Madden Castles in Ireland

Lawrencetown, Co. Galway.

Madden tower house in the 15th century, to which a house was added in 1620 and much altered since. Still inhabited.

Clonfert, Co. Galway.

Was a 15th century O'Madden stronghold. It was a scene of slaughter when the garrison were thrown off the battlements in 1651.

Lusmagh, Banagher, Co. Offaly.

In 1336 Eoghan O'Madden, the greatest chief of the O' Maddens, conquered the territory of Lusmagh. He is thought to have built the present keep. The O'Maddens lost the castle in 1595 during a siege which cost 200 lives.

Notice the Madden Coat of Arms hanging from the wall second from the left.

Ballycrossaum, Co. Galway.

Located three miles north of Portumna. Was erected by Donal O'Madden in 1669, and was their principal seat. It is one of the last tower houses built in Ireland. This was the scene of many battles.

Derryhiveny Castle in East Galway, as visualised intact.

Eyrecourt, co. Galway

Was originally called the O'Madden and "Dun an Eochta" castle when built in the 15th century by the O'Maddens. It was later purchased and extended by John Eyre in the 1650's He absorbed the Madden castle into his Jacobean masion; the Eyres stayed there until the late 1920's, and the house is now ruined.

Hilton Park, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

Hilton Park was orginally called Maddenton. This house was purchased by Samuel Madden in 1734. It is still currently owned by Maddens.

Near Confert, Co. Galway.

Lismore was the principal seat of the O'Madden in the 15th century, it later passed to the the Burkes, and later to the Daly family who added a large mansion to it. Now quite ruined.

O'Madden fortress from the 15th century, which saw many battles in its environs.

The O'Madden castle at Meelick is recorded as being in 1235 occupied. It was destroyed in 1595 by Cromwell himself. He had so much trouble with the Maddens that he decided to teach them a lesson, leaving not a stone left! The English conquest of the O'Madden territory may be said to have began with the capture of Meelick Castle in 1557 by Lord Deputy, Sussex.

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