Dunguaire Castle

The small village of Kinvara is home to the magnificent Dunguaire Castle, a 16th-century castle on the south-eastern shore of Galway Bay in Ireland.

Considered to be the most photographed castle in the country, Dunguaire Castle is open to the public during the summer, and offers an exceptional panorama of Kinvara harbor and the Atlantic Ocean…

For the more adventurous, you can even take part in a medieval banquet!

History of Dunguaire Castle

A castle built in the 16th century by the Hynes clan…

The Dunguaire castle – © kwiatek7

The castle is believed to have been built in 1520 by the Hynes clan, a family who ruled the region.

since 662. Legend has it that the castle was built on the site of the former royal palace of Guaire mac Aidne Colmáin, one of the most famous kings of Connacht.

In the 17th century, the château changed hands and came into the hands of Oliver Martin. In the 20th century, Dunguaire Castle was once again bought out and fell into the hands of Oliver St John Gogarty, a renowned poet and surgeon.

The latter then renovated the castle, making it a meeting place for great artists such as William Butler Yeats and George Bernard Shaw.

In 1954, the castle was purchased by Lady Christobel Ampthill, and renovations continued until it was finally bought by “Shannon Development”, an Irish company managing numerous Irish tourist sites, who decided to open the castle to the public every summer.

Visit Dunguaire Castle

Take part in medieval banquets!

A banquet at Dunguaire Castle – dmerino13 – cc

Dunguaire castle features a large square tower protected by a defensive wall.

Built on the shores of Galway Bay, the building’s location is as idyllic as it is strategic, and at the time provided an effective means of fighting off enemy assaults.

Visits to the château are only possible in summer, and give access to an interior courtyard, as well as floors leading to banqueting halls and richly decorated bedrooms…

During the tourist season, the castle organizes medieval banquets every evening, where you’ll be greeted by Irishmen in period costume, who will treat you to a veritable feast… (Please note that you’ll need to reserve your place several days in advance!)