What is recorded here

Sit of Breifny Castle is a ruined tower house in the centre of Leitrim village, thirty metres from the canalised stream that becomes the River Shannon four hundred metres away. It changed hands from MacRaghnall to O'Rourke, was destroyed in 1580 to keep it from Sir Nicholas Malby, rebuilt, besieged again, and became the last stronghold of Brian Óg O'Rourke before his flight in 1603. Thirteen metres of mortared limestone still stand where guns, feet and fear once moved through stone.

Situated in the centre of Leitrim village c. 30m from the N bank of the Ballinamore and Ballyconnell canal, which at this point is a canalised stream, and c. 400m from its junction with the River Shannon. The castle, undoubtedly a tower house, was originally a MacRaghnall stronghold with references in 1491 and 1499 (McDermott 2019, 116-18), but by 1540 it was in the hands of Brian Ballach O'Rourke (AFM), probably to intimidate the MacRaghnall and other families of Muintir Eolis and to harass his enemy of the moment, Mac Dermot of Moylurg. The castle was destroyed in 1580 by Brian of the Ramparts O'Rourke to prevent it falling to Sir Nicholas Malby. Sir Nicholas rebuilt and garrisoned it, but the castle was immediately besieged by O'Rourke and abandoned by its garrison shortly afterwards (AFM). In January 1603, after the defeat of Kinsale, Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare arrived at Leitrim castle with only thirty five from the thousand or so followers with whom he had started the long march from Dunboy, Co. Cork. Brian Óg O'Rourke, who was the last leader to remain in rebellion, was finally besieged at Leitrim castle. In April Brian Óg fled to Rosa-Iarla friary (GA041-047----) near Lough Corrib, where he died in January 1604 (Mac an Ghalloglaigh 1971, 238). A length of mortared uncoursed limestone masonry (L 13m; H 2.8m; T 0.8m) survives with two small openings (dims 0.3m x 0.25m) which may be part of the bawn wall. Archaeological testing (04E0160) of an extensive area just to the NE produced no related material (Read 2007). (McParlan 1802, 103-4; Lewis vol. 1, 837, vol. 2, 256; O'Flanagan 1929, 105-6; Herity 2012, 402) See the attached view from the Down Survey barony map (N at left) 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: 6 March 2017

Built by the O'Rourke dynasty of Bréifne in the 13th century, Sit of Breifny Castle was an important stronghold in medieval Leitrim, reflecting the strategic and political influence of the local Gaelic chieftains.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.