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The History of Ballynagowan Castle
Only a few castles
in the West of Ireland survived into our times. In the County
of North Clare one of the most important castles is Ballynagowan
(Ballynagowan) Castle, which takes its name from beal-atha-an-ghobhan,
the mouth of the smith’s ford. This castle has played
an exciting part in Irish history over the centuries. It was
first mentioned when the last king of Munster, Murrough O’Brien,
called the Tanist, who was created 1st Earl of Thomond and
1st Baron of Inchiquin in 1543, willed the Castle of Ballynagowan
to his son, Teige, before his death in 1551.
Over the years it
accommodated many famous characters of Irish history. Records
show that in 1600 the legendary Irish rebel “Red”
Hugh O’Donnell with his men rested there during his
attack on North Clare, spreading ruin everywhere when seeking
revenge upon the Earl of Thomond for his being in alliance
with the English.
In 1649 Oliver Cromwell’s
army came from England with death and destruction. When his
General Ludlow swept into North Clare striking terror everywhere
he went, he attacked the castle with cannons. In 1650 Conor
O’Brien of Lemeneagh became heir of the castle. However,
soon after, he was fatally wounded in a skirmish with Cromwellian
troops commanded by General Ludlow at Inchicronan in 1651.
With O'Brien had fought
his wife Maire Rua O’Brien (“The Red Mary”),
named after her long red hair, one of the best known characters
in Irish tradition. She had lived in the castle as a young
woman and it is the ferocity and cruelty attributed to her
which has kept her name alive. Legends tell that to save her
children’s heritage after Conor’s death she married
several English generals who were killed in mysterious ways,
one after the other, and that she ended her bloody carrier
entombed in a hollow tree.
During 1652 almost
all inhabitable castles in Clare including Ballynagowan were
occupied by Cromwellian garrisons, a time of terrible uncertainty,
under military rule.
Over the next decades
Ballynagowan Castle was the seat of army generals, the High
Sheriff of County Clare and Viscount Powerscourt, one of the
most powerful aristocrats who had their main residence - a
monumental neo-gothic palace - in Dublin.
Ballynagowan
Castle, last inhabited in mid 19th century, has now been restored
to provide a historic self-catering holiday home for an unforgettable
and adventurous experience of Ireland between past and present,
with all the comfort of the 21st century. On grounds of almost
5 acres, the romantic castle is situated on a rocky eminence
surrounded by a park with mature trees and the river Deelagh,
gently flowing in a lovely glen of rich vegetation.
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Smithstown
(Ballynagowan) Castle
Oh
lovely seat, oh sweet retreat,
it's oft I think of thee.
When on the Sunday, boys would meet,
light hearted, gay and free.
At
the crass road beside the gate,
with trees of green and brown.
T'is here the girls and boys would meet,
by the Castle of Smithstown.
The
dance it would there begin,
the music too was splendid.
The boys and girls would foot it then,
until the dance was ended.
And
then at the end of every set,
while cheers and cheers came down.
Its echoes you would never forget,
by the Castle Smithstown.
The
castle so fair, dear spot devine,
oh what a chance there is now.
Nothing dwells but the rock and kine,
oh where the Chieftain now.
No
wonder he would rise from his tomb,
when the setting sun goes down.
To see that lovely place in gloome,
dear Castle of Smithstown.
The
river it does gently flow,
through valley and through sea.
And to Kilshanny it does go,
and then off to the Sea.
For
it's there I repent some happy days,
for trout broath white and brown.
Fishing for days, in the sun's bright rays,
Around the Castle of Smithstown.
By
James O'Donoghue
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