Site of Old Castle — Coolnashinny OR Croaghan

In the Hearth Money Roll during the reign of Charles II (1660-85) Dame Mary Craig was charged had two hearths at a house at Croghan (Davies 1948a, 124). A subrectangular area described as the site of an Old Castle is marked on the 1835 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and it is also outlined on the 1910 ed. as a subrectangular area (dims c. 55m E-W; c. 50m N-S) defined by field banks and what is probably a double field bank on the E side and adjacent pares of the N and S. A circular, free-standing, two-storey tower (int. diam. 2.8m) constructed of rubble masonry survives at the SW angle with the doorway facing NE into the bawn enclosure and simple rectangular slit windows. This may have been adapted as a mausoleum with a corbelled roof over the ground floor. (Wilsdon 2010, 186-91) An undated but probably 19th century headstone which commemorates Rev. George Carson and his wife Mary that was in the tower is now at Croghan House c. 130m to the N. He may have been a minister at the Presbyterian church in Croaghan, c. 270m to the SSW. The headstone or memorial is inscribed in both cursive and roman lettering and reads: Here lies the body of the Revd. George Carson / wishing for the Resurrection of the Just / Who when living was / a S____ of Christian liberty / and to whom Christ ___ as both / Vici V____ & Veritus / as also Mary Carson his wife The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 15 April, 2016