Castlebawn is a 16th-century tower house, in County Clare, Ireland. It is on a small island on Lough Derg on the River Shannon, it is connected to the shore of Bealkelly by a man-made causeway. ^[1] It was built by the McNamaras about 1540, severely damaged in 1827, but is now restored although public access is not permitted to the castle. ^[2]

History

Castlebawn was built by Owen McNamara during an unknown year in the 16th century. The earliest recorded mention of Castlebawn is 1570, when Sean McNamara, Chief of eastern Clann-Cuilein, died, leaving Castlebawn to his son, Sir John McNamara. ^[2] The McNamaras lived there until the 17th century.^{[ citation needed]}

In 1820 it became a den for illicit poitín makers ^[1] and in 1827 the authorities besieged the towerhouse to drive the occupants out. ^[3] After the towerhouse was emptied the authorities attempted to demolish the building with explosives. Only the south wall and roof were destroyed. The remaining walls although damaged remained intact. ^[3] The castle was so well built that three of the walls remained intact. ^[4]

Simon Flannery occupied the castle early in the 20th century, and locally the castle is still referred to as Simon's Castle. ^{[2] [3]}

In 1929 the construction of the Ardnacrusha power plant caused the water level in Lough Derg to rise significantly shrinking the island on which the towerhouse stands. ^[3]

Restoration

It was restored from ruin by Pat and Mary Cody ^[4]

References

52°53′56.18″N 8°28′46.76″W / 52.8989389°N 8.4796556°W / 52.8989389; -8.4796556