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 |
| Client | Hynes Clan |
Dunguaire Castle (which means Dún Guaire in Irish) is a cool old castle from the 1500s. It's a type of building called a tower house. You can find it on the beautiful southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland. It's very close to a town called Kinvara.
The castle gets its name from King Guaire. He was a famous king from a long time ago in a place called Connacht. The castle's tall tower, which is about 75 feet (23 meters) high, and its strong walls have been fixed up. Today, you can visit the castle grounds during the summer. Did you know the slates on the castle roof came from an old school in Kinvara?
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Exploring Dunguaire Castle's Past
Who Built Dunguaire Castle?
Dunguaire Castle was built by the Ó hEidhin clan. These were important chiefs who ruled the area around Kinvara. This region was known as Coill Ua bhFiachrach. They also controlled a larger area called Uí Fiachrach Aidhne. This area stretched from a place called the Burren to Galway Bay on one side, and to Slieve Aughty on the other.
Dunguaire Castle in the Movies
Dunguaire Castle has even been a star in some movies!
- In 1969, it appeared in the Walt Disney movie Guns in the Heather. In the film, the castle was called Boyne Castle. A young Kurt Russell was in this movie.
- Later, in 1979, the castle was used in the film North Sea Hijack. It was shown as the Scottish castle home of the main character.
Fun Legends of Dunguaire Castle
There are many interesting stories and legends connected to Dunguaire Castle. One well-known local legend is called "The Road of the Dishes" (Bothar na Mias). This story involves King Guaire himself and a saint named St. Colman of Kilmacduagh. It's a tale that people in the region still tell today!
