Oranmore Castle

Oranmore Castle is a castle in Oranmore, County Galway, in Ireland.

Oranmore Castle

History

Oranmore Castle was most likely built some time around the 15th century, possibly on top of an older castle.[1] 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.[1] Clanricarde supplied the Fort of Galway from the sea until 1643, when, without the Marquess's sanction, Captain Willoughby Governor of Galway surrendered.[1][2]

While ownership was temporarily lost, the 6th Earl regained possession, and in 1666 leased the castle to Walter Athy, whose descendants kept control of Oranmore until 1853.[1] It was then abandoned and left to the elements.[3]

The castle was reroofed after Anita Leslie purchased it in 1947 for £200, as it had fallen into disrepair.[4][5] Her daughter Leonie inherited the castle upon Anita's death. Leonie and her husband, the celebrated Irish folk musician Alec Finn (1944-2018) have lived there since.[6]

Layout

The castle, a rectangular towerhouse, has four stories, a square staircase turret, and gunloops on the bottom floor. [7]

Media

Oranmore Castle was featured in the 23 March 2001 episode of Scariest Places on Earth.[3] It was also used for the shooting of Alfred the Great,[8] as well as a film location for the Jack Taylor film The Pikeman.

References
  1. "History". Oranmore Castle. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. Furey, Brian (1991). Oranmore Maree: a history of a cultural and social heritage. p. 43.
  3. "Oranmore Castle". discoverireland.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. "Wartime submarine commander and adventurer turns 100". Galway News. 25 June 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  5. Bence-Jones, Mark (1978). Burke's Guide to Country Houses. Burke's Peerage. p. 229.
  6. "Obituary: Alec Finn". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  7. "Oranmore Castle". phouka.com. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  8. "Film Location". Oranmore Castle. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

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