O'Dea Castle
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Built in 1480, Dysert O'Dea Castle is at the former O'Dea clan stronghold at Dysert O'Dea near Corofin, County Clare, Ireland. The Bishop of Kildare, Daniel O'Neylan (1530-1603) acquired the lands surrounding the castle in 1594. His grandson Daniel (1614-39) and Daniel's wife Máire "Rua" ní Mahon (c.1615-86), a daughter of Sir Turlough MacMahon, Lord of East Corcabaskin, occupied the castle during their lifetimes. In 1670 their son William O'Neylan (1635-78) tried to regain the castle by force following its confiscation by the British via the Act of Settlement. He was arrested, tried and convicted but petitioned his kinsman the 3rd Earl of Inchiquin, then Vice-President of Munster, who was interested in the property because his powerful family also claimed a right to it. Lord Inchiquin found in William’s favour and a 1676 deed and William’s 1678 will describe him as “William Nelane of Disart” and “Captain William Neylan of Disert” respectively. His son Francis Patrick O'Neylon (also written O'Neillan) was born in the castle in 1671 but, like many Catholics who had been disposessed of their lands by the British, left Ireland to seek his fortune overseas. He rose through the ranks of the Austrian Imperial Army and in 1731 was awarded command of the 57th "O'Neillan" Infantry Regiment. He reached the rank of Major General and was created a Baron by the Emperor Charles VI. He died in 1734 while Commander of the Citadel of Mantua. A black marble plaque commemorating his life and that of his wife, Barbara, Countess von Browne of Camus (a sister of Maximilian Ulysses Reichsgraf von Browne) and their sons Counts Eugene (died 1748 from wounds sustained during battle at Pizziglione) and Francis (killed by musket fire on the night of 20 February, 1757 while demolishing the city gates with an axe in the war near Hirschwald in Saxony) is located in the castle's chapel.
The Battle of Dysert O'Dea, which drove the Anglo-Normans from the region for over 200 years, took place at this site on May 10, 1318.
Site description from Irish Tourist Board:
"Dysert O'Dea Castle and Archaeological Centre in Corofin is known for its wealth of historical and archaeological remains. Built in 1480 the castle is now an archaeological centre with more than twenty five archaeological and historical sites. Notable aspects are the 15th century Dysert O'Dea Castle itself, two stone forts used during battles between local noblemen in the 16th century and the Saint Tola's High Cross, which dates from the 12th century. There is also an example of a fulacht fiadh, or ancient cooking site. An archaeological trail has been developed to highlight 25 of the field monuments within a 6km radius of the Castle, the most famous of which include a Romanesque Doorway and High Cross."
[edit] Further reading
- O'Dea: Ua Déaghaidh: The Story of a Rebel Clan, by Risteárd Ua Cróinín (Richard Cronin), Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare, Ireland, 1992. ISBN 0-946538-07-7.
- Irish Battles - A Military History of Ireland, by G.A. Hayes-McCoy, Appletree Press, 1990, ISBN 0-86281-250-X
- Irish Families, MacLysaght, Dr. Edward, (Chief Herald of Ireland), Dublin 1972, pp: 241
- The Irish Sword - Some Irishmen in the Imperial Service, Logan, Dr. Patrick, , Vol 19, pp:79
- Histoire de ma Vie (The French Lacassin/Laffont Edition of) , Giacomo Casanova, pp:104
- Die Geschichte der k. und k. Wehrmacht, von Wrede, Baron Alphons, , pp: 516, 517, 518
Hubka, Geschichte des Infanterieregiments No. 22, Zara 1902 pp:84
