BALLYCOWAN CASTLE

Map Reference: N294253

This is a large rectangular building with a small eastward projection near the SE corner. Most of the SW corner of the main building has fallen. The entrance is in the E wall of the small wing and was protected by a machicolation. The lower part of the main stairway rose within the entrance projection and the upper levels were probably reached by a straight stair within the S wall. The main building is four storeys high with a vault above the ground floor rooms. There are many mullioned windows throughout the building. There are tall chimney stacks on the W and N walls and a bartizan at the NE corner. The castle was built in 1626 by the Herbert family.

CLONMACNOIS

Map Reference: N010307

Clonmacnoise was founded in 548 by St Ciaran. It became one of the greatest centres of medieval learning in Ireland. The buildings which exist today are no older than the 10th century and include two Round Towers, two High Crosses and at least seven churches. Excavation revealed many intact and fragmentary cross-inscribed grave markers. For many years they were exhibited on the site but have now been removed for safe-keeping. Similarly the two High Crosses have been removed from their original positions to within the visitor's centre in order to preserve the carvings which are of high quality. They have been replaced by accurate copies. The Cross of the Scriptures which is richly decorated with Biblical scenes has one panel showing St Ciaran and Prince Dermot erecting the corner-post of the church at Clonmacnoise. This scene may never have happened since there is no evidence that the saint and prince ever met. The cross was erected in the 10th century under the patronage of King Flann who was a descendant of Dermot. The Cathedral has a finely decorated north doorway with figures of St Patrick, St Francis and St Dominic. There are some fine examples of Romanesque decoration particularly in Temple Fighin.

THE NUNS' CHURCH, CLONMACNOIS

The Nun's Church stands a short distance away from the main collection at Clonmacnois. This church was erected in the 12th century under the patronage of Dervorgilla who was abducted by Dermot McMurrough and thus became indirectly responsible for the Norman invasion. The decoration of the doorway and chancel arch of this church is considered to be some of the finest Romanesque art in Ireland.

CLONMACNOIS CASTLE

Map Reference: N007305

This ruined castle was possibly built in 1220 by John de Grey. The shattered remains of a gatehouse and a keep sit on a motte close to the bank of the Shannon. It is surrounded by a deep ditch and a large bank except on the side near the river where there may have been a bailey.

CLONONY CASTLE

Map Reference: N052205

Clonony Castle dates from the 16th century and was lived in until modern times. It sits on a rocky outcrop at the SE corner of a bawn. The gateway to the bawn is in the W wall and is protected by a machicolation. There are remains of flanking towers at the NW, SW and SE corners. All the flankers are well provided with defensive loops. The N wall is missing. The entrance to the tower is in the W wall and there are traces of a machicolation at roof level. A spiral stairway rises to the right of the entrance. The ground floor room has a small window in the N wall and a large window in the S wall set within a deep recess. There are possible fireplaces in the E wall at ground floor and first floor levels. There was a vault above the second floor and the walls were plastered. There appears to be a small chamber at the first floor in the S wall near the E end. The windows at the first floor in the E and S walls and the NW corner are set within deep recesses. There is a passage along the W wall at the first floor and a murder-hole leading from this guards the doorway. The stairway is broken above first floor level and does not appear to continue beyond the vault.

SHRAH CASTLE, TULLAMORE

Map Reference: N328251

A short distance to the W of Tullamore, on the bank of the Grand Canal, stands the ruin of Shrah Castle, built in 1588. It is four storeys high with a fragmentary doorway in the W wall. There is a later building attached to the W and N. This is very fragmentary, the most complete feature being the W gable which has a fireplace. The doorway to the tower-house is protected by a murder-hole and a machicolation. There is also a very fine gun-loop to the left of the doorway. Inside the tower is completely gutted. The western section consists of a vertical series of small rooms with large rooms in the eastern section. The small room at the second floor has a flat vault with very fine wicker-marks. There is no vault in the eastern section. A spiral stairway rose in the NW corner. It is very fragmentary except at the upper level. There is a fireplace in the N wall at the first floor and the chimney stack is still in place. The castle was defended by bartizans at the second floor level in the SW and NE corners. The SW bartizan is almost complete but the other has almost disappeared. Below the SW bartizan is a two-light corner window. There is a narrow slit below the other bartizan. There are two-light windows in the N and E walls at the ground floor but otherwise the castle is lit by narrow loops. In the E wall there is a cross-shaped loop and a round loop, and near the base of the wall is a latrine chute exit.