- Oranmore Castle
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County Galway
Oranmore Castle is a castle in Oranmore, County Galway, in Ireland.
Contents
History
Oranmore Castle was most likely built by the Earl of Clanricarde in the 16th century[1], possibly on top of an older castle. 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. Clanricarde supplied the Fort of Galway from the sea until 1643, when, without the Marquess’s sanction, Captain Willoughby Governor of Galway surrendered. 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.
Renovations
The castle was reroofed after Lady Leslie purchased it in 1947 for £200, as it had fallen into disrepair.[2] Lady Leslie’s daughter added a two-story wing. Unfortunately, less than twenty years later in 1964 the castle was set alight to provide heat for the winter, and the new roof - which some viewed as 'outrageous' - was reduced to ashes.
Layout
The castle, a rectangular towerhouse[3], has four stories, a square staircase turret, and gunloops on the bottom floor. [4]
Visiting
The castle is open for tourists to visit in May. It is also open between the days of 1–27 July; 4–31 August, and 25–30 September. The hours of operation are between 2pm and 6pm. It is closed Sundays.
Other
Oranmore Castle was featured in the 23 March 2001 episode of The Scariest Places on Earth.[5]
External links
References
- ^ tourismresources.ie. http://www.tourismresources.ie/cht/oranmore/index.htm Retrieved 29 October 2009
- ^ Galway News, June 2010
- ^ ukonline.co.uk. http://web.ukonline.co.uk/nigel.bacon/castles/data/ireland/o/oranmore.htm Retrieved 3 November 2009
- ^ phouka.com. http://www.phouka.com/tr/ireland/photos/castles/oranmore/01-ora.htm Retrieved 29 October 2009
- ^ TV.com. http://www.tv.com/the-scariest-places-on-earth/show/2862/episode.html?printable=1 Retrieved 29 October 2009
Coordinates: 53°25′04″N 9°16′16″W / 53.41778°N 9.27111°W
Categories:- Castles in County Galway
- Ruins in the Republic of Ireland
- Irish building and structure stubs
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