Clonreher Castle (in Ruins)

Probably owned by the O'Dowlings, one of the seven septs of Laois before it was granted to John Dunkirley by the crown in 1550. It later belonged to the Hartpoles of Shrule (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 191,193). In 1576 Robert Hartpole of Carlow was granted the ‘manor of the Blackeforde (LA014-045----), a castle in Monyferricke (LA014-100----), Rathmadocke alias the Blackeforde, the lands of Moniferick, Rathmadock alias the Blackeforde, Kilteighan, Garrans, Kilgessin, Ballekilkavan, Dromlin alias Killiclery, Inche alias Ballicowley, and Bavon an old castle in Colvanacre (LA008-015----) alias Colbanahore [Coolbanagher], the lands of Colvanacre alias Colbanahore, Ballarighan, Killgenne, Ballenebeg, Shanebeg, Ballemolrone, and Ballenestraghe, the lands of Shrowle [Shrule] (LA032-012001-), Ballyhormer, Ballecollin, Rathduf, Garribriken, Aghatenan, and Cappescribedor, in the lordship of Slemarge, a ruinous castle and lands in Clonrere [Clonreher] (LA013-019----) alias Merickeston, lands in Cultwerin, Killclonhoberd, Ballekillkaraghe, Knockandiere, Rathnemanaghe, and lands of Killehide, Ballehide, Garrenoe, Ballinecard, Farrinduf, Rossemore, and Ballim’Kegane, in the lordship of Slemarge, the lands of Ballirahen, Rossenalgan, Garroughe, Dormoile, and Capoile, or Cappahoile, in the same lordship; the advowson of the rectory of S. Fenton [Fintan], of Clowenenaghe [Clonenagh] (LA017-003001-), diocese of Leighlen, all in Queen’s co.. To hold for ever, by the service of a fouth part of a knight’s fee; rent £26 1s. 2d., Maintaining six English horsemen’ (Nicholls 1994, 376). A four storey high tower house (dims. 11.75m N-S; 9.45m E-W) built of greywacke, with projecting towers at NE and SW angles which are five storeys high. All lights are simple slits except for a two-light pointed arch window in E wall and some modern rectangular shaped ones. There is no dressed stonewwork or base-batter. The original doorway cannot be identified. There is a N-S barrel vault with a loft over the ground floor, and a mural passage in E wall at loft level, while a spiral stairs in SE angle leads to upper floors which are inaccessible. The SW tower has a barrel-vaulted roof with wicker-centring and a garderobe in a small chamber at first floor level (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 191,193). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: David Sweetman Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 16 November 2015

Clonreher Castle was originally held by the O'Dowlings, a sept of Laois, before being granted to John Dunkirley by the English crown in 1550, reflecting the Tudor policy of colonizing Ireland through land redistribution. It later passed to the Hartpole family, indicating its role in the evolving landownership patterns of the region.