Location: Oranmore Map
Constructed: 16th century by Earl of Clanricarde
Oranmore Castle is a medieval tower house in a town of Oranmore in Galway County in Ireland. Oranmore Castle was constructed in 16th century by Earl of Clanricarde.
Oranmore was erected by the Earl of Clanricarde in
the 16th century, possibly on the basis of an earlier building.
Clanricarde, a notable family from Galway, used it as a citadel. In
March 1642, the village of Oranmore joined the Irish Confederation
during the rebellion, which the owners of the castle, the Marquis
and the fifth Earl of Clanricarde, stubbornly resisted. The
clanricards maintained the castle from the sea until 1643, when,
without the consent of the Marquis, captain Willoughby, ruler of
Galway, surrendered.
After a break in ownership, the sixth Earl of Clanricarde regained
the castle, and in 1666 leased the castle to Walter EfE, whose
descendants owned the castle until 1853.
Lock update
In 1947, lady Leslie blocked the roof of the castle, as it fell into
complete disrepair. Her daughter added a two-story wing to the
castle. Unfortunately, less than 20 years later, in 1964, a fire
broke out in the castle and the new roof burned down.
Appearance
The castle is a rectangular residential tower, four stories high and
embrasures on the lower one.
Excursions
The castle is open to tourists in may, and July 1-27; August 4-31,
and September 25-30 from 14 to 18 hours. The day off is Sunday.
In art
On March 23, 2001, Oranmore castle appeared in an episode of the TV
series the Scariest Places on Earth.