Parke’s Castle was built by an English Captain named Robert Parke in the early 17th Century. While classified as a castle, it is more accurately a semi-fortified manor house of the plantation period, sharing many of the defensive characteristics of a castle. The foundations of O’Rourkes castle, a late medieval fortification known as a tower house can be seen in the courtyard. It was built by Brian O’Rourke, Prince of Breifne. It is thought to have been 4 to 6 stories in height. In 1588, O’Rourke sheltered a shipwrecked Captain of the Spanish Armada in his castle. Many of the chieftains had formed alliances with Spain in their war against the English. Subsequently, O’Rourke was executed for treason against the Crown and Parke was granted