Gleninagh Castle is one of those gigantic ruined fortresses that haunt Ireland’s highlands. Located in County Galway, this 16th-century square tower was once owned by the O’Loughlin family, a wealthy family who ruled the area until 1890…
Built in the 16th century by the O’Loughlin family, this fortress was erected to watch over the north shore of the Burren. You’ll find it in a field close to a pebble beach. Suffice to say, the site is idyllic!
To get there, simply park at the end of a small road off the Lisdoonvarna road (L54), then walk to Gleninagh Castle through the tall grass (watch out for the mud on wet days, when the field becomes a veritable bog!).
Gleninagh Castle was inhabited by the family until 1890, then gradually fell into neglect over the years, until it was completely abandoned, then listed as a National Monument.
The tower’s main feature is its rectangular, L-shaped plan, comprising a 4-storey tower and a number of structures added at the base of the fort to maintain and reinforce the building. It’s important to note that the fortress itself is now in ruins, so take care if you wish to venture inside Gleninagh Castle.
Among the things to see, you can visit the small turret adjoining the fortress, as well as the central building, with its 4-storey tower. To visit the latter, you’ll find an entrance on the ground floor, which is quite rare for a château, which normally has an entrance on the 1st floor, accessible via a wooden structure. As you pass through the entrance, you’ll admire the magnificent machicolations, as well as the different floors… The 3rd level features a poorly-preserved vaulted roof, as well as a dungeon where thieves and other criminals were once locked up.
During your visit, you’ll see the incredible number of windows and loopholes in the fortress walls. You’ll then have the chance to admire the fabulous panorama dominated by Gleninagh Castle: it overlooks an inlet of the sea, as does the shore opposite, overlooking the Burren in County Clare.
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