A Survey of Monuments of Archaeological and Historical Interest in the Barony of Bunratty Lower, Co. Clare: Part 4: Castles and tower houses c.1500: Chapter 43: Kilnasoolagh Parish: Dromoland Castle (Tower House?) (Site of)

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Clare Archaeology

A Survey of Monuments of Archaeological and Historical Interest in the Barony of Bunratty Lower, Co. Clare by William Gerrard Ryan

Part 4: Castles and tower houses c.1500
Chapter 43: Kilnasoolagh Parish

DROMOLAND CASTLE (TOWER HOUSE?) (Site of)

Nat. Grid Ref. R391690; ½” Sheet 17

R.C. Parish :	Newmarket-on-Fergus
Townland :	Dromoland
6” O.S. Sheet number :	42 (Co. Clare)
Reference :	7.3 cm South; 34.3 cm West
Height (G.L.) :	100’ O.D.
1” O.S. Sheet number :	133 (Sixmilebridge)

No trace now remains of the original Dromoland Castle which in all probability was a Tower House. Field examination noted its site – a natural outcrop of rock on land that slopes from south-west to north-east. The site was built on this outcrop which is at the same level as the land to the west of it. Not so to the north-east where the terrain falls away quite markedly. In fact at a distance of only 10 metres north-east of the outcrop the surrounding land is over 3 metres lower. This drop in slope continues the more one moves from this outcrop.

Originally the site would have had a view over a wide undulating area.

Though a “castle” (tower house?) certainly existed here there is no information available as to its original builder, date of construction, ownership in 1580 (College List) or when it was finally levelled.

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