Castlecoote[1] (otherwise known in Irish: Bhaile Mhic Oireachtaigh[2]) is a townland within the civil parishofFuerty on the R366 regional road near the town of RoscommoninCounty Roscommon, Ireland. Castlecoote is known for Castlecoote house and the ruins of a much older castle.[3]The River Suck, which encircles Castlecoote House, is renowned for its trout and coarse fishing.[4]
Castlecoote's English name is derived from 'Coote', literally translated meaning 'Coote's Castle', in which Sir Charles Coote, 'President of Connaught' during the rebellion of 1641 lived.[5] Castlecoote is a primarily agricultural village.
The present Castlecoote house was built on the site of an earlier medieval castle, believed to have been built between 1570 and 1616. The castle was based at a strategic side and it is suggested that it was the base of the Chieftains of Fuerty, the MacGeraghty clan. In 1616 it was in the possession of Sir Charles Coote, who refortified and improved the castle. It was attacked thrice by the confederate forces in the 1640s.
The present house was constructed later and was built within the enclosure of the now ruinous old castle. In the basement tower rooms, the musket chambers overlook the entrance steps. In the 18th century the property was under the ownership of the Gunnings. The two famous Gunning sisters, renowned for their beauty lived here.[6] In the 20th century the house was occupied by a well-known equestrian, Henry D. Strevens. The present owner, restored the property after purchasing it in 1997.[7]
The town is situated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin and is served by a church in the village. There are several pubs in the vicinity as well as the Castlecoote stores and a disused stone mill.[8] The village has been awarded a category A gold medal at the 2019 Tidy Towns competition.[9]
The ruin of the SE corner flanking tower on the lawn in front of the house. Part of the old castle's C17 fortifications.
^Descriptive Remarks; as Ainmleabhar Paróiste na Suirbhéireachta Ordanáis/from the Ordnance Survey Parish Namebook Lámhscríbhinn Bliain: 1830-40. pp. RC031, 10.
^Gantz, Ida (1963). The Pastel Portrait. The Gunnings of CastleCoote and Howards of Hampstead. [With Plates, Including Portraits, and with a Genealogical Table.] Cresset Press.
