Aughnanure Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aughnanure Castle
 |
|
|---|---|
| Caisleán Achadh na nlubhar | |
| County Galway, Connacht Near Oughterard in Ireland |
|
.jpg) |
|
 Aughnanure Castle
Location in Ireland
|
|
| Coordinates | 53°25′04″N 9°16′16″W / 53.41778°N 9.27111°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | NMS |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Fully restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | Late 15th Century |
| Built by | O'Flaherty |
| In use | 17th Century |
| Fate | Fell to ruin |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Galway |
| Official name | Aughanure Castle |
| Reference no. | 470 |
Aughnanure Castle is a cool old tower house located near Oughterard in County Galway, in the west of Ireland. The O'Flaherty family built it way back in the late 1400s. It was fixed up and made new again in the 1960s. Today, you can visit this amazing castle from March to November each year.
Contents
Castle History: Who Lived Here?
This castle was built by the O'Flaherty family. They were a very important and powerful family in the Connacht area of Ireland. Aughnanure is one of over 200 tower houses in County Galway. Most of these old castles are now just ruins.
The castle is close to Lough Corrib. Its Irish name, Caisleán Achadh na nlubhar, means "Castle of the field of the yews." Long ago, there was a huge forest of yew trees stretching from the castle almost all the way to Galway.
What Does the Castle Look Like?
Aughnanure Castle is the only medieval castle in the Connemara region that is still standing and open to visitors. It has a six-story tower house with cool features like battlements (crenellations) and special openings (machicolations) for dropping things on attackers. It also has small turrets (bartizans) and carved water-spouts.
Around the main tower, there's a unique double wall (bawn) with a round watchtower. There are also docks for boats and a ruined banqueting hall. This hall has beautiful carvings of grapes and vines.
The O'Flaherty Family's Power
The O'Flaherty chiefs controlled the castle area from about 1250. The tower house itself was built around 1490. By this time, the O'Flahertys ruled a huge area called Iar Connacht. This land was about 250,000 acres and gave them great access to the Atlantic Ocean. This was important for trading with countries in Europe.
Changes in Ownership
In 1572, a man named Sir Edward Fitton captured the castle. He was the President of Connaught. He gave the castle to Murrough na dTuadh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, who was a younger member of the O'Flaherty family. Murrough agreed to follow the rules of the English Crown. This decision caused problems and made the O'Flaherty family weaker. They lost control of the castle.
However, they managed to get it back for a short time in 1641 during a rebellion.
The Castle During the Siege of Galway
Aughnanure Castle played a role in supplying the city of Galway during the Cromwellian siege in 1652. At that time, the Earl of Clanrickard controlled the castle. When Galway surrendered, the castle was left empty.
Later, the O'Flahertys bought the castle back. But they lost it again to Lord St George because of a mortgage they couldn't pay.
Saving Aughnanure Castle
In 1932, a distant relative of the O'Flahertys, Peadar O'Flaherty, bought the castle. He understood how important it was for history and architecture. In 1952, he gave it to the Irish State so it could be protected and preserved. Sadly, he passed away shortly after making this generous gift.
Today, the Office of Public Works manages Aughnanure Castle. This is an Irish government group that takes care of national monuments and historic places.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Aughnanure para niños
