Castlekirk

On a small island in extreme NW arm of Lough Corrib close to SE end of Gleann an Mháma. This 13th-C keep, now a Nat. Mon., was apparently built c. 1235 by Feidhlim, king of Connacht, as a replacement for an earlier castle built c. 1200 and burnt in 1233. Known locally as Caisleán na Circe, it originally belonged to the O'Connors but later passed to the O'Flahertys. The present structure comprises a two-storey rectangular keep (L 12.2m, Wth 11.6m, int.) with diminutive square towers at each angle and a gradual base batter. The entrance, in S angle-tower, appears to have consisted of a stout doorway set in some kind of forebuilding, access to which was via a possibly movable wooden bridge (Lynn 1986, 102-3). This opened onto a straight intramural stair which led, via the upper chamber of the tower midway along SW wall, to a lst-floor hall. This hall occupied the whole of 1st floor: the joists of its wooden floor are visible above the now rubble-filled basement. Access to the basement was by spiral stairs in E angle-tower. A latrine chute is visible in exterior of NE wall. No trace of the roof, parapets or wall-walks survives. There is evidence of refurbishment in 15-16th C, confirming historical references to the continued occupation of the castle at that time (Topgr. Files, NMI). (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 44-5; Harbison 1975, 88)