What is recorded here

St. Marcans Castle in County Mayo, Ireland is a crannog: an artificial island platform, often timber and earth, built among shallow water so people could live, store, worship or resist beyond the reach of ordinary raids. The name suggests a Christian anchor beside the water, perhaps a chapel, a pilgrimage stop or a family claim dressed in sanctity. The castle part may be later pride, local invention or a changed use, yet the shape remains plausible because crannogs were tools of control in landscapes where land was scarce and visibility mattered.

The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

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