Fore Priory by bennybulb on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
About 1180 Norman landlord, Hugh De Lacy built a Benedictine Priory on the facing hillside dedicated to Saint Feichin and St Taurin. Because of its relationship with a French abbey, Fore was regularly seized by the English authorities as “alien Property” when England was at war with France.
The priory was built around the cloister and courtyard. Three round-headed windows of the original chancel still stands . During the 15th century a fortified tower was built at the western end of the priory. The defensive design of the tower is evident by the arrow slits and murderous layout of the gateway. The ruins of Fore Abbey are the only remnants of a Benedictine abbey in Ireland
Ballintober Castle 1 by bennybulb on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
This large “keepless” fortress is often claimed to be the only surviving early medieval castle of an Irish ruler. It was built in the 1290s and has a roughly square plan, with enormous asymmetrical polygonal corner towers and a gateway in the eastern curtain, flanked by comparatively small projecting turrets. However, residential apartments in the upper floors of the towers appear quite sophisticated in their design, indicating that Norman rather than Irish architects were employed. Indeed, the oft-repeated claim that this castle was built by the O’Connors of the Royal House of Connaught is difficult to sustain, especially as Irish chiefs of this period had no use for such fortresses. Furthermore, in the 1333 inquisition of the Earldom of Ulster, a hundred court is recorded at Ballintober. It is likely the builder was William de Burgo, and no doubt the castle’s large area was intended to permit an Anglo-Norman settlement within its walls. The northern towers are higher than the others as they were rebuilt and repaired in 1627. Outside the walls extra protection was afforded by a wide water-filled moat. The castle fell into the hands of the O’Connors in the 14th century and remained in their possession for many centuries, being the chief seat of the O’Connor Don from 1385 until 1652. In 1598 it was surrendered to Red Hugh O’Donnell, who attacked it with cannon, breached its walls and forced Hugh O’Connor Don to recant his allegiance to the Crown. In 1641 it became a centre of Catholic resistance with the result that it was confiscated in 1652. The O’Connors regained possession in 1677 and remained in residence until 1701, when it was abandoned
Ballinafad Castle, Co Sligo by bennybulb on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
At the end of the 1300s, Richard de Burgo - the Red Earl - built County Sligo’s first road. The Red Earl’s Road was an important one over the Curlew Mountains, and this castle was built to defend it in 1590 by Captain John St Barbe. An Elizabethan fortified blockhouse modelled on a 13th-century plan, it had four storeys, four towers and a drawbar. The castle is now large a ruin but it had an eventful past. It survived an attack by the Burkes in 1641 only to be sacked again in 1642, falling into disuse in 1680.
Castle of the Curlews by bennybulb on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Known as the Castle of the Curlews, this castle was built around 1590 to protect the pass over the Curlew Hills. It was garrisoned by a Constable and ten wardens from 1610 to 1626 and, after a stout resistance, had to surrender in 1641 due to lack of water.
The plan of the castle is modelled on those of 13th century castles, with a small central square block dwarfed by four massive towers at the corners which are round outside and square inside
Clontygora Court tomb by Irishphotographer on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Clontygora Court tomb is beautifully situated on a hillside in South Armagh, it is Y shaped with a large burial gallery at the centre. Some of the stones that line the forecourt look quite spectacular, the highest reaching about two and a half metres, The size of the cairn that enclosed this tomb is difficult to make out. The tomb was excavated in 1937 and evidence of cremations were found amongst other neolithic artifacts.
