| Castlecoote | |
| Settlement Type: | Townland |
| Named For: | Coote Family |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Ireland |
| Pushpin Map: | Ireland |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Ireland |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Connacht |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | County Roscommon |
| Timezone1 Dst: | IST (WEST) |
| Timezone1: | WET |
Castlecoote[1] (otherwise known in [2]) is a townland within the civil parish of Fuerty on the R366 regional road near the town of Roscommon in County Roscommon, Ireland. Castlecoote is known for Castlecoote house and the ruins of a much older castle.[3] The River Suck, which encircles Castlecoote House, is renowned for its trout and coarse fishing.[4]
Castlecoote's English name is derived from 'Coote', literally translated meaning 'Coote's Castle', in which Sir Charles Coote, 'President of Connaught' during the rebellion of 1641 lived.[5] Castlecoote is a primarily agricultural village.
Castlecoote House, built on the site of a medieval castle from between 1570 and 1616, once served as the base for the MacGeraghtys of Fuerty, was later fortified by the owner, Sir Charles Coote, in 1616. It was attacked three times in the 1640s by Irish Confederates. [6]
The present house was constructed later and was built within the enclosure of the now ruinous old castle. In the basement tower rooms, the musket chambers overlook the entrance steps. In the 18th century the property was under the ownership of the Gunnings. The two famous Gunning sisters, renowned for their beauty, lived here.[7] In the 20th century the house was occupied by an equestrian, Henry D. Strevens. The present owner restored the property after purchasing it in 1997 in a derelict condition.[8]
The town is situated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin and is served by a church in the village. There are several pubs in the vicinity as well as the Castlecoote stores and a disused stone mill.[9] The village has been awarded a category A gold medal at the 2019 Tidy Towns competition.[10]