Manorhamilton Castle

Manorhamilton Castle, County Leitrim
Photo © Kenneth Allen, 16 September 2009

Hamilton proved to be a tyrant, noted for his cruelty to prisoners, many of whom he is known to have publicly hanged. After sustained rebellion the Castle was burned to the ground in 1652 by the native Irish, although not before Hamilton had taken the opportunity to burn Sligo town.

Manorhamilton Castle and Heritage Centre

The ruins of Manorhamilton Castle has recently been impressively renovated transforming it into a fascinating tourist attraction. The Castle was erected as a baronial mansion during the plantation of Leitrim in 1634 by Sir Frederick Hamilton, who was granted land in North Leitrim by the English government. The land had been confiscated from the O'Rourkes, the ruling clan of Breifne. Hamilton was a very unpopular overlord and faced frequent native rebellion before the Castle was burned by the Earls of Clanrickard (Burkes) in 1652. Manorhamilton Castle Heritage Centre hosts a permanent exhibition and offers guided tours of the Castle ruins and grounds