Carrigogunnell
Medieval fortification on a volcanic rock overlooking the Shannon.
Carrigogunnell Castle is a medieval fortification near Clarina, County Limerick, situated on a volcanic rock outcrop overlooking the River Shannon. Dating to at least the early 13th century, it was slighted in September 1691 after being captured during the second siege of Limerick.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Near Clarina, County Limerick, on the banks of the River Shannon
- Earliest recorded date
- 1209
- Date slighted
- September 1691
- Keep height
- Over 50 ft / 15.2 m
- Keep storeys
- 5
- Outer ward area
- Approximately 1 acre
- Construction material
- Well-cut local limestone
Facts from the source article.
Description
The castle occupies a volcanic trap rock outcrop overlooking the lowlands of County Limerick and the River Shannon. Its plan has been described as showing little appreciation of defensive science, attributed to the Irish Gaelic tribe of the Dalcassians. The main southern gateway was considered poorly defended, lacking side towers and having walls under 5 ft thick, approached by a shallow slope. The absence of towers at wall junctions and a confused internal building plan led to the interpretation that it was only suitable as a fortified residence, not for withstanding assault or siege. The southern gate was the sole exit, aside from a sally port on the west side leading to the crags. The outer ward, roughly harp-shaped and about 1 acre in area, had a tower at the southwest corner; much of the west wall had been removed by 1908. A large two-storey skewed-rectangular building in the northeast corner may have been a chapel, though no clear evidence remains. The inner ward was set in the northwest corner, containing a 100 ft range of two-storey buildings along the west wall showing at least two construction phases. A keep over 50 ft high with five storeys and a spiral stair stood in the northwest corner; by 1908 only the outer wall and parts of the southern wall survived. Architectural details date the keep to the 14th or 15th century. East of the keep was a three-storey residence, probably from the 16th century. The buildings are of well-cut local limestone, not from the outcrop rock.
Name - etymology and history
The castle or area is referred to as 'Carraic Ui gConaing' in the Annals of Innisfallen (1209), when King John confirmed it to Donchad Cairbreach O'Brien. Since the late medieval period the name has been associated with Irish Gaelic for 'rock of the candle'. In Henry VIII's reign it was recorded as 'Carekogunyel'. Maps show it as 'Carrig Gunning' (c.1570-80), 'Carykgonyn' (1606, 1636), and 'Cargonin' or 'Cargonian' on English maps. The name 'Carrigogunnel' appears as early as 1536. Antiquaries have also proposed a derivation from the Ui Chonail Gabhra tribe, or from the Ui Chonaing tribe, linking it to Castleconnell. Another suggested etymology is Carrig-O-Gloinneal, meaning Rock of the O'Connells.
History
The first written record of Carrigogunnell dates to 1209, when the land known as Carrac Ui Conaing was given to Donnchad Cairbreach, King of Thomond. There are unverified tales linking the site to the Templars. For over a hundred years, nothing appears in the records. Then, around 1336, a branch of the O’Brien family is said to have crossed the Shannon, settled there, and taken over the old Norman Manor of Esclon, spreading southward along the Maigue. However, the later O’Briens of Carrigogunnell probably did not gain the place or build the castle until after 1450. The castle first shows up in historical records in 1536, when Lord Deputy Leonard Grey marched to it, calling it the key of the county. According to Maurice Lenihan, the O’Connell family also held the castle before surrendering it to the Fitzgeralds. Later, owner Mahon O’Byrne surrendered it on condition the government keep it, but promises were broken. Through a plot, the castle was returned to Mahon’s warder. It was then attacked; one tower fell on the night of August 22, and the keep surrendered the next morning. The garrison was hanged. The Crown claimed the castle on a shaky claim that the O’Briens held from Lord Clerre. Donough was installed but removed for extortion. Mahon had charged a penny per wine barrel and twopence for other barrels entering Limerick. Donough’s son Brian Duff was confirmed in the castle and most of Pubblebrian. The castle saw no use during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Later, Captain Wilson took it over and built a stable after Donough Brien sold it to Michael Boyle, later Archbishop of Dublin. At that time, it consisted of a castle, bawn, a few thatched huts, and a salmon fishery.
Legends
A tradition holds that before the castle was built, the rock was the abode of a hag named Grana, gigantic and frightful, who lit an enchanted candle each night on the peak; anyone who looked at it would die before sunrise. In one version, the curse was lifted by Regan, one of Finn's men, using a magic cap from the magician Luno of Lochlin. A large erratic stone in the area, Clough-a-Regaun, is said to have been thrown by the hag at the escaping Regan. The 19th-century recorder Thomas Crofton Croker linked the name Carrigogunnel to this story, meaning 'rock of the candle'. Variations attribute the deed to Saint Patrick.
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