Leamaneh Castle

The Leamaneh Castle was constructed in two parts; the first was a tower house built in the 15^th century and the second part was a 17^th century manor house. The eastern portion of the castle is a five storey tower built about 1480 with a stone vault on the top floor and a number of holes for guns. It's thought to have been built by Turlogh Donn, one of the last independent kings of the old kingdom of Ireland, which dominated the region at that time. In 1548, Turlogh Donn's son, Murrough, surrendered this house to Henry VIII. A four storey mansion was added to the west of the tower in the 1640's which was believed to have been built by the O’Brien’s and occupied by Conor and Maire Rua O'Brien. East of the manor house was a garden with a pond and a summer house (Comber 2001).

The castle is at the junction of three territories and one on one of the most important road intersection on the Burren. The ruined castle and manor house of Leamaneh lies at the junction of the Ballyvaughan, Corofin and Kilfenora roads. It is believed that this was an O’Brien castle because of where it is located. The O’Loughlins had the most control over the Burren and their capital was based in the center of the Burren (probably to protect it). Leamaneh Castle is on the edge of the O’Loughlin territory and it was probably the O’Brien’s intention to infringe of the O’Loughlin’s land. This was a perfect place for the O’Briens to restrict communication of the O’Loughlins and the O’Deas (other dynastic families living on the Burren at the time). In this position the O’Briens had a chance to expand their own territory (Jones 2004: 150).

In 1651, Lord Conor O'Brien was attacked by Cromwell's army, this was a turning point in Clare history and began the downfall of leadership in North Clare. Conor's and Maire's son, Donagh, was the last of the O'Brien's to live at Leamaneh. There were other occupants but the house finally fell into ruin at the end of the 18th century. This monument is visible from the road but is not accessible (Comber 2001).

Leamaneh Castle (fig 153 in Jones, Carleton. 2004 The Burren and the Aran Islands: Exploring the Archaeology. Collin Press, Cork, Ireland.)	Leamaneh Castle The Leamaneh Castle was constructed in two parts; the first was a tower house built in the 15^th century and the second part was a 17^th century manor house. The eastern portion of the castle is a five storey tower built about 1480 with a stone vault on the top floor and a number of holes for guns. It's thought to have been built by Turlogh Donn, one of the last independent kings of the old kingdom of Ireland, which dominated the region at that time. In 1548, Turlogh Donn's son, Murrough, surrendered this house to Henry VIII. A four storey mansion was added to the west of the tower in the 1640's which was believed to have been built by the O’Brien’s and occupied by Conor and Maire Rua O'Brien. East of the manor house was a garden with a pond and a summer house (Comber 2001). The castle is at the junction of three territories and one on one of the most important road intersection on the Burren. The ruined castle and manor house of Leamaneh lies at the junction of the Ballyvaughan, Corofin and Kilfenora roads. It is believed that this was an O’Brien castle because of where it is located. The O’Loughlins had the most control over the Burren and their capital was based in the center of the Burren (probably to protect it). Leamaneh Castle is on the edge of the O’Loughlin territory and it was probably the O’Brien’s intention to infringe of the O’Loughlin’s land. This was a perfect place for the O’Briens to restrict communication of the O’Loughlins and the O’Deas (other dynastic families living on the Burren at the time). In this position the O’Briens had a chance to expand their own territory (Jones 2004: 150). In 1651, Lord Conor O'Brien was attacked by Cromwell's army, this was a turning point in Clare history and began the downfall of leadership in North Clare. Conor's and Maire's son, Donagh, was the last of the O'Brien's to live at Leamaneh. There were other occupants but the house finally fell into ruin at the end of the 18th century. This monument is visible from the road but is not accessible (Comber 2001).

Links: The Burren Home Page Poulnabrone Portal Tomb Roughan Hill Sites Temple Cronan References Cited
	Site map of Leamaneh Castle grounds (fig 154 in Jones, Carleton. 2004 The Burren and the Aran Islands: Exploring the Archaeology. Collin Press, Cork, Ireland.)