Oranmore Castle

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County Galway

Oranmore Castle is a castle in Oranmore, County Galway, in Ireland.

History

Oranmore Castle was most likely built some time around the 15th century, possibly on top of an older castle.[1] The Clanricardes, a notable family from Galway, used it as a stronghold. In March 1642 the town, Oranmore, joined Confederate Ireland in a rebellion, against which the owners of the castle, the Marquess and the fifth Earl Clanricarde, held out.[1] Clanricarde supplied the Fort of Galway from the sea until 1643, when, without the Marquess’s sanction, Captain Willoughby Governor of Galway surrendered.[1][2]

While ownership was temporarily lost, the 6th Earl regained possession, and in 1666 leased the castle to Walter Athy, whose descendents kept control of Oranmore until 1853.[1] It was then abandoned and left to the elements.[3]

The castle was reroofed after Anita Leslie purchased it in 1947 for £200, as it had fallen into disrepair.[4][5]

Layout

The castle, a rectangular towerhouse, has four stories, a square staircase turret, and gunloops on the bottom floor. [6]

Media

Oranmore Castle was featured in the 23 March 2001 episode of The Scariest Places on Earth.[3] It was also used for the shooting of Alfred the Great.[7] It also served as a film location for the Jack Taylor (TV Series) film The Pikeman.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "History". Oranmore Castle. Retrieved 4 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ Furey, Brian (1991). Oranmore Maree: a history of a cultural and social heritage. p. 43. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Oranmore Castle". discoverireland.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ "Wartime submarine commander and adventurer turns 100". Galway News. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2013. 
  5. ↑ Bence-Jones, Mark (1978). Burke's Guide to Country Houses. Burke's Peerage. p. 229. 
  6. ↑ "Oranmore Castle". phouka.com. Retrieved 4 January 2014. 
  7. ↑ "Film Location". Oranmore Castle. Retrieved 4 January 2014. 

Coordinates: 53°25′04″N 9°16′16″W / 53.41778°N 9.27111°W / 53.41778; -9.27111

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