Carrigogunnell Castle (Irish: Chairrge Ó gCoinneall) is a medieval Irish fortification near the village of Clarina, on the banks of the River Shannon in County Limerick. The structure dates to at least the early 13th century, and was slighted in September 1691 after being captured during the second siege of Limerick. Description The castle is built on outcrop trap rock of volcanic origin that overlooks the low lands of Limerick, and the River Shannon. claimed that the plan showed little appreciation of defensive science, and as a result attributed it to the Irish Gaelic tribe of the Dalcassians. The main (southern) gateway he thought poorly defended, lacking sidetowers, and with walls under thick - the gate itself led to by a shallow slope. The absence of towers at the junctions of walls, and the confused plan of buildings within the defenses were taken by Westropp as evidence of the place being only a suitable as a fortified residence, and not fitted for defense of an assault or siege. The main southern gate was the only exit, excluding a sally port on the west side leading to the crags of the rock formation. The castle had an outer ward of around in area, approximately harp shaped in plan, with a tower in the SW corner. Much of the west wall had been removed (1908). A large two storey skewed-rectangularish building was located on the NE corner of the ward, suggested without any obvious remaining evidence to have been a chapel. The inner (upper) ward was inset in the NW corner of the castle, with a range of two story buildings along the west wall, showing at least two periods of construction; there was a keep in the northwestmost corner; a range of accommodation adjacent to it to the east; and a tower and staircase on the south side. The buildings are of well-cut local limestone - and not of the rock of the outcrop. The Keep was over high, with 5 stories and a spiral stair; in c.1908 only the outwall and parts of the southern wall remained; it shows architectural indicators dating it to the 14th of 15th centuries. To the east of the keep was a three story residence, probably 16th century. Name - etymology and history The castle and or area, as "Carraic Ui gConaing" are referred to in the Annals of Innisfallen (1209) as being confirmed by