Clogh Castle (in ruins)

Situated on a SW-facing slope in a low-lying landscape. According to Smith (1742, 52) there were towers at the four corners but the centre of the 'castle' was open, suggesting it may have been fortified as a bawn, but there is no evidence of corner towers. It is marked as an Abbey ruin on a Taylor and Skinner map (1778, 128), but it has been interpreted as a castle by Ryland (1824, 324). This is a rectangular grass-covered area (dims. 47m E-W; 34m N-S) defined by a moat (Wth 14-15m; max. D 1.1-1.4m) at N, E and S, with a roadway at W. The perimeter at the N end of the W side is fortified by a wall (L c. 10m; Wth 1.8m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.5m). Ryland, Rev. R. H. (1824) The History, topography and antiquities of the county and city of Waterford. John Murray. London. Smith, C. (1746) The history of the town and county of Waterford. W. Wilson. Dublin. Taylor, G. and Skinner, A. (1778) Maps of the roads of Ireland. Reprint 1969, ed. by J. H. Andrews. Irish University Press. Shannon. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 August 2011