Castle Carragh, Castlerock, Co. Sligo

Castle Carragh, Castlerock, Co. Sligo

Nestled on the lower southern slopes of the Ox Mountains in County Sligo, the ruins of Castle Carragh offer a glimpse into Ireland's turbulent medieval past.

Castle Carragh, Castlerock, Co. Sligo

What remains today are modest sod-covered foundations, rising about 1.75 metres high, that trace out the footprint of what was once an O’Hara stronghold. The main structure forms an L-shape, measuring 7.5 metres east to west and extending 14 metres north to south on its western side, with the eastern arm stretching 8.6 metres. Three rectangular chambers adjoin the northern side, creating a complex that speaks to the castle’s former importance in controlling this strategic location.

The castle’s construction quality is still evident in the exposed stonework at the eastern end, where carefully cut blocks remain tightly fitted together, showcasing the skill of medieval masons. These weathered foundations, roughly 4 metres thick, hint at walls that once stood tall enough to defend against raiders and rival clans. The O’Hara family, prominent Gaelic lords in this region, built this fortress to assert their authority over the surrounding lands, though their stronghold was already crumbling by 1636 according to historical records.



Known locally as Castle Carragh and marked on Ordnance Survey maps since 1838, these ruins stand as a testament to the complex web of power that once dominated rural Ireland. Today, sheep graze where soldiers once stood guard, and the rough grassland has reclaimed much of the site, leaving visitors to imagine the castle in its prime; a formidable structure that controlled passage through this part of Sligo for generations before succumbing to time and conflict.

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Castlerock, Co. Sligo
54.07103329, -8.86349392
54.07103329,-8.86349392
Castlerock 
Masonry Castles 

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