Ardamullivan Castle

The recently restored Ardamullivan Castle was built in the 16^th century for the ruling Irish local lords, the O’Shaughnessy family. This castle, along with Gort Castle and Fiddaun Castle were built for the O’Shaughnessy’s. In 1567, after the death of Ruaidhrí Gilla Dubh Ó Seachnasaigh, Ardamullivan Castle was claimed by his son Diarmaid Riabach Ó Seachnasaigh. The O’Shaughnessy’s held their estates by entering into the policy of surrender and regrant. The Cromwellian invasion ended their association with their lands.

The six-storey tower house, was originally five-storeys tall. The original block with its entrance door in the east wall leads into the ground floor chamber, with a spiral staircase rising up through the tower. The doorway and general approach to the entrance was protected from above by three machicolations. The ground floor and 2^nd floor have vaulted ceilings supporting the floors above them. The 2^nd floor of this block has a machicolation on its south wall. The secondary block, or second phase of building, saw the sixth storey added to the original block. Alterations included adding a vaulted ceiling on the 3^rd floor, inserting fireplaces on the ground floor, 1^st and 4^th floors, with associated chimney. The first phase of building had the typical flat-headed single-lit windows, with phase two having twin-light windows, some ogee-headed. During the restoration of Ardamullivan, traces of mural paintings were found on the 1^st floor. Further decorated panels were found on the 4^th floor, depicting stylised vine leaves.

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