Castlebawn

Castlebawn was built by Owen McNamara during an unknown year in the 16th century. The earliest recorded mention of Castlebawn is 1570, when Sean McNamara, Chief of eastern Clann-Cuilein, died, leaving Castlebawn to his son, Sir John McNamara.^[2] The McNamaras lived there until the 17th century.^{[citation needed]}

In 1820 it became a den for illicit poitín makers^[1] and in 1827 the authorities besieged the towerhouse to drive the occupants out.^[3] After the towerhouse was emptied the authorities attempted to demolish the building with explosives. Only the south wall and roof were destroyed. The remaining walls although damaged remained intact.^[3] The castle was so well built that three of the walls remained intact. ^[4]

Simon Flannery occupied the castle early in the 20th century, and locally the castle is still referred to as Simon's Castle.^[2][3]

In 1929 the construction of the Ardnacrusha power plant caused the water level in Lough Derg to rise significantly shrinking the island on which the towerhouse stands.^[3]

It was restored from ruin by Pat and Mary Cody ^[4]