Syonan Castle

Map Reference: N279403 (2279, 2403)



This small castle is known to have existed in 1566 when an agreement was drawn up whereby An Sionnach of Muintir Tadhain put himself, his people and his territory under the protection of the Geoghegan Family. Conn Geoghegan of Syonan died in 1600 leaving his 15 year old son Calbhach as heir. Calbhach or Charles Geoghegan served with the Catholic Association in 1652 and much of his land was forfeited under the Cromwellian Act of Settlement. Many of his descendents fought and died in the Jacobite Wars and in other European wars such as the War of the Austrian Succession. The castle today seems to be a four-storey tower-house. However it is covered with ivy and much of the detail is hidden. No light shines through the ruin which suggests that it has an intact stone floor at a high level. There are two gaps visible at ground floor level. One in the SW wall is rectangular and is closed by an iron gate. It is possibly the original entrance. The other gap is an irregular hole in the NW wall. It is now closed by concrete blocks. Just to the north of this gap is the broken exit of a latrine chute. No details of the fenestration can be seen through the ivy and the interior is not accessible.





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 Shrah, Co Offaly Ballyfinboy, Co Tipperary Ballyvada, Co Tipperary Grallagh, Co Tipperary Graystown, Co Tipperary Lisronagh, Co Tipperary Moycarkey, Co Tipperary Tombrickane, Co Tipperary Tyrrelspass, Co Westmeath Kilcloggan, Co Wexford Rathmacknee, Co Wexford Taghmon, Co Wexford Threecastles, Co Wicklow