What is recorded here

Fort Governor became Philipstown in 1556, honouring Philip II of Spain, and a gaol appeared there by 1598. The prison has no visible remains, but its absence leaves a hole in the town's memory. People may have been locked up for debt, rebellion or ordinary cruelty, while the market continued beside them. Forgetting the prison does not empty the town; it only stops the town remembering why it needed one.

The present town of Daingean had its origins in plantation policy commencing with the building of Fort Governor by Sir William Brabazon in 1546, around which a settlement steadily grew despite attacks from the O'More's and O'Conor's. With the shiring of the territory of Ui Failge in 1556, Fort Falkland and its settlement was renamed Philipstown in honour of Philip II of Spain. In 1567 it was incorporated by charter and granted a weekly market. The corporation was requested to fortify the town with fosses and stone wall and although nothing of these walls (OF018-006005-) survive, there are indications of the former fosse on the E, S and W sides of the town. A further grant of c. 1570 refers to 12 messuages and a water mill (OF018-006006-) within it and in 1598 there is mention of a gaol. Unlocated gaol or prison within the modern town of Daingean. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.