Site of Castle, Lecarrow Upper, Co. Clare
The remains of Lecarrow Castle stand in the upper townland of Lecarrow in County Clare, marking the site of what was once a formidable medieval stronghold.
Site of Castle, Lecarrow Upper, Co. Clare
According to historical records compiled by Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, this castle served as an important defensive structure in the region, though today only fragments of its original walls and foundations survive. The castle’s strategic position would have offered its inhabitants commanding views across the surrounding countryside, making it an ideal location for monitoring movement through this part of Clare during turbulent medieval times.
Archaeological evidence suggests the castle dates from the late medieval period, likely constructed by one of the prominent local families who controlled this territory. The structure appears to have been a tower house, a type of fortified residence particularly common in Ireland between the 15th and 17th centuries. These buildings combined defensive features with domestic accommodation, allowing noble families to protect their lands whilst maintaining a comfortable residence. The thick limestone walls, typical of Clare’s tower houses, would have provided both security and insulation against the Atlantic weather that sweeps across the county.
While the castle now lies in ruins, its remnants offer valuable insights into the lives of Clare’s medieval nobility. The site reveals evidence of various building phases, suggesting the structure was modified and expanded over several centuries of use. Local tradition holds numerous stories about the castle’s former inhabitants and their role in the complex web of alliances and conflicts that characterised medieval Clare. Though time and weather have taken their toll on the structure, Lecarrow Castle remains an evocative reminder of the county’s rich medieval heritage, standing as a silent witness to centuries of Irish history.