The first written record of this townland is in 1545 in Hardiman’s Irish Deeds (P.56). It has successfully retained its original name, albeit with variations on the English spelling, to this day. The name is derived from a family and means The Homeplace of the Uí Mharcacháin/O’Markahans’. Despite this, it is best identified with the McNamara clan, in whose ownership it lay for many generations. It was briefly possessed by the Normans whilst holding power in Quin from about 1276 to 1287. It is best known for the Tower House Castle built by the McNamara’s.
Ballymarkahan comprises 1.96 km²/0.76 square miles or 485 acres
1641 Books of Survey & Distribution: Sean McNamara, Thomas Arthur
1656 Owner: William Lysaght (whose properties in Limerick had been confiscated and the family allocated these lands in compensation).
1659 Census: Population 11; Owner Nicholas Strich (English settler).
The Earl of Thomond, Donough O’Brien, took his newly titled position to lengths that even the English themselves did not go. He was anxious to ensure that lands in his possession were managed by means not familiar to the native Irish, so he encouraged the transplant of Dutch and English into Ballymarkahan amongst other townlands. In 1689, Giles Vandeleure was in possession of lands here. Catholics dispossessed in other parts of Ireland were also allocated land in Ballymarkahan.
1855 Griffiths Valuation (property owners): John Blood, James Butler, Anastasia Clune, Patrick Clune, John Haneen (Hannon?), James McNamara, Michael McNamara, Patrick Scanlan, Thomas McDonnell.
200 years after Cromwell’s conquest and the confiscation of land, the McNamara’s were still to be found in Ballymarkahan, initially as tenants of the new settlers, but as the record above shows, eventually becoming land owners again.
Dr Patrick McDonnell and family, of Quin, in 1880’s. Is this the same family recorded as living in Ballymarkahan in 1855?
1891 Census, Households: 7, Population: 37
1901 Census of Residents: Timothy McNamara; Patrick (G/Father), Michael & Jane Guerin plus two daughters, two boarders, one visitor; Thomas & Catherine McNamara plus five daughters; Bridget Clune plus two daughters, three sons; Michael & Margaret Clune plus one son, two daughters; Margaret Keehan plus one son, three daughters; Charles Scanlan plus servant. Population: 34
1911 Census of Residents: Thomas & Catherine McNamara plus four daughters; Margaret Keehan plus one son, three daughters; Charles & Hannah Scanlan plus one daughter, two sons, one boarder; Michael & Margaret Clune plus one son, two daughters; Bridget Clune plus two sons; Michael & Jane Guerin plus three daughter, two sons, one labourer. Population: 33
Áth Solas – Baile Uí Mharcacháin
In the 1842 25” OS map, a road is shown linking Ardsolas to Ballymarkahan Castle. The section of this road between the Snugborough-Quin and the Quin-Sixmilebridge roads no longer exists. When the Castle was vacated and the Sixmilebridge road was extended from Ballymarkahan Castle to Quin in the mid-eighteenth century, it may have undermined the use of this route. The main route to Ennis would have been Ballymarkahan via Ardsolas and Doora.
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National Monuments
CL042-173001 – Fulacht Fiadh CL042-035— – Enclosure CL042-048002 – Enclosure
CL042-173002 – Fulacht Fiadh CL042-036— – Enclosure CL042-179- -StandingStone
CL042-174002 – Fulacht Fiadh CL042-034— – Enclosure CL042-047- -Megalith tomb
CL042-175— – Fulacht Fiadh CL042-040— – Enclosure CL042-045- -Ringfort Cashel
CL042-176— – Fulacht Fiadh CL042-049— – Enclosure CL042-046- -Ringfort Cashel
CL042-048004 -Ringfort Cashel
Ballymarkahan Castle & Tower House CL042-037002
An excellent article has been published by Ristéard Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen on this monument in The Other Clare Vol.42 and re-produced with permission elsewhere on this website:
https://ebw.pms.mybluehost.me/ballymarkahan-castle-courtesy-of-ua-croinin-and-breen/
This provides as much information on the McNamara-Riabhach sept as it does about the castle itself. Its a fascinating read so there is no need for me to cover this again in this post. Unfortunately, like many other national monuments, this one is being allowed to deteriorate and return to earth without any care to at preserve what’s left, let alone restore it.
Ballymarkahan Castle as it is today
Closing Comments
Ballymarkahan townland, which sits adjacent to Knopoge, is rich in National Monument features. Its most obvious monument is the castle referred to above. This is however, much neglected and likely to disappear through neglect.
The history of this townland perfectly represents the history of the local McNamara sept. They in turn, represent a large element of the history of Quin and West Clann Chuiléin. If the remaining monuments in this and other nearby townlands are not respected and protected, we will be removing vital assets for the enrichment of future generations.
Reference websites:
National Monument & Heritage map
Townland/Placename information:
