What is recorded here

Three castles at Cloonlahan in 1574 belonged to Conor McHugh, Auly Oge and Amacha McHugh, yet no stones or marks remain for them to hide behind. They may have been wood, rope and fire, built to watch the land and vanished when the watch ended. The two adjoining townlands still carry the name, preserving the shape of what the men held and the world forgot.

In the list of castles in Galway, compiled in 1574, are three at 'Cloynelehare' in the barony of Longford, then in possession of 'Conor McHugh, Auly Oge and Amacha McHugh' (Nolan 1901, 110). There are two adjoining townlands called Cloonlahan in the barony: Cloonlahan (Eyre) and Cloonlahan (Geoghegan). The castles (GA099-199001-, GA099-199002- and GA099-199003-) referred to presumably stood somewhere within their confines. Not located. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 26 May 2017

Built or held in the late 16th century by members of the McHugh family in the barony of Longford, County Galway. It is remembered as part of the medieval castle landscape of Galway and reflects the local Gaelic lordship structures of the time.

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