x3

("Gowly Well")

"Pinkman: Gaibhle = A fork or a forked place. The gabhal here is formed by Lough Scur, and it is a very good example of the application of the term. Gowly is on the south shore of Lough Scur, Parish of Kiltubrd. There are three islands on Lough Scur, that belong to this townland – Whiskey Island, Prison Island, and Castle Island. Castle Island had a castle of the Mac Rannalls. Prison, Island, where they kept their captives and hostages. And Whiskey Island! Perhaps this place may have some connexion with the entry of the Four Masters at the year 1405. “Richard Mac Rannall, heir to the Chieftainship of Muintir-Eolais, died of a surfeit of drinkin.” And O’Flaherty adds “drinking uisge-beatha” – Usguebaugh or whiskey. See Annals of Clonmacnoise, AD 1405. "

"Arch. Inventory Crannóg. ‘Otter Island.’ Towards the W shore of the triangular E end of Lough Scur (48). Crannóg. ‘Crannoge.’ At a narrow point connecting the triangular E end with the triangular central part of Lough Scur (48). Tower. ‘Prison (in Ruins).’ In mixed woodland on a rock outcrop island on Lough Scur. Reputedly this was built as a prison, probably by John Reynolds of Castle John c.200m to S across the lake, in 1612 when he was the sheriff of Leitrim; it is more likely to have been built as a watchtower (207). Fortified house. ‘Castle John (in Ruins).’ On a promontory near the S shocre of Lough Scur in an area of scrub and rock outcrop. Built by John Reynolds, who received a grand of over 2,000 acres in 1621-1 (213). "

"A RECONSIDERATION OF SOME PLACE-NAMES FROM THE ANNALS OF CONNACHT Diarmuid Ó Murchadha Ainm Iml. VI 1994-5 Clochoileán, An 1306. Mag Ragnaill taisech Muintiri hEolais do marbad… arin Clachoilen, unde dell in Clachoilein. (‘Prob. in S. Leitrim.’) Prob. Castle Island on L.Scur (tl. Gowly, par.Kiltubbrid, bar./Co. Leitrim). ‘There is an old castle on this island, the former seat of the ancient family of Mac Ranionell or Reynolds’. (J O’Donovan, OSNB Leit. ii, 315). "

(Reynolds/Duigenan)

'forks'