The original 17th-century castle that once stood here has been incorporated into the grander 18th- and 19th-century Castle Forbes house that visitors see today. The barrel-vaulted remains of the old castle now form part of the entrance gateway, whilst an armorial plaque that likely adorned the original structure serves as another tangible link to the past.

The story begins with Arthur Forbes, who arrived in Ireland in 1620 and received a land grant three years later for territories in Clonguish and Lisbrack, which included a castle. The fortification would soon see considerable action during the tumultuous 1640s. In 1641, the castle fell to Preston’s forces, but not before witnessing a fierce battle that left its mark on both the building and local memory. Contemporary accounts from the 1641 depositions paint a vivid picture of the siege: Irish rebels attacked the castle and its bawn, shooting in all the windows whilst defenders on the walls fell to enemy fire. Those inside the castle returned fire with deadly effect, killing many of the attacking rebels in the exchange.

Today, these dramatic events seem distant from the peaceful demesne grounds, yet the physical remnants of the old castle, now woven into the fabric of the later house, stand as silent witnesses to County Longford’s contested past. The site offers a fascinating example of how Ireland’s great houses often contain layers of history, with newer constructions literally built upon the foundations of older, more turbulent times.