Clonony Castle

Map Reference: N052205 (2052, 2205)

Clonony Castle dates from the 16th century and was lived in until modern times. It sits on a rocky outcrop at the SE corner of a bawn. The gateway to the bawn is in the W wall and is protected by a machicolation. There are remains of flanking towers at the NW, SW and SE corners. All the flankers are well provided with defensive loops. The N wall is missing.



The entrance to the tower is in the W wall and there are traces of a machicolation at roof level. A spiral stairway rises to the right of the entrance. The ground floor room has a small window in the N wall and a large window in the S wall set within a deep recess. There are possible fireplaces in the E wall at ground floor and first floor levels. There was a vault above the second floor and the walls were plastered. There appears to be a small chamber at the first floor in the S wall near the E end. The windows at the first floor in the E and S walls and the NW corner are set within deep recesses.



There is a passage along the W wall at the first floor and a murder-hole leading from this guards the doorway. The stairway is broken above first floor level and does not appear to continue beyond the vault.







View of the tower-house through the gateway



Some wicker-marks on the underside of the vault



A view of the murder-hole

For details of some other Tower Houses click on the following links

Ballynalacken, Co Clare Ballyportry, Co Clare Cratloemoyle, Co Clare Gleninagh, Co Clare Smithstown, Co Clare Ballinacarriga, Co Cork Carrickadroichid, Co Cork Dunmanus, Co Cork Buncrana, Co Donegal Audley’s Castle, Co Down Jordan’s Castle, Co Down Kilclief, Co Down Narrow Water, Co Down Dunsoghly, Co Dublin Ardamullivan, Co Galway Drumharsna, Co Galway Feartagar, Co Galway Lydacan, Co Galway Ballymalis, Co Kerry Ballybur, Co Kilkenny Burnchurch, Co Kilkenny Foulksrath, Co Kilkenny Rockstown, Co Limerick Castlerea, Co Longford Ardee, Co Louth Killincoole, Co Louth Dunmahon, Co Louth Roodstown, Co Louth Termonfeckin, Co Louth Kildavnet, Co Mayo Kinlough, Co Mayo Rockfleet, Co Mayo Donore, Co Meath Lynch’s Castle, Co Meath Shrah, Co Offaly Ballyfinboy, Co Tipperary Ballyvada, Co Tipperary Grallagh, Co Tipperary Graystown, Co Tipperary Lisronagh, Co Tipperary Moycarkey, Co Tipperary Tombrickane, Co Tipperary Syonan, Co Westmeath Tyrrelspass, Co Westmeath Kilcloggan, Co Wexford Rathmacknee, Co Wexford Taghmon, Co Wexford Threecastles, Co Wicklow