Indicated — Aughinish East

On Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina) but excavated in 1974 prior to this industrial development (Lynch 1974). Excavations revealed the base of a bawn wall (Wth 2.2m) enclosing a 'roughly circular' area (c. 80m N-S; c. 60m E-W), with well cobbled entrance on S side (Wth 3.5m). Whilst 'legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep' (ibid.) considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, revealing the base of 'a domed oven' (ibid.). Finds included sherds of late and post-medieval pottery, a wide range of iron objects, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the late 17th century. Also uncovered were the skeletons of 31 individuals, 'of which 'the majority were young children and babies' (ibid.). This latter suggests the presence of a burial ground for unbaptised children (killeen) (www.excavations.ie). The results of the excavation were summarised as following; 'Legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep of the castle, so the excavation had to be confined to the bawn only. The castle itself, which dates to the late 16th — early 17th centuries, appeared to be set in a roughly circular enclosure, indicated by a low ridge showing in the grass. A preliminary trial trench was cut on the northern side of the site and this revealed the base of the bawn wall. This wall, which was well-built, averaged 2.20m in thickness and was built directly on the limestone bedrock. Subsequent trial trenches succeeded in picking up the line of the wall. It was roughly circular in plan with no evidence of towers. An entrance to the bawn area was found on the southern side; it is about 3.0m wide and well cobbled with small rounded stones. To the east of the castle, a portion of the bawn wall appears to have been built on an artificially constructed ‘platform’ of loose stones and earth. This ‘platform’ which is approx. 1.0m high, would have been necessary to make this area level with the adjacent field. No evidence was found of a ditch outside the wall. An interesting feature uncovered by the excavation, was a square-built structure, 3.40m x 3.40m, situated in the northern area of the bawn. Built on the square base was a roughly circular setting of stones. Extending from the square base was a thick layer of charcoal. Complete excavation revealed that the core of the structure was composed entirely of rubble. The only find was a badly corroded iron knife. This structure seems best interpreted as the base for a domed oven, of the type found on medieval sites. Considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, and in the process, thirty-one skeletons were uncovered. Of these, thirty were concentrated in a small area, immediately north of the castle, the remaining one having been found in the southern area. Preliminary examination of these skeletons has revealed that the majority were young children and babies. Finds from the site include: animal bone; sherds of late and post-medieval pottery; a wide range of iron objects; clay-pipe fragments; a blue glass bead; a bronze disc-headed pin, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the reign of Charles 11(1683). (www.excavations.ie). According to local information part of ruin stood to a considerable height until 1930s when 'deemed unsafe and demolished' (Donnelly 1994, vol. 2, 15). By 1974 only visible remains of castle were some 'masonry fragments incorporated in a modern garden wall' (ibid.). Westropp (1906-7, 241-2) gives the following details about Aughinish Castle; 'The owners appear to have been, 1584-1601, Tiege O'Donogh or O'Dufiie, Aghanes or Aghnes Island (Inq. Exch, 54; Fi. 6566), and, 1604, R. Lyster, subject to dower of his mother Marg. Bourke (Inq. Chan, viii, 237). 1613 Sir J. Jephson, Aghniss, as part of estate of Monaster ny gillagh (Ib., 5a). 1616 Sir E. Berkeley, at his death. 1642 besieged (Dep. 302). 1655 F. Courtney (C.S. p. 95). Fabric - A long building about 65 feet [21m] by 28 feet [9m] wide, with three rooms and the remains of a fourth and western'. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 13 May 2020