Castle

The precise location of Béal Átha Ludh Castle has not been identified. This castle belonged to Sir John MacCoghlan in the early years of the 17th century and was strategically located in order to monitor traffic along the River Shannon and control movement of people along a dryland route between the village of Lusmagh and the town of Banagher (Mac Cuarta 1987, 169). This latter route was a roadway connecting the province of Munster to Leinster and Connaught via the town of Banagher and was suitable for the movement of horsemen as described in 1620 by Matthew De Renzi. Its Gaelic place-name suggests that the castle was constructed on a fording point of the River Shannon in medieval times. An early 17th century map of Garrycastle barony places the site of the castle in close proximity to Fort Eliza. It is possible that this 19th century Fort Eliza was built on the site of the medieval castle. The head of a late medieval two-light ogee-headed window (OF021-009----) with stepped or sunken spandrels was uncovered during recent clearance of vegetation inside Fort Eliza. This fortification was constructed 70m S of the Shannon River and 480m W of the historic town of Banagher (OF021-003----). Fort Falkland (OF021-003007-) a 17th century fortification built on the site of Banagher Castle (OF021-003010-) lies 270m to NE with medieval parish church ruins (OF021-003001-) 580m to NW. The window fragment may have come from Béal Átha Ludh Castle. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 5 May 2017

Béal Átha Ludh Castle was held by Sir John MacCoghlan in the early 17th century and was strategically important for monitoring traffic along the River Shannon. Its location, though now unconfirmed, highlights the significance of riverine strongholds in early modern Irish defense and trade.