Glencastle
Gleann Chaisil | |
---|---|
Townland | |
Coordinates: 54°11′N 9°53′W / 54.183°N 9.883°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Connacht |
County | County Mayo |
Population (2011)
[1] | 38 |
(Glencastle townland only) |
Glencastle ( Irish: Gleann Chaisil) [2] is a small village, electoral division and townland in the northwest of County Mayo, Ireland. The townland of Glencastle has an area of approximately 2,337 acres (9.46 km2). [3]
Glencastle is a mountain valley which was once known as the gateway to the Mullet Peninsula. [4] In the middle of this glen stands an ancient fort called "Dun Donnell" or the fort of Domhnall. Domhnall was, according to legend, of the Gamanraige tribe and an ascendant of Ailill Finn, the husband of Flidhais, and involved in the tale of Táin Bó Flidhais. [5] As part of the cycle of Celtic folklore and legends, Domhnall used to close the gates of Erris at night levying tolls on passers-by. [6] [7]
The remains of this fortification are now three large mounds which have never been archaeologically investigated. [4] There are views of Broadhaven Bay and Blacksod Bay from the fort.
The O'Caithnaidhs, who were chiefs of Erris before the Norman Invasion in the 12th century, had their stronghold in Glencastle. They were defeated by the O'Connors who then took over the fort until 1303 when it was conquered by the Anglo-Norman Barrett family. By 1540, the Barrett's castle in Glencastle was so well known that the English called Erris, 'Arrus Dundohmnaill'.[ citation needed] For the next two hundred years, the Barretts wielded their influence in church and civil affairs.[ citation needed]
There are a number of earlier archaeological monuments recorded in Glencastle townland, including several ring fort and cairn sites. [8] A number of other megalithic structures were destroyed in the 19th century, including one, described by engineer Patrick Knight as a "Druidical altar" or " cromlech", which was demolished during the construction of the Belmullet/Bangor road in the 1820s. [9]
Thomas Johnson Westropp, an antiquarian who visited the Erris area in the early 20th century, wrote the following of Glencastle in 1912: [10]
[Domhnall would] close the gates of Erris at night levying tolls on passers-by
Some Druidical altars, or cromlechs, have had existence in Erris. I destroyed one in Glencastle, by making the public road through it
Glencastle
Gleann Chaisil | |
---|---|
Townland | |
Coordinates: 54°11′N 9°53′W / 54.183°N 9.883°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Connacht |
County | County Mayo |
Population (2011)
[1] | 38 |
(Glencastle townland only) |
Glencastle ( Irish: Gleann Chaisil) [2] is a small village, electoral division and townland in the northwest of County Mayo, Ireland. The townland of Glencastle has an area of approximately 2,337 acres (9.46 km2). [3]
Glencastle is a mountain valley which was once known as the gateway to the Mullet Peninsula. [4] In the middle of this glen stands an ancient fort called "Dun Donnell" or the fort of Domhnall. Domhnall was, according to legend, of the Gamanraige tribe and an ascendant of Ailill Finn, the husband of Flidhais, and involved in the tale of Táin Bó Flidhais. [5] As part of the cycle of Celtic folklore and legends, Domhnall used to close the gates of Erris at night levying tolls on passers-by. [6] [7]
The remains of this fortification are now three large mounds which have never been archaeologically investigated. [4] There are views of Broadhaven Bay and Blacksod Bay from the fort.
The O'Caithnaidhs, who were chiefs of Erris before the Norman Invasion in the 12th century, had their stronghold in Glencastle. They were defeated by the O'Connors who then took over the fort until 1303 when it was conquered by the Anglo-Norman Barrett family. By 1540, the Barrett's castle in Glencastle was so well known that the English called Erris, 'Arrus Dundohmnaill'.[ citation needed] For the next two hundred years, the Barretts wielded their influence in church and civil affairs.[ citation needed]
There are a number of earlier archaeological monuments recorded in Glencastle townland, including several ring fort and cairn sites. [8] A number of other megalithic structures were destroyed in the 19th century, including one, described by engineer Patrick Knight as a "Druidical altar" or " cromlech", which was demolished during the construction of the Belmullet/Bangor road in the 1820s. [9]
Thomas Johnson Westropp, an antiquarian who visited the Erris area in the early 20th century, wrote the following of Glencastle in 1912: [10]
[Domhnall would] close the gates of Erris at night levying tolls on passers-by
Some Druidical altars, or cromlechs, have had existence in Erris. I destroyed one in Glencastle, by making the public road through it