Location: Munster Map
Constructed: 1480 by the McMahons
Carrigaholt Castle was constructed in 1480 by McMahons, chiefs of the Corcabascin Peninsula. In September 1588 seven ships of Spanish Armada that was largely destroyed by weather tried to lay siege to the citadel's defences. It didn't work out too well so the Spanish retreated. Shortly thereafter however it was taken by fourth Earl of Thomond (Donagh O'Brien). After four day siege Carrigaholt Castle opened its doors after agreement was made. Earl did not bother keeping his word and hanged all the defenders. His brother Donal O'Brien inherited Carrigaholt Castle and turned more into mansion rather than a military fortification. He cut windows through the thick castle walls and constructed a fire place on a fifth floor that bears a date of 1603. Today Carrigaholt Castle is under protection of Office of Public Works.
The McMahons (Mac Mathghamhna), ruler of the
Corcabascin Peninsula (Corca Bhaiscinn), built the castle around
1480. It is located at the end of the Pier above the estuary of
Shannon and the fishing port. It is a well-preserved Tower House
with five storeys.
In September 1588 Tadhg Caech "the shortsighted" Mac Mathghamhna
(Teige MacMahon) lived there. At that time, seven ships of the
Spanish Armada docked in Carrigaholt. Although the McMahons refused
to help the ships, the troops of Sir Conyer's Clifford, the then
governor of Connaught, besieged the Castle shortly afterwards,
albeit without success. In the following year, the 4. Earl of
Thomond, Danagh O'brien, took over after a four-day siege and,
contrary to the surrender contract, all defenders were suspended.
Then the castle fell to the brother of the Earl, Donal O'brien, who
had many of the windows visible today installed in the Tower House,
as well as the open fireplace on the 5th floor, in which the year
1603 is carved. Donal O'brien's grandson was the 3. Viscount Clare
who resided at Carrigaholt Castle, and the English king James II
from the house of Stuart Reiter regiment fielded the "Yellow
Dragons" (dt. Yellow Dragon). After the Williamites had forfeited
their vast lands of 230 km2 to the crown, the Burton family acquired
the castle. The members of the Burton family were the last
inhabitants and left the castle at the end of the 19th century.
Century.