castles historical around ballymote inishcrone

A few miles north of Enniscrone is the ruined stronghold of the MacFirbis clan, renowned Gaelic poets and annalists.

It was a member of this leaned family who compiled the 'Book of Lecan' (AD 1416) now in the library of the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin....

Probably built by Richard de Burgo in 1300, this was possibly the strongest castle in Connacht. The castle was probably captured by the O'Conors in 1317, but was taken from them in the course of local struggles by Mac Diarmada in 1347. By 1381 it had passed to the MacDonaghs. Although attached to Tadhg MacDiarmada in 1561, it had apparently passed to O'Conor Sligo by 1571, at which time he surrendered the castle and had it regranted to him by the English. In 1577 the castle fell into English...

Known as the Castle of the Curlews, this castle was built around 1590 to protect the pass over the Curlew Hills. It was garrisoned by a Constable and ten wardens from 1610 to 1626 and, after a stout resistance, had to surrender in 1641 due to lack of water.

The plan of the castle is modelled on those of 13th century castles, with a small central square block dwarfed by four massive towers at the corners which are round outside and square inside....