It is probable that it was demolished at this time. Tradition states it was burned by fugitive Irish after the battle of Aughrim, and some blackened joists are pointed out in corroboration. It is now leased to a farmer by the Earl of Essex. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. Weld, “Statistical Survey of County Roscommon.” O’Conor Don, “O’Conors of Connaught.” Meehan, “Irish Franciscan Monasteries.” Joyce, “Irish Names of Places.” State Documents. State Papers. Carew MSS., including Hook of Howth. Parliamentary Gazetteer. MS. Ordnance Survey. Murphy, “The Castle of Roscommon,” in _Journal of Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland_. [Illustration: ROSS CASTLE.] _ROSS CASTLE_ “Its embers smouldering here and there, Unfed, the civil war-flame dies; But still defiant on the air, O’er Rosse the green flag proudly flies. p p p p p “‘Till Birnam wood meets Dunsinane,’ Macbeth before no foe shall quail, And Rosse may all assaults disdain, ’Till on Lough Lein strange ship shall sail.’” A. B. ROWAN. This castle is situated on what is now known as the Island of Ross, on the east shore of Lough Lene, or the Lower Lake of Killarney, about a mile and three-quarters south of the town. The island has been artificially formed by cutting across the peninsula or _ros_ on which the fortress is built and from which it takes its name. The channel, which is flooded by the waters of the lake, is crossed by a bridge, although it is usually dry during the summer months. This bridge was formerly protected by a guard house and gates, which were closed every night, sentinels being posted at the entrance when the castle was garrisoned in later times. The present ruins consist of a keep, with the remains of the surrounding bawn wall, which was flanked by semicircular towers at the corners. A spiral stone stair leads to the top of the keep, with doorways opening at the various floors. The fortress is based on a limestone rock, and sustained on the land side by a buttress of masonry. The peninsula contains 158 acres, and copper mines were opened on it in 1804, which were worked for four years, in which time £80,000 worth of ore was extracted. Water getting in stopped further work. It was clearly proved that the mines had been worked many centuries before, and a number of stone implements, locally called “Danes’ hammers,” have been found on the island. The castle is supposed to have been built towards the close of the fourteenth century by the family of O’Donoghue-Ross, who added the appellation of their home to distinguish them from the family of O’Donoghue-More. A modern barrack capable of holding some two hundred men and officers was erected against the keep, but when it ceased to be used Lord Kenmare had the unsightly erection removed.