Clonamicklon Castle

Several times from away in the distance I had noticed the outline of Clonamicklon Castle in silhouette against the sky, generally as I was travelling elsewhere.

I had no idea what it was called or exactly where it was located but finally one day I found myself driving nearby so I called into the landowner and she graciously gave me permission to wander around and take a few photographs.

It is possibly an early 1300's construction and consists today of the ruins of what appears to be a Tower House, partial Bawn Walls and two further corner or "Flanker" Towers.

Judging by its size it was at one time a large and substantial fortification.

A fortification at the site of Clonamicklon Castle is listed on the sites and monuments record by Jean Farrelly as having been built in 1306 by John Butler.

peerage.com has a John Butler of Clonamicklon born in 1305 and he is listed as the son of an Edmund Butler but this may well be incorrect infromation.

Today all that remains of the Castle are the ruins and remnants, which while decayed, still easily convey the size, shape and scope of its former glory.

Clonamicklon is taken in literal Irish, Cluain Ó Míolchon, to mean "the meadow of O'Mílchon".