24 Feb Cloughoughter Castle , County Cavan
Rising from an Island is Lough Oughter is a massive , circular stone tower , 59ft high. The lower storey , with walls 6ft thick , was built in the 13th century on an existing crannog , or artificial island , which had natural rock as a foundation.
During the 17th century struggles between the Irish and the Ulster settlers , William Bedell , Protestant Bishop of Kilmore , was imprisoned in the tower by the O’Reillys of Cavan. Soon after , Cromwell landed in Ireland and attacked the stronghold , which surrendered , the last confederate fortress to succumb to the Protestants. The tower can be reached by boat from Inishconnell.
Cloughoughter Castle is a real hidden gem that is a truly spectacular sight.