Castle — unclassified in Clonygowan

Unlocated O'Dempsey castle within the townland of Clonygowan that is indicated on the Down Survey (1645-7) barony map (Loeber 1988, vol. 2, 44-5; NLI, MS 716). According to the OS Letters compiled in 1839 'The village of Clonygowan, lying about three miles to the northwest of Portarlingtion in the parish of Ballykene, contained a residence of the branch of the O'Dempsy's, as there are no ruins of a castle there, I suppose that it was only a wooden house, surrounded by a "sconce".' (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 2). According to the OS letters the castle may have been located near a big house in the Village of Clonygowan. They describe the castle location as located near 'Clonygowan ( Gentleman's Seat) Close to the village of Clonygowan. There are some remains of old walls about the house and gardens, which would seem to indicate that there had been a castle here' (OSNB 1837-40, Vol 1). This Gentleman's seat may be a reference to Clonygowan House which is marked on OS sheet number 33 on the 1912 edition of the OS 6-inch map. This house has since been levelled and the castle may have been located on the site of the house or in the fields surrounding the site of Clonygowan House (NGR 247902/215171). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011