It is now leased to a farmer by the Earl of Essex.
| Authorities Consulted. |
| Weld, “Statistical Survey of County Roscommon.” |
| O’Conor Don, “O’Conors of Connaught.” |
| Meehan, “Irish Franciscan Monasteries.” |
| Joyce, “Irish Names of Places.” |
| State Documents. |
| State Papers. |
| Carew MSS., including Hook of Howth. |
| Parliamentary Gazetteer. |
| MS. Ordnance Survey. |
| Murphy, “The Castle of Roscommon,” in Journal of Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland. |
ROSS CASTLE.
ROSS CASTLE
“Its embers smouldering here and there,
Unfed, the civil war-flame dies;
But still defiant on the air,
O’er Rosse the green flag proudly flies.
* * * * *
“’Till Birnam wood meets Dunsinane,’
Macbeth before no foe shall quail,
And Rosse may all assaults disdain,
’Till on Lough Lein strange ship shall sail.’”
A. B. Rowan.
This castle is situated on what is now known as the Island of Ross, on the east shore of Lough Lene, or the Lower Lake of Killarney, about a mile and three-quarters south of the town.