Bawn, Clonyhurk, Co. Offaly
Situated on flat terrain offering sweeping views across the Offaly countryside, the ruins of a tower house at Clonyhurk stand as a weathered testament to medieval defensive architecture.
Bawn, Clonyhurk, Co. Offaly
The structure, which originally rose three storeys high, now survives to only two levels. Built from uncoursed limestone rubble, the square tower reveals intriguing construction details, including traces of wickerwork centring used to support the arches during building; a practical medieval technique that left its mark in the stonework.
The tower house sits in close proximity to a medieval church to the north, suggesting this was once a site of both spiritual and secular importance. Archaeological evidence points to this being more than just an isolated fortification; remnants of what appear to be wall footings to the west of the tower likely mark the original bawn wall, the defensive perimeter that would have enclosed and protected the tower house complex.
Though time has taken its toll on these structures, historical records from Comerford (1883) and O’Flanagan (1933) help piece together the site’s significance. The poor preservation state of the tower house means visitors today see only a fraction of its original imposing presence, yet the surviving masonry and layout still offer valuable insights into the defensive strategies and building techniques employed by medieval communities in this part of Ireland.





