What is recorded here

OLoughlin's Castle is a phantom name dropped onto ordinary Clare stone, while the real castle sat nearby in Ballymahony. Under the false label, five houses ring an open cashel centre, their walls thick enough to bear chambers, kitchens or bedrooms for the families who divided the place between them. The error does not erase the residence; it redirects pride from a grand castle to the stubborn continuity of domestic life.

Listed as ‘Castle’ in the SMR (1992) and RMP (1996) as it named ‘Site of O’Loughlin’s Castle’ on the 1840 OS 6-inch map. According to FitzPatrick (2008, 59) the castle name on the map is in error and is likely to refer to the castle in Ballymahony townland (CL009-014002-) a short distance to the S. The foundations of a house (ext. L 8.8m NW-SE; 6.5m NE-SW; int. dims. 12m x 5m; wall T 0.95-1.1m) oriented ENE-WSW lie in the S portion of Cahermacnaghten cashel (CL009-001010-). A break in the wall footings at the W end of the N wall marks an entrance. A smaller house (ext. dims. 10m x 6m) (CL009-001051-) adjoins the W gable and abuts the cashel wall. Two other houses (CL009-001049- and CL009-001050-) lie in the N portion of the interior and a fifth (CL009-001052-) lies nearest the cashel entrance. All the houses are arranged around perimeter leaving the centre open. FitzPatrick (ibid.) cites a reference to Aodh and Cosnamhach Ó Dabhoireann who divided the contents of the cashel between them in the early 17th century. A deed of 1606 also mentions that the houses had also been the property of their grandfather. Cahermacnaghten is a National Monument in state care, no. 354. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 17 July 2018

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