Caisleán léirithe anseo [= 'Site of Ballingarry Castle' SO]

“About two miles N. of Ballyheigh is a small Castle called Ballingarry, built by Colonel David Crosbie, together with some entrenchments as a defence to a narrow isthmus, that led into a small Peninsula; whither he retired with several English families, during the Wars of 1641, to avoid the fury of the Irish. He built several houses for them in the Isthmus, and caused two covered ways to be made from the Castle to a draw-bridge, which formed the Peninsula, in order to have his people pass and repass, with security. As he was supplied by means of the Earl of Inchiquin’s friends with provisions from the county of Clare side of the Shannon by water, he was enabled to defend the place above a year, when at length, the drawbridge was treacherously let down by one Kelly whom he had in his service, the Irish gained admission into the fortress. ...

In the Townland of Cloghaunlash, on a point of the Cliff overlooking the Shannon stood a Castle called Ballingarry. Only a small portion of one end of it now remains. OC

“There is also on the South side of the Island the remains of a strong wall with an oblong doorway which is the only entrance to the Island , from this doorway to the opposite Bank is a very narrow passage and adjoining the main land, is a natural cave for a short distance and then seems to be continued artificially from there to the Castle, this underground passage can be traced on the Upper Surface having a bank on each side and a hollow space between leading from the Castle to the mouth of the Cave. (44) “There is also in the Island traces of Several foundations of small houses placed irregularly, for what purpose I can’t say, but evidently this Island was fortified and probably used as a refuge for the inhabitants of this Castle.” John Berne.

“[Ballingarry] Several houses were built on this “isthmus” by Col. David Crosbie to which – he retired with several English families during the wars of 1641 – and in one of them he was surprised and taken – owing to the treachery of one of his servants named Kelly who let down the drawbridge by which the Irish gained admission into the fortress – vide Smith) The Colonel also made two covered ways from the Castle to the Drawbridge in order to have his people pass and repass with security” Thos. Larcom