Why this matters
Walter Harrison received a grant of 1500, likely referring to lands or rights associated with Harrisons Castle—Sradoon, indicating his role in holding the site during the late medieval period. The castle is remembered for its strategic location at the narrowest point of a river loop, which would have provided natural defensive advantages.
What is recorded here
Situated at the E end of and at the narrowest point of an old loop (dims c. 80m NE-SW; c. 40m NW-SE) of the Bonet River which has silted up but is still wet (Wth c. 10m; D c. 1m). Walter Harrison received a grant of 1500 acres in 1621-2 as the manor of Dunbrandon (Mac an Ghalloglaigh 1971, 254). The curving wall of a corner-tower (int. diam. 3.6m; H 5m; T 1.15m) survives with a small light and an internal recess (Wth 1.3m; D 0.6m; H 2m) at the ground floor, and a window at first floor level. There is part of a wall (L 1.2m) attached to N, with a putlog. The loop of the river would have served as a natural bawn or court. According to local tradition, the first-floor window is that through which Dervogilla, the wife of Tiernan O'Rourke, eloped with Diarmuid Mac Murrough (Faughnan 1943, file no. 140). (McDermott 2019, 115-6)
The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 23 September 2008
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