Shrah Castle, Tullamore
Map Reference: N328251 (2328, 2251)
A short distance to the W of Tullamore, on the bank of the Grand Canal, stands the ruin of Shrah Castle, built in 1588. It is four storeys high with a fragmentary doorway in the W wall. There is a later building attached to the W and N. This is very fragmentary, the most complete feature being the W gable which has a fireplace. The doorway to the tower-house is protected by a murder-hole and a machicolation.
There is also a very fine gun-loop to the left of the doorway. Inside the tower is completely gutted. The western section consists of a vertical series of small rooms with large rooms in the eastern section. The small room at the second floor has a flat vault with very fine wicker-marks. There is no vault in the eastern section. A spiral stairway rose in the NW corner. It is very fragmentary except at the upper level. There is a fireplace in the N wall at the first floor and the chimney stack is still in place. The castle was defended by bartizans at the second floor level in the SW and NE corners.
The SW bartizan is almost complete but the other has almost disappeared. Below the SW bartizan is a two-light corner window. There is a narrow slit below the other bartizan. There are two-light windows in the N and E walls at the ground floor but otherwise the castle is lit by narrow loops. In the E wall there is a cross-shaped loop and a round loop, and near the base of the wall is a latrine chute exit.
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
Clonony, 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
Return to County Offaly List
Return to Gazetteer