Aughnanure Castle

About

Aughnanure Castle is a beautifully preserved late‑medieval tower house set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Drimneen River and the western shores of Lough Corrib. Built in the late‑fifteenth century, it was the stronghold of the powerful O’Flaherty lords of Iarchonnacht for over two centuries, and played a key role during the Cromwellian blockade and the 1641 rebellion. The castle’s two‑phase construction—an earlier fifteenth‑century tower and inner bawn, and a later sixteenth‑century outer bawn, banqueting hall and ancillary buildings—offers visitors a vivid glimpse of medieval Gaelic life on the water. After restoration in the 1960s, the castle reopened to the public in 1974 and is now open to visitors from 28 February to 12 November, with daily hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:15 p.m. from 30 October to 12 November). Admission fees are €5.00 for adults, €4.00 for seniors or groups, €3.00 for children and students, and €13.00 for a family ticket. The site also offers guided tours, interpretive exhibits and a river walk, making it an ideal destination for history enthusiasts and families alike.

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