Turin Castle - Kilmaine near Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Turin Castle, outside Kilmaine, Co. Mayo

Donor

by Dympna Collins

1238 was a dramatic year in the long and turbulent history of County Mayo.  We are informed by the Annals of the Four Masters that foreigners erected castles in Conmacnaine Cuile (Kilmaine).

The foreigners were Anglo-Normans, led by Richard de Burgo, son of William de Burgo, who received in 1228, the Overlordship of the whole of Connacht from King, Henry II making Richard the “Red Earl“ the most powerful man in Ireland.

More Irish than the Irish themselves

Until Elizabethan times the de Burgo dynasty survived and flourished when the two hereditary titles of upper and lower Mac William were finally abolished. During this time, the de Burgos had become completely integrated into Gaelic society, adopting Gaelic customs, laws and language, becoming “Hiberniores Hibernis ipis” (more Irish than the Irish themselves).   However, this was the beginning of the end of the old Gaelic order in Ireland and opened the way for the final conquest and plantation of Ireland.

Origins

Any traces of the origins of Turin Castle are sadly lost in the mists of time. According to the chronicler O’Donovan, “In the parish of Kilmaine, there are several square castles said to have been built by the Burkes (de Burgos). There is one in Turin, one in Cregduff, one in Elistron and one in Killernan.”

Name and meaning

Turin would appear to derive from the old Irish meaning ‘small bleaching field’. This may suggest that Turin Castle was involved in the very lucrative trade of sheep farming; there was a growing market for hides, meat and wool in continental Europe.

Kilmaine Barony

By the mid 16th century, Kilmaine politically and economically was the most important barony in the county and by 1574 there were 41 castles in an area, being the highest concentration of castles in Connacht and an indication that agriculture was on an industrial scale.

Trade

These producers were the owners of estates, who would have enjoyed the protection of the upper and lower Mac William.  The Mac Williams would profit from the duty imposed, which would probably directly affect the commodity market price in Galway. Keeping the lines of communication open was essential, hence the need for a line of castles protecting the trade route from Lough Mask/Carra/Corrib to Galway.  

Following the subjugation and pacification of the Gaelic lords and subsequent plantation of Mayo, many of the castles were abandoned by the new English settlers as they, preferred the comfort of manor houses, and in some cases, incorporating the existing building as occurred in Ballinrobe.

It is known that Turin Castle was abandoned for at least two hundred and fifty years.

It is now restored and in excellent condition see: http://www.celticcastles.com/castles/turin-castle/