Dunmore Castle

Tradition states that Dunmore (Irish dún mór, "great hillfort") was a lesser residence of the ancient Kings of Connacht.^[6]

The first castle at Dunmore was built by De Birmingham family in the early 13th century as a bulwark against Gaelic Irish attacks.^{[citation needed]}

In 1249 Dunmore was attacked and burned by the Ó Conchubhair (O'Conors). In 1284 it was besieged by the Síol Maelruain under Fiachra O'Flynn.^{[citation needed]}

In 1315 the castle was damaged by Rory O'Conor during the Bruce campaign in Ireland.^{[citation needed]}

Most of the present structure dates from the early 14th century, i.e. the reigns of Edward II and III as Lords of Ireland: it was a two-storey hall keep. Dunmore Castle was modified in the 16th century, with extra floors, roof gables, chimneys, windows and a ground floor entrance.^{[citation needed]}

The de Berminghams rebelled against Queen Elizabeth I and the castle was taken from them in 1569 by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, although it was later returned.^[7]

The castle was seized from the de Berminghams permanently in the Cromwellian era (1650s).^[8] It was occupied by the Ouseley family (including the famous preacher Gideon Ouseley) until the 19th century.^[9][10][11]

A lime kiln was built on the site in the 19th century. The castle is at present under the protection of the Office of Public Works.

The castle is a rectangular five-storey keep measuring 14 m × 8.2 m (46 ft × 27 ft) at base with a large base-batter.

There is evidence for a garderobe at the northwest. The windows include an oculus, mullions and arrowslits. Some of the curtain wall survives.^[12]