Fortification in Athlone

Between 1128 and 1170, Athlone was the focus of intense activity because it formed the essential bridgehead into Midhe for Toirdhealbhach [Turlough] and Ruaidhri [Rory] Ua Conchobhar [O’Conor], the expansionist Kings of Connacht (Claffey 1970-1, 55). In 1129 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that the 'Caislén Atha Luain' or 'castle of Ath-Luain and the bridge (WM029-042004-) were erected by Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair in the summer of this year, i. e. the summer of the drought' (AFM). This castle or 'Caislén' may have taken the form of an earth and timber enclosure or cashel type fortification. The timber castle was burnt by lightning in 1131 (Ann. Clon.) but it was obviously rebuilt soon afterwards because its destruction by Murchad Ua Mael Sechlainn and Tigernan Ua Ruairc is recorded in c. 1133-4 (AFM sub anno. 1133). Over the next forty years the Annals frequently record the destruction of the bridge and the fortification by the Ua Máel Sechlainn’s of Meath and their subsequent reconstruction by the Ua Conchobhars [O’Conor’s]. In 1153 the annals recorded that the 'wicker bridge (WM029-042004-) of Ath-Luain was destroyed by Maelseachlainn, and its fortress [daingin] was demolished' (AFM). This reference suggests that the fortress was located beside the wooden bridge of Athlone. In 1155 the 'bridge of Ath-Luain (WM029-042004-) was destroyed, and its fortress [longphort] was burned, by Donnchadh, son of Domhnall Ua Maeleachlainn'. The term longphort was used in the Annals to describe this fortification which suggests a riverside location for the fortificaton which was close to a natural harbour and crossing point over the River Shannon. In 1168 the Annals of the Four Masters state that the ‘house (teach) of Ruaidhri Ua Conchobhair’ at Áth Luain was raided by the Cinél Eoghain with the comharba of Derry who took away ‘gold, raiment and many cows’(AFM). The implication of this reference suggests that the King of Connacht had a residence possibly in the form of an earth and timber fortification or cashel at Athlone (Bradley et. al. 1985, 21). It is possible that the Anglo-Norman earth and timber motte castle (WM029-042099-) was constructed on the site of the Gaelic fortification which was located at the fording point and over the River Shannon. Alternatively this pre-Norman fortification may have been located elsewhere within the present town of Athlone. The terminology used to describe the fort varies from 'caislen' and 'caistel' in 1129, to 'dun' in 1134, 'daingin' in 1153; 'longphort' in 1155. It is not clear, however, whether these terms reflect different types of structure or not. Indeed the nature of this fort can hardly be guessed at. Claffey (1970-1, 55) notes that Athlone is one of seven twelfth century pre-Norman castles mentioned in the Annals but nothing is known of the architecture of these castles and it may not be safe to assume that they were ringfort-type structures. The burning of the fort in 1131, however, suggests that it was of timber rather than stone. Furthermore the exact location of the fort is unknown. It may have occupied the site of the present castle (WM029-042002-) but Claffey (1970-1,55) has suggested that the fort may have been on the east bank of the Shannon and has cited the placename 'The Bó-dhun' [bawn] (from Irish 'bó-dhun' cow fort) in the eastern part of the present town as a possible survival from the twelfth century fort. This placename, however, is more likely to be derived from the seventeenth century outwork which protected the Dublin Gate of the 17th century town walls. Whatever its form and location it is evident that the pre-Norman fortification was an important structure and the reference to the raid on the house of Ruaidri Ua Conchobhar in 1168 suggests that the fort may also have functioned as a royal residence (Bradley et. al. 1985, 35). The O'Conor castle may have surived until the year 1210 when it was replaced by the Anglo-Norman stone castle (WM029-042002-) of Athlone. In this year the annals recorded the arrival of the Bishop of Norwich, justiciar of Ireland, who came to Athlone where 'a bridge (WM029-042004-) was constructed by him across Ath-Luain, and a castle (WM029-042002-) instead of O'Conchobhair's castle'(ALC). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 November 2013