What is recorded here

Donaghmore Castle vanished before human memory, leaving only a truncated cone of earth beside St. Patrick's holy well in County Laois. The moat still stands twenty-two feet high, but the castle has given up all visible claim to the land. What remains is a shape without a story, waiting beside a graveyard and a sealed well for someone to remember what it held.

Donaghmore Castle was mentioned in documents dating to 1571 and 1621 (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 352). No visible surface remains. Castle may have been located on top of the motte (LA028-024001-). Described by Carrigan as 'St. Patrick's holy well (LA028-023----) is a little to the north-west of the graveyard (LA028-025001-), but it is now closed, a great rock having been rolled into it about 1845. Beside the well is Donnaghmore "Moat" (LA028-024001-) a truncated cone, 11 yds. in diameter at the top and about 22 ft. high. There is neither trace nor tidings of Donnaghmore Castle, though it is mentioned in documents of 1571 and 1621 (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 352). 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. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Built by an unknown local lord, likely in the late 16th or early 17th century, Donaghmore Castle is remembered for its historical mentions in 1571 and 1621, reflecting its role in the period's evolving land and political structures in Ireland.

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