Gallarus Castle facts for kids
Gallarus Castle is an old, strong stone building in a place called Baile na nGall in County Kerry, Ireland. It's a special type of mini-castle known as a tower house. This castle is one of the few old fortified buildings that are still standing on the Dingle Peninsula today.
What is a Tower House?
A tower house is like a small, strong castle. It usually has several floors and thick stone walls. People built these tower houses in Ireland, especially in the 1400s (the 15th century), to protect themselves and their families. They were homes but also fortresses, designed to keep out attackers. Gallarus Castle has four floors and is shaped like a rectangle.
Who Lived in Gallarus Castle?
Gallarus Castle was built in the 1400s by a powerful family known as the Geraldine Dynasty. Specifically, it was built by the Knight of Kerry. This wasn't just a regular knight; it was a special title passed down through generations in the Geraldine family. They were important people in the area and needed a strong home like Gallarus Castle.
Today, Gallarus Castle is an important Irish heritage site. This means it's a protected historical place that helps us learn about Ireland's past.
Inside the Castle
Over the years, Gallarus Castle has been carefully fixed up, or restored, to keep it strong. A new rectangular doorway was added to the north side of the castle. Inside, you won't find a stone staircase on the lower floors. Instead, there's a special staircase built right into the wall on the east side, called a mural stairway. The ceilings on the third and fourth floors are vaulted, which means they are curved like an arch, making them very strong.
Gallarus Castle is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) away from another famous old building called the Gallarus Oratory. While the Oratory is very well-known, Gallarus Castle is also a fascinating piece of history to explore!
