aghalard castle

A 15th century three-storey tower, one half of which has fallen away. The tower stands in a polygonal bawn with square turrets. A building in the south-east of the bawn was apparently added later. The castle was owned in 1574 by the MacDonnells who had been mercenaries in the Burke armies. In 1596 Brabazon, Clanrickard and Darcy captured the castle but evacuated it shortly afterwards on hearing of the approach of Red Hugh O'Donnell. It remained in MacDonnell hands until bought by Sir Benjamin Guinness in the last century.