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| Ballylongford
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Carrigafoyle Castle
Carrigafoyle Castle was built in 1490 by the O'Connor chieftains who came to the area around 1200 making Carrigafoyle their power-base. The castle was strongly built and ingeniously situated on Carrig Island. On Palm Sunday, 1580, the O'Connor fortunes were dealt a near fatal blow, besieged by Elizabethan forces, the castle was breached by canon fire and its inhabitants massacred. Finally subjugated by Cromwellian forces, the castle was abandoned and forfeited in 1660. However, visitors can still climb the 104 steps and admire the breathtaking view from one of Irelands finest castles.
Aghavallen Church
Aghavallen Church dates back to the 14th century. With the reformation it became a Protestant Church and remained so until 1840 when it was abandoned for a new church nearby, where Lord Kitchener was baptised in 1850. The Aghvallen cemetery holds the tombs of many of the landlord families of the area.
Lislaughtin Abbey
Lislaughtin Abbey was twice engulfed in unholy violence during the turbulent 16th century. When English forces moved vengefully through this area in 1580, it was the death-nell of this beautiful Francican Abbey as a place of worship. The Abbey was built by by John O'Connor, powerful chief of Carrigafofle in 1470. Two of the O'Connor chiefs are buried within its walls. The fine East window remains intact. The beautiful Lislaughtin Cross is now in the National Museum.
The remains of seven small churches can be seen on Scattery Island - two miles out in the Shannon. It is a 6th century foundation of St. Senan. A 90ft. high round tower dating back to 1200 is clearly visible from around here.
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