Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

In level grassland, some 35m N of the Clare River. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'John Blake fitz Ric' (Nolan 1901b, 115). A poorly preserved rectangular tower (L 10.3m, Wth 7.2m). The E end, which comprises the stairwell and subsidiary chambers, was six storeys high while the rest of the tower is five storeys high. A lean-to shed has been built against N wall. The pointed arch doorway is centrally placed in E wall with the guardroom to N and the spiral stairs to S. A stone vault exists between 1st/2nd floors. A fireplace is visible in N wall on 1st floor and the garderobe exit chute in S wall. A doorway in W gable presumably lead to the wall-walks. Corbels which supported a machicolation over the doorway are visible on top of E wall. Windows consist of rectangular slits and single lights with ogee heads.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999).

Date of upload: 05 August 2010