What is recorded here

Three castles at Cloonlahan (Geoghegan) in County Galway vanished before anyone marked them, leaving only a 1574 list and two adjoining townlands where they may have stood. Conor McHugh, Auly Oge and Amacha McHugh are named as possessors, yet no wall, doorway or foundation has reappeared to confirm which ground they held. The absence is not empty; it is a room with the furniture removed, waiting for someone to remember where the doors were.

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 historical record of Gaelic landholding in the region during the Tudor period.

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