Records from the ‘Division of Connacht and Thomond of 1574’ show it was held by the Abbe MacEnville, and it appears again in the Inquisitions for County Mayo. This early stronghold would have been typical of the fortified dwellings that dotted the Irish landscape during a time of territorial disputes and clan warfare.

Today, visitors to the area will find Partry House occupying what appears to be the original castle site. The current building incorporates elements dating from the late 17th century, but its foundations likely run much deeper. During renovation work carried out after 1995, builders made a fascinating discovery; narrow slit windows were uncovered within the interior walls, the kind of defensive features you’d expect to find in a medieval castle rather than a country house. These arrow loops, designed to allow defenders to fire upon attackers whilst remaining protected, offer tangible evidence of the site’s martial past.

The transformation from defensive castle to country house reflects a broader pattern across Ireland, where many fortified structures were either abandoned or adapted for more comfortable living as the country became more peaceful. At Cloonlagheen, rather than demolishing the old castle entirely, successive owners appear to have built around and incorporated its ancient walls, creating a palimpsest of Irish history hidden within what might otherwise seem an unremarkable country house.