Never Miss Any Updates! Subscribe Here And Receive Free Access To Our Irish Castles E-Course!

Enter Your E-mail Address

Enter Your First Name (optional)

Then Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you Enjoy Irish Culture ezine.

Tower House Castles Of Ireland

On this page we will show you a selection of the tower house castles of Ireland. These are some of the castles we have visited in the last year.

Dunguaire Castle just outside the beautiful seaside village of Kinvara, County Galway, was built in the 1520ies by the local ruling family, the Gaelic O'Hayes clan.

This selection will give you a good idea of what these castles have in common and how they are each individual. You will also get a feel for just how many of these tower house castles there are in Ireland- an awful lot. County Galway alone is said to have some two hundred.

Generally speaking, tower house castles are castles built in the style of a square or nearly square tower. Window sizes are kept very small usually as in the time of siege warfare, attackers would try to mount the castle with ladders to gain entry.

Tower houses were defended structures, built first by the Normans, but later adopted by the Irish. Most tower houses that are intact today stem from the 15th and 16th centuries. During that period, there was a huge building boom in castles, grant aided by the Crown. Many castles were now built by Irish chieftains who adopted the model.

Cargin Castle in County Galway, restored to look as castles would have looked in medieval times.

Ballindooley Castle, County Galway, lovingly restored by its owners.

The ruin of Clonboo Castle on the right, both in County Galway.

A spooky place to visit- the ruin of Ballykine Castle a half hour walk through the woods from Clonbur, County Galway. This is said to be one of the oldest castles in the area and its' structure is somewhat different- note the two large arches in the side.

Athenry Castle, a 12th century military castle in this Norman stronghold. Very clear lines, no fuss. Note the formidable look!

The ruin of Annaghkeen Castle, County Galway on the left said to have consisted of four towers originally.

Above, the 15th century Claregalway Castle, stunning in beautiful evening sunlight. This Irish Castle was of huge importance in Irish history with direct links to Henry VIII.

Annaghdown Castle, County Galway, a mid 15th century DeBurgo Castle right on the shores of Lough Corrib that used to control lake access to Galway City, a castle with beautiful features and lovingly restored by its' present owners. Watch a video of our castle visit at Annaghdown here.

Find Out More About
The Tower House Castles Of Ireland:

More Castle Facts

Hi there, hope you liked our article on tower house castles in Galway, Ireland.

If you like what we do on this website, why not support us with a social shout out.

Much appreciated.

Return to the top of this page.

Return to Irish Castles.

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee

We invest a lot of our own funds and free time into this website so that you can find out about Irish culture, heritage  and history. 

Please return the favour and help us cover our cost by clicking on Google ads and/ or buying us a cup of coffee! Thank you so much in advance.

Warmest regards, Colm & Susanna

New! Comments

Like what you just read? Leave us a comment!