ODowds Castle

Situated in level pasture. Rectangular, three storey with attic, gable-ended, limestone built structure (19.8m ENE-WSW; 9m NNW-SSW ; Wall T 1.5m) with base batter. At ground floor level there are three slit opes in the SSE wall, two in the WSW wall and two in the NNW wall. All, with the exception of one round-headed example in the NNW wall, are square headed and chamfered. All have had their embrasures filled in. The original entrance is in the centre of the SSE wall. A large, broken-out opening in the NNW wall may mark a secondary entrance. The modern entrance is in the centre of the ENE wall. At first floor level there are two slit opes with hood-moulding in the ENE wall. There is one square-headed and chamfered window in the SSE wall and two in the WSW wall. In the NNW and SSE walls are four and three large rectangular windows respectively. These are later insertions. At second floor level there are single slit opes in the ENE, SSE, and WSW walls. In the NNW and SSE walls there are four and 3 large rectangular windows respectively. These are later insertions. Access to the battlements is via a round-headed, two-centred doorway at the SSE end of the ENE wall. There are large chimney stacks at each gable and a walk-way between the chimney stacks and the battlements. There are bartizans at the WNW and ESE angles. There are large blocked-up fireplaces in both gables at 1st and 2nd floor levels. The floors were supported by corbels. Draughting on the corbels and on other stonework suggests that the structure dates to around the middle of the 17th century. Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 19 January 2011

Built by the O'Dowd family, likely in the 17th or 18th century. It is remembered as a historic family seat associated with the prominent O'Dowd clan of Westmeath, reflecting the region's Gaelic heritage.