Location: Tubber Map
Constructed: mid-16th century
Fiddaun Castle, located near Tubber in County Galway, Ireland, close to the border with County Clare, is a remarkably well-preserved 16th-century tower house and a National Monument of Ireland. Built around 1574 by Sir Roger Gilla Dubh O’Shaughnessy, a powerful chieftain of the O’Shaughnessy clan, it was one of four castles owned by the family in the Kiltartan barony of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne. Noted for its intact inner bawn wall and its historical significance as a Gaelic stronghold, Fiddaun was once considered the largest castle in Ireland due to its extensive outer walls, which enclosed nearly 12 acres. The castle’s history reflects the turbulent era of Gaelic resistance, English conquest, and Jacobite struggles. Today, maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) but situated on private land, Fiddaun is a hidden gem offering a rare glimpse into medieval Irish life.
Fiddaun Castle, meaning “wood of the fort” in Irish (Fiodh Duin), was
constructed in the mid-16th century, likely around 1574, by Sir Roger
Gilla Dubh O’Shaughnessy, the chieftain of the O’Shaughnessy clan, who
ruled the Kiltartan barony in south Galway. The O’Shaughnessys were a
prominent Gaelic family, descended from the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, and
their castles, including Fiddaun, Ardnamullivan, Gort, and Derryowen,
formed a defensive network guarding their western territories. Fiddaun
was the largest of these, its outer bawn originally enclosing nearly 12
acres, making it a significant stronghold in Ireland at the time.
The castle’s history is marked by conflict and transition:
16th
Century: Fiddaun was a central residence for the O’Shaughnessys,
symbolizing their authority. In 1597, it was attacked by Donogh O’Brien,
4th Earl of Thomond, a rival lord aligned with English interests,
reflecting the growing tensions between Gaelic clans and Anglo-Norman or
English forces.
17th Century: The castle endured further assaults,
notably by Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde, in 1642 during the
Irish Confederate Wars, a period of intense conflict between Gaelic
Catholics, Old English, and Protestant settlers. The O’Shaughnessys
remained in control until the late 17th century.
Jacobite Forfeiture:
In 1697, the castle and most O’Shaughnessy estates were forfeited after
Sir William O’Shaughnessy, then only 15, fled to France to fight for the
Jacobite cause following the Williamite War (1689–1691). William, who
had served as a captain in the Jacobite army, later became a Marshal of
France (Mareschal de Camp) in 1734, pursuing a distinguished military
career in exile. The castle was confiscated by the English Crown,
marking the end of O’Shaughnessy ownership.
Abandonment: Fiddaun was
inhabited by the O’Shaughnessys until 1727, after which it was abandoned
and fell into ruin. The outer bawn walls, which once made it Ireland’s
largest castle by land area, deteriorated, leaving the tower house and
inner bawn as the primary surviving structures.
Modern Era: By the
20th century, Fiddaun was recognized as a historical monument. A 2017
crowdfunding campaign, supported by local efforts, helped fund
preservation work to prevent further decay, ensuring its survival. The
castle is now maintained by the OPW, though access is restricted due to
its location on private land.
Fiddaun Castle is a classic Irish tower house, a type of
fortified residence common among Gaelic and Anglo-Norman elites in
the 15th and 16th centuries. Built from local limestone, it is
distinguished by its six-story height, well-preserved inner bawn,
and adaptations to early firearms. The castle’s design balances
defensive functionality with the domestic needs of a chieftain’s
household, and its intact state allows visitors to explore its
architectural details. Key features include:
Tower House:
The castle is an oblong, six-story tower, approximately 15–18 meters
(50–60 feet) tall, with a slight base-batter (sloping lower walls)
for stability. It originally had an attic or seventh level, now
lost, and features a gabled roof, partially restored.
The ground
floor consists of a vaulted basement, used for storage, with narrow
slit windows for defense. A pointed arched doorway in the north wall
leads to a small lobby with a murder hole overhead, designed to trap
intruders. From the lobby, doorways access the spiral staircase to
the east and the main chamber to the south. A guardroom to the west
is now accessed via a damaged doorway.
Upper floors include a
great hall (likely on the first or second floor) for feasting and
administration, and several chambers for the O’Shaughnessy family.
The fifth floor has a second vault, supporting the structure, but
the wall separating its main and subsidiary chambers has been
destroyed, creating an open concrete-floored area.
The spiral
staircase, described as narrow and slippery, runs through the
tower’s east side, providing access to all floors and the rooftop.
Its precarious design served as a defensive feature, hindering
attackers.
Square bartizans (box machicolations) project from the
north and south corners at the third-floor level, a distinctive
Irish feature reflecting the shift to horizontal defense with
firearms. These low-placed bartizans allowed defenders to fire
muskets or crossbows at attackers below.
Inner Bawn:
The
tower is centrally located within a rectangular inner bawn, one of
the best-preserved in Ireland. The bawn wall, up to 2 meters thick,
features four corner towers and a three-story gatehouse in the
northwest curtain. A sharp triangular projection in the southwest
curtain resembles a star fortification, possibly a later addition
for artillery defense.
The bawn is equipped with gun loops, arrow
slits, and machicolations (openings for dropping missiles),
showcasing a blend of medieval and early modern defensive features.
Climbable steps and walkable defenses allow exploration of the
wall’s upper levels.
The inner bawn protected livestock,
servants, and supplies during sieges, serving as a first line of
defense. Its preservation is a key reason for Fiddaun’s
architectural significance.
Outer Bawn:
The original outer
bawn, now mostly ruined, enclosed nearly 12 acres, making Fiddaun
the largest castle in Ireland by land area in its prime. Little
remains of these walls, but their scale underscores the castle’s
historical prominence.
The castle’s location on a rocky outcrop
near a water-filled channel provided natural protection, enhancing
the outer bawn’s defensive role.
Interior Features:
The
interior is largely empty, lacking furnishings, but retains original
features like the vaulted ceilings, pointed doorways, and window
recesses. The great hall and chambers have fireplaces and garderobes
(medieval toilets), some still intact, offering insight into daily
life.
The rooftop, accessible via the spiral staircase, offers
panoramic views of Lough Doo, Lough Aslaun, and the surrounding
countryside, though caution is advised due to the staircase’s
condition.
Restoration:
The castle is partially restored,
with the OPW stabilizing the tower’s walls, roof, and bawn. Concrete
flooring on the fifth floor and minor repairs to the staircase
ensure visitor safety, though the castle retains its rugged,
medieval character.
Fiddaun Castle’s location between Lough Doo and Lough Aslaun, on a
rocky outcrop near a water-filled channel, was strategically chosen for
defense and control. The castle guarded the western edges of
O’Shaughnessy lands in the Kiltartan barony, part of a network of four
castles that protected against rival clans, such as the O’Briens of
Thomond, and encroaching English forces. Its elevated position offered
visibility over the surrounding flatlands, ideal for spotting threats,
while the nearby lakes and channel acted as natural barriers.
The
castle’s extensive outer bawn, enclosing 12 acres, allowed it to house a
large garrison, livestock, and supplies, making it a formidable
stronghold during sieges. The inner bawn’s gun loops and bartizans
reflect adaptations to 16th-century warfare, enabling defenders to repel
attackers with firearms. Fiddaun’s role as a regional power center made
it a target during conflicts, such as the 1597 and 1642 attacks,
underscoring its strategic value.
Fiddaun Castle is significant for its architectural and historical
contributions to Ireland’s medieval heritage:
Gaelic Power: As a
major O’Shaughnessy stronghold, Fiddaun symbolizes the resilience of
Gaelic chieftains during a period of English expansion. The
O’Shaughnessys’ control over Kiltartan and their network of castles
highlight their regional dominance until the late 17th century.
Architectural Innovation: The castle’s well-preserved inner bawn and
low-placed bartizans are rare examples of Irish tower house adaptations
to firearms, reflecting the transition from vertical to horizontal
defense in the 16th century. Its design influenced other regional
fortifications.
Jacobite Legacy: The forfeiture of Fiddaun in 1697
and Sir William O’Shaughnessy’s exile connect the castle to the broader
Jacobite movement, a defining chapter in Irish history. William’s
military career in France, rising to Marshal, adds an international
dimension to the castle’s story.
Preservation Efforts: The 2017
crowdfunding campaign to save Fiddaun from destruction demonstrates
community commitment to Ireland’s heritage, ensuring the castle’s
survival as a National Monument.
The castle’s abandonment in 1727 and
subsequent ruin reflect the decline of Gaelic lordships under English
rule, making Fiddaun a poignant reminder of Ireland’s colonial past.
Fiddaun Castle is maintained by the Office of Public Works as a
National Monument but is located on private land, requiring permission
from the landowner for access. Its current state balances preservation
with its remote, rugged charm:
Access: Visitors must contact the
landowner (often the Forde family, as noted in online forums) to obtain
a key and permission to visit. The castle is not visible from the road
and requires a hike through fields, approximately 1–2 km, depending on
the starting point. Sturdy shoes and water are recommended, as there are
no facilities on-site. The castle is open during certain times of the
year, typically summer, but access is not guaranteed due to its private
status.
Directions: From Loughrea, take the R350 toward Portumna for
about 10 km, following signs for Fiddaun (coordinates: 53.0105553,
-8.8793779). Alternatively, from Gort or Tubber, local roads lead to the
castle’s vicinity. Public transport to Loughrea (Bus Éireann from
Galway, 30–40 minutes) is an option, followed by a taxi (€5–€10) or a
10-km walk/cycle.
Condition: The castle is remarkably intact, with
the six-story tower, inner bawn, and gatehouse well-preserved. The outer
bawn is mostly gone, and the attic level is missing, but the tower’s
walls, vaults, and staircase remain structurally sound. The OPW’s
maintenance, supported by the 2017 campaign, prevents further
deterioration, though the site retains a raw, unrestored feel.
Visitor Experience: Visitors can explore all floors, the rooftop, and
the bawn’s defenses, including climbable steps and corner towers. The
spiral staircase is narrow and slippery, requiring caution, but offers
access to panoramic views of the Galway countryside, Lough Doo, and
Lough Aslaun. The castle’s isolation and lack of crowds provide an
intimate, immersive experience, ideal for historians, photographers, and
adventurers.
Cultural Significance: Fiddaun is a hidden gem,
celebrated for its historical and architectural value. It attracts
dedicated castle enthusiasts and those seeking off-the-beaten-path sites
in Galway. Its connection to the O’Shaughnessy clan and the Jacobite
cause resonates with local and diaspora communities, while its
preservation reflects Ireland’s commitment to its Gaelic heritage.
Limited archaeological excavations have been conducted at Fiddaun,
but its well-preserved state has facilitated architectural studies. The
OPW and researchers, such as Peter Harbison, have documented the
castle’s bawn, bartizans, and vaults, highlighting its significance in
Irish tower house design. The bogs and lakes surrounding Fiddaun may
preserve archaeological remains, such as tools or settlement traces,
though no major digs have been reported.
Historical records,
including Gaelic annals and English colonial documents, provide details
about the O’Shaughnessys and Fiddaun’s role in regional conflicts. Sir
William O’Shaughnessy’s Jacobite career is well-documented in French
military archives, adding depth to the castle’s later history. Online
sources, such as Reddit posts and travel blogs, offer anecdotal insights
into visitor experiences and access challenges, complementing formal
studies.
Fiddaun Castle features in local folklore as a stronghold of the
O’Shaughnessys, often associated with tales of Gaelic resistance and
chieftain hospitality. Its remote location and imposing ruins have
inspired artists, such as Josette Carroll, whose painting captures its
moody, historic ambiance. Travel blogs, like “Choosing the Green,”
describe Fiddaun as a magical, hard-to-reach destination, evoking a
sense of adventure and discovery.
The castle’s connection to the
Jacobite cause and Sir William O’Shaughnessy’s exile has been referenced
in historical narratives about Ireland’s diaspora, particularly in
France. Its status as a National Monument and its preservation through
community efforts, such as the 2017 crowdfunding campaign, highlight its
cultural importance in modern Ireland. Fiddaun is often included in
guides to Galway’s hidden heritage, alongside sites like Kylemore Abbey
and Thoor Ballylee, reinforcing its place in the region’s tourism
narrative.