Oranmore Castle

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "History". Oranmore Castle. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Furey, Brian (1991). Oranmore Maree: a history of a cultural and social heritage. p. 43.
  3. 1 2 "Oranmore Castle". discoverireland.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Wartime submarine commander and adventurer turns 100". Galway News. 25 June 2010. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. 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°16′5.72″N 8°56′6.25″W / 53.2682556°N 8.9350694°W / 53.2682556; -8.9350694

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