Gallarus Castle is a superb 15th-century fortress on the Dingle Peninsula… Built in the form of a large 4-storey square tower, the castle is now partly in ruins, but is still freely accessible to visitors…
Built on the green plains of the Dingle peninsula, Gallarus Castle is one of Kerry’s only fortified castles (although the ramparts are now in ruins). Built in the 15th century by the FitzGerald family, the fort consists of a single square tower rising 4 storeys high.
Unfortunately closed to the public, the château is located on private property… For the lucky few who are given permission to visit, a staircase takes you up to the various levels, where you can admire a magnificent mural fresco running along the fort’s steps, then extending higher up to floors 3 and 4, covering the vaulted ceiling. At the time, a 2-storey defensive structure adjoined one of the walls, enabling the fort’s inhabitants to ensure that no attackers approached the enclosure.
A great deal of renovation and conservation work has been carried out in recent years to preserve the château to the full.