granagh castle

Although tradition says that it was the Ormonds who built it in the 14th century, the oldest part of the castle dates back to the 13th century. The oldest parts are the three round turrets and their joining curtain wall overlooking the river. These formed part of the outer fortifications of the original castle which surrounded a square enclosure in the centre. The tall square tower was built possibly in the 14th century, but has 15th century additions. The oriel window high up in its south wall was added in the 17th century. To the west of the tower stood a fine two-storyed hall, one of the upper windows of which is beautifully decorated with sculpted figures including an angel with the Butler arms and also St. Michael the Archangel dispensing justice on the Day of Judgement with his weighing-scales. The circular building at the north-western corner of the enclosure may have been a windmill. George Roche, whose family had bought the castle in the 18th century, did some restoration work in 1824, and the castle was again partially restored around 1925.