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One of the first castles west of the Shannon
was erected here in 1203 by Walter de Burgo who seized on a
local church, and piled it with earth and stones before
using this as a mound for a mote-and-bailey type fort.
From this stronghold he proceeded to plunder the surrounding
countryside. In 1229 his son Richard built a proper stone
castle on the site, which was in turn destroyed in 1316 by
Felim O'Connor.
In 1414 a Franciscan friary was established
nearby by one of the O'Maddens; the community was dispersed
at the Reformation, returned in 1680, was dispersed again by
the Cromwellian Wars, returned 1686 and was scattered for
the last time by the War of William and James. The remains
was reroofed and are still used as the local parish church.
Of the present church, the walls, west doorway and two
arches are medieval; the rest dates from later
reconstructions.
Other towns of County Galway
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