What is recorded here

A rectangular stone tower in County Clare, Ireland is mislabelled as a windmill when its shape and missing doors suggest a watchtower instead. It stands on a low rock pinnacle above a seasonal lake, preserving one south wall while the others fade into grass. The false name implies sails and flour, but the evidence points to a small defensive structure built to watch the land rather than grind grain.

Situated on a low pinnacle of rock outcrop with a turlough to the S. Named ‘Windmill (in ruins)’ on the 1842 OS 6-inch map. The base of a rectangular tower survives (ext. dims. 4.55m N-S; 4.65m E-W; int. dims. 2.75m N-S; 2.5m E-W). The S wall (Wth 1.05m; int. H 0.95m, ext. H 1.3m) is best preserved and the other walls can barely be traced. This may have been a watchtower rather than a windmill given its rectangular shape, lack of doorways and very small interior. (Brew 1991, 15) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 11 July 2016

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