Prison Island — Gowly

Situated on a rock outcrop pinnacle in mixed woodland about 10m from the S shore of Prison Island, which is in the central part of Lough Scur. This structure was reputedly built as a prison, probably by John Reynolds of Castle John (LE024-050---), which is c. 150m to the S across the lake, in 1612 when he was the sheriff of Leitrim (Mac an Ghalloglaigh 1971, 236). It may have been regarded as a prison (Lewis 1837, vol. 2, 217) because of annalistic references to the taking or keeping of prisoners at Lough Scur. Both features are marked on the Down Survey (1656-8) barony and parish maps at Lough Skure (No. 42). However, this structure is more likely to have been built as a watchtower. It is a roofless, rectangular, three-storey structure (int. dims 5.3m NE-SW; 3.95m NW-SE; H c. 5m) built of randomly coursed limestone mortared masonry (Wth 1m) with dressed quoins and a rubble core but overgrown with ivy. There is a flat-arched doorway (Wth 1m; H 2.45m) at the first floor on the NE side, and there is a fireplace, four gun-loops or small lights (int. H 0.94m; int. Wth 0.52m; ext. H 0.37m; Wth 0.08m) and a small window at this floor. There are two gun-loops or lights in each wall at the ground floor and there are the remains of a fireplace, at least three gun-loops or lights and a small window at the second floor. The first floor is supported on corbels but access between the floors must have been by internal wooden ladder. (McDermott 2019, 118) See the attached view from the Down Survey parish map (N at right) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 717). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revised upload: 13 January 2017