Two Circular Towers of Monea Castle
Monea Castle is another one of the plantation castles that were built in the plantation of Ulster. Looking at the number of castles that were built probably gives you an idea of the tenacity of the locals in driving away the invading English. While the local Irish didn’t succeed in driving them away that time, the castles have been left behind as a reminder of the plantation. As far as plantation castles are concerned, Monea Castle seems to be in slightly better shape compared to the previous Portora Castle. Monea has retained a lot of its features that one would recognize it as a castle.
Inside Monea Castle
Monea Castle was established by an Anglican priest in the 1600s. There was a previous castle that was built here in the site but has been taken over by Monea Castle. As far as plantation castles are concerned, this castle didn’t seem to have a town built around it. It felt much more remote compared to the other castles. It was occupied by the governor of Enniskillen for a time, but the castle was eventually abandoned when it caught fire. Really, these castles, for all their supposed strength and durability, tend to catch fire rather easily. Even Enniskillen castle was abandoned due to fire.
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