Clooncorrick Castle was built
by the O'Rourke's and was their residence for many centuries. The last of
the family
who lived in any degree of splendour was John O'Rourke, son of
Thady, until, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, at a
court of claims held at Carrigallen, he was deprived of his estate
and declared illegitimate on the evidence of Abbot
Macaward of Tirconnell. Some historians believe that this was
a false testimony given by the Abbott, with a desire to
settle a wrong, be it real or imagined.
In 1629 there is a record
that Shane O'Rourke held lands at Clooncorrick and other townlands
around Carrigallen
271 acres of arable land and pasture, 606 acres of wood and bog.
He also had the power to hold courts. In 1689
Hugh O'Rourke of Clooncorrick was High Sheriff for Leitrim. Others
to hold this position who resided in
Clooncorrick includes the following: William Irwin (1770 -1771),
Richard Irwin (1804) and Major William Irwin
(1823).
The Castle is again referred
to in 1705 when it was occupied by the Rev Peter Lombard until
1752. He is buried in
the Church of Ireland Cemetary, Carrigallen. It appears that the
Irwin family were the next to hold the castle but it
is said in some circles that a Jameson family once owned it.
Major William Irwin did
an extensive job of reconstruction and refurbishment on the castle
in the late 18th century.
It received such additions and alterations as scarcely to leave
a feature of its original character. The stone was
quarried at Aughavas and cut and dressed by masons on the site.
the stonework was done to a very high standard.
There were brick cellars and pavings. An emblem, the thistle,
was to be seen on various items - fireplace, finish on
gateways and on a plaque which once adorned the stables, which
still exists and bears William Irwin's name dated
1797.
(Above) Clooncorrick Stables.
In 1835 Pierce Simpson bought the property. The following year
he held the posts of High Sheriff, Deputy
Lieutenant, and Magistrate.It is interesting to note that 1857
William Ormsby Gore was the landlord and Pierce
Simspon the tenant. In 1875 Pierce Simpson died. In 1876, as a
result of the death of Lord John Ralph gore,
R Ormsby Gore was the new Lord Harlech. In 1879 George Bowen Carson
Simpson is the owner. In an edition
of the Leitrim Advertiser from the 1880's there is a copy of an
eviction notice. This eviction was on behalf of
Colonel Simpson.
William J Francis a head
Constable lived at Calloughs. He
was clerk of petty sessions and Bailiff for Lord Harlech.
William B Francis, his son, obtained title to the castle and lands
in 1903 and lived there with his wife. Mrs Francis
died as a result of a fall at the castle. William died in July
1917 and is buried in Carrigallen cemetery. His sister,
Elizabeth Watters, lived at the castle for two years before returning
to America.
James Williams of Ballyduffy,
Moyne, became the next owner of the castle and lands, which he
bought in 1919 for
£1,750. Previous to this James had worked in Drewsey, Oregon.
He never took up residence in the castle, having
part of the houses in the yard converted into a dwelling house.
James farmed the land and with his wife Ellen raised
nine children-Seamus, Mary (Cissy), Ann, Elizabeth (all
deceased), Benny, Helen (Murphy), Mary, Veronica (Tighe),
Seán and Larry.
In 1921, the army were
billeted at the castle and remained there for a period of two
years. In the early 1930's the
upkeep of the castle became a burden and it was dismantled and
sold. James died in 1943 and Ellen in 1978. Both are
buried in Carrigallen cemetery. Seamus Williams was just 19 when
his father, James, died. He bought his first piece
of motorised machinery and commenced his work in the quarrying
business, which took him and his employees all
over the country.
Seamus died suddenly
in June 1978. Larry came back from London to run the business.
Larry and I live on the
ground where the castle once stood. Margaret Williams lives close
by.
This article by Maureen Williams
is from "Carrigallen Parish-A History."
"Carrigallen Parish-A
History."1996, Design inc.
© Ronan Ward Design
2003. All Rights Reserved.