Dromore Castle

Dromore Castle stood on what was once a small island in Dromore Lake. The former island was connected to the mainland in modern times and is now part of the Dromore Wood Nature Reserve. Dromore Castle dates to at least the 16^th century, as an inscription stone over the front door states the castle was ‘built by Teige, second son to Connor, third earl of Thomond, and by Slany Brien, wife to said Teige’. The 3^rd Earl of Thomond was Connor O’Brien, b. 1535 d.1581, and, by his second wife Una O’Brien-Arra, had three sons including Donogh (future 4^th Earl of Thomond) and Teige. The 4^th Earl of Thomond took part in the suppression of the Nine Year’s War. After Hugh O’Neill was defeated and fatally wounded, Teige joined up with the rebels. He guided and advised Red Hugh O’Donnell in his revenge attack on County Clare to punish the 4^th Earl of Thomond for supporting the English. After the castle was abandoned in 1689 it fell into ruin.

The tower-house, built of limestone, had its entrance doorway in the east wall. A small guard-room leads into the main ground floor chamber. The first floor main chamber does not survive, but part of a garderobe is visible. The second floor main chamber does not survive, an ogee-headed window, pointed doorway and square hood-moulding is visible. Rebuilding is evident towards the third floor with brock surrounds on the doorway and a brick fireplace. A rectangular two-light window with two vertical bar-holes is visible. The parapet has single crenellations, wall-walk, three gutter holes and a bartizan.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014