Clonoghil is a probable hall-house surrounded by an earthen ‘bawn’. Whilst Clonoghil is predominantly medieval, the site continued to be an important monument in the post-medieval period, including when it was used as a home by renowned glass makers the Bigo Family from 1623 AD. Since 2023 the Irish Heritage School have undertaken research at the site including photogrammetry, field-survey and geophysics. This work culminating in an excavation in the summers of 2024 and 2025 when three archaeological cuttings were excavated at the site, two around the castle and one across the ditch and bank.

Before the excavations commenced detailed architectural recording of the castle in 2024 concluded that both typologically and structurally the remains are most likely to be a thirteenth to fourteenth century hall house. Crucially the excavations confirmed this speculated date with a feature within the castle building and at the base of the ditch both dated to the late thirteenth to late fourteenth centuries. The excavations also exposed subtle evidence of a previously unknown ‘hall’ entrance at the castle but in a near absence of material cultural items unfortunately did not inform greatly on daily medieval occupation of the site.

References

• Dowling, F. 2023. Geophysical Survey Report, Clonoghil Upper, Co. Offaly, 23R0024. Unpublished Technical Report for the Irish Heritage School.
• Shine, D. 2025. Excavations at Clonoghil, Birr, Co. Offaly: Preliminary Archaeological Excavation Report (License no. 23E0959(ext.). Unpublished excavation report.

Sketchfab

• Clonoghil Upper Castle