castles historical around north west coast ennistymon

The eastern portion of the castle is a 5-story tower built about 1480, with stone vault on the top floor, and a number of holes for guns. A four-storey mansion was added to the west of the tower in the 1640s, and it has some mullioned windows (some of which are modern). Beside the castle was a large bawn, remnants of which can be seen on both sides of the road. The original gate, with an inscription saying that it was erected by Conor O'Brien and his wife Maire Ni Mahon in 1643, was removed a...

On the far side of Liscannor Bay, 5 km north-west of Lahinch. It is a small fishing village. Kilmacreehy, or St. Macreehy's Church, 1.5 km east of Liscannor, is a medieval parish church, with nave and chancel. It was built in the early 12th century, on the site of a famous school founded by St. Macreehy in the 6th century.

The castle ruin in the village, built by the O'Connors, became an O'Brien stronghold and was occupied by Sir Turlough O'Brien during the threatened invasion at the...

A distinctive 16th century fortified tower house built originally for a branch of the O'Brien's before coming into the possession of the powerful local family of the O'Loghlens. The first three floors exhibit many defensive features such as narrow slit windows, gun loops and murder holes. The main floor presents a visual record of the castle restoration. The second floor is now called the Scriptorium. There are guided tours of the photographic exhibitions of the restoration.

Walking...