Dunguaire Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunguaire Castle |
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Dunguaire Castle exterior
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| General information | |
| Type | tower house |
| Location | Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°08′31″N 8°55′34″W / 53.142°N 8.926°W |
| Completed | 16th century |
| Affiliation | Hynes clan |
Dunguaire Castle (pronounced "Dun-GWAIR-uh") is a cool 16th-century castle in Ireland. It sits right on the edge of Galway Bay in County Galway, near a town called Kinvara. The castle's name comes from an old Irish word, "dún," which means "fort." It was named after King Guaire, a famous king from long ago.
This castle is a type of building called a tower house. It has a tall, strong tower that is about 75 feet (23 meters) high. The castle also has a strong defensive wall around it. Today, both the tower and walls have been fixed up.
You can visit Dunguaire Castle during the summer months. It's a great place to explore history! From April to October, you can even book a special banquet there. You get a four-course meal and fun entertainment, just like people might have done centuries ago.
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Castle History
Who Built Dunguaire Castle?
Dunguaire Castle was built by the Ó hEidhin (Hynes) family. They were important chiefs in the area around Kinvara. This family lived in a region that stretched from the Burren to Galway Bay. A scholar named John O'Donovan wrote about this in the 1800s. He studied old Irish families and their lands.
Dunguaire Castle in Movies
This historic castle has even appeared in movies! In 1969, it was featured in a Walt Disney film called Guns in the Heather. In the movie, Dunguaire Castle was called Boyne Castle. Later, in 1979, it was used again. It played the part of a Scottish castle in the film North Sea Hijack.
Fun Legends
The Road of the Dishes
Like many old castles, Dunguaire has its own legends. One well-known story is called "The Road of the Dishes" (or "Bothar na Mias" in Irish). This legend tells a tale about King Guaire and a holy man named St. Colman of Kilmacduagh. Legends are old stories passed down through time. They often mix history with imagination.
