it passed by marriage to the De Berminghams. From the De Berminghams it later went to the house of St. Laurence, possibly by the marriage of Lady Elizabeth Bermingham, daughter to Thomas Bermingham, Lord Athenry to Christopher St. Laurance, Earl of Howth. Athenry Castle and Priory, County Galway Athenry Monastery was built by Meiler de Bermingham in 1241. He paid 160 marks (£106.67) and requested other noblemen as well as his own knights and esquires, according to their ranks and means, to give subsidy and aid in the building of a monastery. He also gave gifts of wine, English cloth, and horses for drawing stones. When completed he presented this monastery to the Dominican friars together with another 160 marks so that they could build an abbey. Athenry Castle is also attributed to Meiler de Bermingham and stands on an artificial mound from an earlier period. It is likely Meiler got a direct grant of lands in Athenry from Richard de Burgh. He was granted a market and fair in Athenry by King Henry III in 1244: "The King to all, &c. as above. Know ye that We have granted, and by this our Charter confirmed, to Meyler de Burmingeham that he and his Heirs for ever may have One Market in every Week at their Manor of Adneri on Thursday, and One Fair there in Year to last for Eights Days, &c. as above; unless that Market and that Fair be to the Detriment of the neighbouring Markets and Fairs. Wherefore We will, &c. Witnesses and given as above." Dunmore Castle, County Galway Dunmore – from the Irish an Dún Mór, meaning the big fort. Dunmore Castle is a fortified tower which was built by the Meiler de Bermingham in about 1225. It was burned by the Irish in 1249, 1284 and 1315. In the early 14th century it was raised by a second storey and in the 16th century a gabled roof, fireplaces and chimneys were added. The De Bermingham family held the castle until Cromwellian times and it was inhabited up until the 19th century. References Bermingham: Origins and History of the Family Name – 1060 to 1830, Douglas P. Bermingham, 2012. Manual of origin, descent, etc., of Barony of Athenry, Dublin, 1820. Carbury and the Birminghams's county Matthew Devitt, Journal of the Kildare Archaeological and Historical Society, (1896–99) Notes on the Bermingham Pedigree G. H. Orpen,