Why this matters
Built by Anglo-Norman settlers in the 12th or 13th century, Castle — ringwork in Lea — served as a strategic stronghold in the colonization of the Barrow region. Its remains are important as a rare example of a ringwork castle in low-lying terrain, illustrating early medieval military adaptation to local geography.
What is recorded here
Large Anglo-Norman fortress (LA005-006-) situated in low lying ground close to the S bank of river Barrow. In the nineteenth century the castle (LA005-006-) was described as 'the ruins of the central keep, surrounded by a very extensive fortified bawn, whose walls on the north side are washed by the Barrow when it is in flood. Originally it was surrounded by a broad water-trench (Wth 10m). The remains of the gateway, containing the portcullis was a small castle in itself. The keep was an oblong building, having a large round tower at each angle (the northern one alone now stands), similar in construction to the Le Marshall Castle of Carlow (JKAS 1904, iv, pp. 344-5). This water filled fosse or trench may be the remains of an earlier ringwork which was built to accomodate a wooden castle and/or to fortify an early stone castle.
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 17 December 2007
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