Gortnaclea Castle (in Ruins)

In the ownership of Donal Fitzpatrick in 1566; the Black Earl of Ormond was held prisoner here by Owney O'Moore in April 1600 (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 53-4). In an elevated position W of the Gully River. A five-storey tower house (dims. c. 9-8m N-S, c. 11.8m E-W; wall T 2.4m) with base-batter, built of randomly coursed rubble with large limestone quoins. Entrance in N wall; stairwell in NE angle. An E-W barrel vault with wicker-centring over the third floor. Mural passage at first and second floor in N wall leads to a garderobe in NW angle. Remains of a gable with mural passage at wall-walk level of W wall. Single-light and twin-light windows mostly. In the W wall there are on the first, second and third floors, single-light round-headed windows of punched dressed limestone. S of the first floor ope in the W wall there is a musket loop. The doorways are constructed with large limestone blocks, hammer dressed and with two centred arches. Evidence of small rectangular chambers in SW angle, access from the main chamber, but now destroyed. The wooden floors were carried on corbels. Doorway at second floor level in E wall leads from main floor to SE chamber. Fireplace in second floor level in the W section of S wall. Evidence of line of destroyed bawn wall (LA023-016001-) to N and W of tower house. Described by Carrigan as 'The castle of Gortnaclea stands on the brow of a slope, over the Gully River, which here seperates Ossory from Leix. It consisted of a massive keep 31 ft. square externally, with a projecting eastern wing, now destroyed, in which were situated the entrance door and the spiral stairway. The keep is still fairly perfect. Its side-walls are 9 ft. thick from top to bottom, the end walls, 8 ft. thick. By an unusual arrangement, the great stone arch supports the top or fifth storey. The earliest mentioned occupant of this castle is 'Donyl Fitzpatrick of Gorteneclohe, gentleman', who received a pardon, June 30th, 1566' (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 54). 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

Donal Fitzpatrick held Gortnaclea Castle in 1566, and it is notable for imprisoning the Black Earl of Ormond, James FitzThomas Fitzgerald, there in April 1600 by Owney O'Moore. The castle's strategic location and role in early 17th-century conflicts highlight its historical significance.