# Limavady Castle

- **Country:** Ireland
- **Coordinates:** 55.024437, -6.938100
- **Notes:** A stronghold of the O'Cahans, the tower house by the River Roe may have been built here in the late 15th century. A siege by the MacQuillans is recorded in 1542 wherein all defenders were killed. The castle was demolished in the 1820s.
- **Year Built:** 15th century
- **Castle Type:** Tower house
- **Location Text:** Limavady

Limavady Castle, historically referred to as O'Cahans Castle, stands as a ruined fortress located in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The site takes its Irish name, Léim an Mhadaidh, from the prominent O'Cahan clan, for whom it served as a vital stronghold. While the exact year of construction and specific architectural style are not detailed in surviving records within this context, the castle functioned as a key defensive position for the family prior to the mid-sixteenth century. Its strategic importance is underscored by its role in the regional power dynamics of the time, acting as a central seat for the O'Cahans before their eventual displacement.

The castle holds significant historical weight due to a violent event recorded in 1542. During this year, forces led by the MacQuillans, supported by James Butler, the 9th Earl of Ormond and Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, along with a substantial English contingent, laid siege to the structure. The assault resulted in the capture of the castle and the tragic slaughter of the entire garrison stationed there. This brutal episode marks a definitive moment in the castle's history, illustrating the intense military conflicts that characterized the region during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.

Today, Limavady Castle exists only as ruins, offering a tangible link to the turbulent past of County Londonderry. Although no longer inhabited or used for defensive purposes, the site remains categorized as a notable ruined castle in Northern Ireland. It serves as a historical landmark for those interested in the heritage of the O'Cahan family and the broader military history of the area. The remnants of the castle continue to be recognized in historical catalogues, preserving the memory of the stronghold that once dominated the local landscape before its destruction centuries ago.

![Photo of Limavady Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Cairn_of_Peace%2C_nr_Limavady_-_geograph.org.uk_-_791495.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limavady_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)