Graystown Castle, Laffansbridge

Map Reference: S193458 (2193, 1458)



A tower-house to the south of the former railway station at Laffan's Bridge stands on top of a rocky outcrop. It is very close to the edge of a steep cliff on the west side and there is only a narrow level strip in front of the doorway before the land falls steeply away. The doorway is in the north wall and there are traces of a machicolation which guarded it.



The north end of the castle stands to full height and there are good remains of the east and west walls. The south wall is missing. The doorway leads to a lobby which is fragmentary but there are good indications that the outer and inner doorways were staggered. There is a small guard chamber to the right of the doorway. A spiral stairway rose in the north-east corner but only fragments of it remain.



The north end of the building consists of a vertical stack of small chambers. These would have been accessible from the stairs although the small room at the second floor could only be entered from the main chamber. There are very fine slit windows including a good corner slit. The small windows in the east and west walls are set in large recesses at ground and first floor level but there are no signs of any large window openings. There are traces of a vault above the third storey. This is in two sections with the northern part being lower than the southern.



To the north-east of the castle stands a fragment of another building which has a bartizan in the corner. This building appears to have had large windows and a fireplace. It is two storeys high with rooms in the gable.













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 Moydow, 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 Shrah, Co Offaly Ballyfinboy, Co Tipperary Ballyvada, Co Tipperary Grallagh, 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