Caisleán na Coran (Castle of the Weir)
Caisleán na Coran. The castle at the weir was an outpost for the Irish garrison during the 1651 Siege of Limerick. When the castle became untenable due to a bombardment by the English forces the garrison took to the boats to try to reach the Limerick shore, because of the gunfire one boat had to land at the Clare shore at Parteen. On surrender they were put to the sword by the English forces. The officers responsible were later court marshalled and dismissed from the service. Those fortunate enough to land at Corbally were well treated.
Caisleàn na Coran, St.Thomas's Island and St. Patrick's Protestant Church - Painting by Geraldine O'Brien.
The castle as seen from the Green at the end of the Mill Road. Living close to it almost all of my life, I have never grown tired of its view. In the past I played, swam, built sand castles, boated around it, climbed in and out of its churchlike doorway, approx. 11 1/2 feet from the ground below.
Back of the castle and side showing the projecting garderobe. A garderobe (toilet) is thought to have been for hanging ones clothes in the toilet shaft, it was thought that the ammonia from the urine would kill fleas and other insects.
View of Garderobe (toilet) projecting out over the castle wall, so that the waste drops down outside the castle wall and into the river below.
Castle Interior
The room inside the castle measures approx. 8 metres long and 4 metres wide. It has 2 windows, one at the side and one at the back, both completely blocked up, also 5 long narrow windows, 2 with gun holes at the base. (Photo's of the castle interior courtesy of Pat Lysaght)
On the floor are steps and a round opening, blocked up with rubble, it possibly led to a cellar, above it an entrance to the garderobe and stairway leading to the top outside.
Window with gun hole at base.
Appearance from the inside of the blocked up entrance doorway.
View of castle before the doorway was blocked up. Pat Lysaght was the last person to enter the castle through the doorway. He lives directly opposite the castle and was annoyed at young fellows coming up the river in boats, entering the castle and throwing rocks from the top into the river below. Pat blocked it up in the 1980's so as to preserve the castle from further damage.
Caisleán na Coran. Tranquil, calm, colourful, early morning view of the castle.
Anthony Travers 22.08.2022 19:04
I spoke with Pat today a wonderful character and a pleasure to meet and speak to such a knowledgeable man thanks Pat for your company today.
Anne Desmond 28.03.2017 21:03
Beautiful page!
frank o'brien 22.08.2016 21:40
beautifull stories about beautifull times
Dermot Power 11.12.2015 21:39
This is a great page - well done
Ann 12.12.2015 15:18
Thank you Dermot.
mary 14.06.2015 16:19
can you email me the old picture with my father mick hayes
Sarita Berges 10.04.2015 00:21
I think this is a fabulous collection- well done. I lived at Corbally Cottage from 1997 to 2014 and will always have so many happy memories of my time there.
Finney harrold 19.08.2014 11:27
Beautiful photographs and presentation, I cant wait to share it.
Thank you.
Carolyn 24.04.2014 18:18
Love the birdsong! Beautiful.
Ann Liston 24.04.2014 20:20
I believe Lax is the Scandanavian word for salmon. Lax Weir - Salmon Weir.
Latest comments
09.11 | 21:42
Yes just like the main history before the 2000s and the owners and things like that.
09.11 | 21:34
Hi Alesha, is there anything in particular you would like know?
08.11 | 19:05
Extra
08.11 | 19:05
Hi Ann, would you have information on the Corbally nursing home fo...