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Location
near Killykeen, County Cavan, Ireland
Description
Clogh Oughter Castle is located on an island on Lough Oughter in Killykeen forest park near Cavan.
The castle is a circular Anglo-Norman tower on a man-made island. The water level may have reached the foot of the walls originally, but the water level has fallen due to drainage work in more recent times. The tower is about 15m in diameter and juts over18m high. The southern side is badly damaged and the remains of the wall stands only about 1m tall. The original was a circular tower with an entrance at the first floor level. The first floor level has two other doorways which would have led to attached walls or towers which have long since gone. The fireplace and cobbled floor on the ground level were probably added in the 17th century.
Facilities
Clogh Oughter Castle is accessible only by boat.
History
Clough Oughter was built by the de Lacy family in the early 13the century. The castle was taken over by the O'Reilly's after a siege in the 1220s. The O'Reilly family held Clough Oughter until the end of the 16th century. The castle was an important fortress and prison.
In the early 17th century, Clough Oughter became a royal castle during the plantation of Ulster in 1608 to 1609. The castle was granted to Captain Hugh Culme, who took up residence in house on the lakeside opposite the castle.
During the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Irish rebels captured the castle, capturing Captain Culme who was imprisoned in the castle. The castle was used to house captured officers after the battle of Benburb in 1646. Oliver Cromwell's forces besieged and captured the castle in 1653, badly damaging the southern side in the process.
Other Castles in the Area
Ringfort, County Cavan
Castle Balfour, County Fermanagh
Crom Castle, County Fermanagh
Florence Court, County Fermanagh
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