Castles In Connacht
The Western province of Ireland is Connacht and is made up of counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. The name Connacht derives from a great High King of Ireland, Conn of the Hundred Battles who killed the King of Munster, Éogan Mór, after a surprised night attack. Conn was later killed by Tibride Tirech at Tara.
The King of Munster, Ruairi, was also the High King of Ireland when strongbow launched an invasion into Ireland with Norman troops but as their settlements grew the power of Irish Kings started to decline.
Galway fort in Connacht was captured by Richard Mor de Burgh and as time went by the de Burgh’s became more gaelicised. The merchants of Galway took control and had been grated mayoral status by the English crown. They passed laws against the Irish people such as restricted access into Galway and the using the O’ or Mac when speaking.
List of Castles in Connacht
The Abbeyglen Castle
Located in Connermara, County Galway. With fantaisc views of Clifden and surrounded by waterfalls and gardens it is the perfect romantic location.
Built in the 13th century by the Anglo-Norman De Bugos family following their defeat of the O’ Connor’s of Connaught. In 1852 Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchased Ashford and was used as a country get-away for the Guinness family.
The Ballymore Castle
Located in Lawrencetown, County Galway, Ireland and was primitively a Madden tower house during 15th century, a house was added to the property in 1620 and has been greatly reformed since.
As a circular, 14th century tower house with a small walled enclosure, in the outskirts of the small town Doolin in county Clare, Ireland. Also known as the ‘fort of the rounded hills’ and ‘the fort of the goats’, Doonagore sits on a high hill overlooking Doolin.