Isert Kelly Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isert Kelly Castle |
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| Native name Irish: Caisleán Íseart Uí Cheallaigh |
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| Isserkelly Castle | |
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| Type | tower house |
| Location | Castlepark, Kilchreest, County Galway, Ireland |
| Height | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Built | 15th century |
| Owner | State |
| Official name: Isert Kelly Castle | |
| Reference no. | 272 |
Isert Kelly Castle is an old and strong stone building called a tower house. It's also a special National Monument in County Galway, Ireland. These castles were built for defense and living in.
Contents
Where is Isert Kelly Castle?
You can find Isert Kelly Castle about 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of a place called Kilchreest. It stands in a beautiful part of County Galway.
The History of Isert Kelly Castle
Who Built Isert Kelly Castle?
This tower house was built a long time ago, in the 15th century. It belonged to a powerful family known as the MacHubert Burkes. They were descendants of Hubert, whose father was Richard Óg de Burgh. He was a Hiberno-Norman knight from the 1200s. Later, another branch of the Burkes, called the MacRedmonds, took ownership of the castle.
Key Events at the Castle
In 1596, the castle faced a tough time when it was burned by the Ó Doṁnaill family. But it seems the castle was repaired, as a fireplace inside is dated 1604.
After a big war called the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, Isert Kelly Castle changed hands. It became the property of Dudley Persse. Much later, in the 1800s, William Persse owned it.
Recent Discoveries
From 2014 to 2016, experts did a lot of digging and studying around the castle. This kind of work, called excavation, helps us learn more about its past.
What Does Isert Kelly Castle Look Like?
Isert Kelly Castle is very well-preserved, meaning it's still in great shape. It stands tall at about 21 m (69 ft). Around the castle, there was a large walled area called a bawn, which was about 60 m (200 ft) square.
Inside this bawn, there might have been other buildings. These could have included a main hall, stables for horses, small houses, and barns for storage. The land around the castle, known as "Castlepark," covers a large area of 20.5 ha (51 acres).
Inside the Castle
The first floor of the castle has a strong arched ceiling, called a vault. It also has a fireplace, which would have kept the room warm. The second floor features arcades, which are rows of arches.
The most important room was on the third floor. This room also has a fireplace, which is special because it's dated 1604 and has the initials W.H. carved into it.
