What is recorded here
Cahergal Castle belonged to Edmund McUilligs Sonnes in 1574, yet no tower or trench remains visible today. A forgotten stone slab embedded in a cowshed wall is all that survives, waiting to be read. The castle vanished into ordinary farm life, keeping its name only in a list and its shape only in a buried marker.
In the list of castles in Galway, compiled in 1574, is one at 'Caher geale' in the barony of Dunkellin, then in the possession of 'Edmund McUilligs Sonnes' (Nolan 1901, 113). Not located: however, a poorly preserved inscribed stone slab (see GA104-079----), found in the wall of a cowshed in the S part of the townland, may possibly be related.
Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG
Date of upload: 31 May 2017
Built or held in the late 16th century by Edmund McUilligs Sonnes in the barony of Dunkellin. It is remembered as part of the historical record of Galway's castles and the Gaelic landholding families of the period.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Field system in BallynascraghField system · 460 yd
Structure in BallynascraghStructure · 465 yd
Saint Killian's Catholic Churchchurch/chapel · 571 yd
Cregg Castle (in ruins)Castle, tower house · 1335 yd
CarnanthomasCastle, unclassified · 1510 yd
Moyard WoodWood · 4.6 mi
Blake's IslandIslet · 4.8 mi
Kilcornan ForestWood · 6.8 mi
KnocknarebanaMountain / peak · 9.0 mi
MweenisharanIslet · 9.8 mi