Caherkinmonwee Castle

Caherkinmonwee Castle
Native name
Caisleán Chathair Chinn Mhaonmhaí[1] (Irish)
Caher Castle
Caherkinmonwee Castle is located in County Galway
Caherkinmonwee Castle
Location of Caherkinmonwee Castle in County Galway
Caherkinmonwee Castle is located in Ireland
Caherkinmonwee Castle
Caherkinmonwee Castle (Ireland)
Typetower house
LocationCaherkinmonwee, Craughwell,
County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53°14′13″N 8°41′41″W / 53.23681428355786°N 8.694800800831029°W / 53.23681428355786; -8.694800800831029
Built15th century
OwnerPeter Hayes

Caherkinmonwee Castle, also known as Caher Castle, is a tower house located in County Galway, Ireland.

Location

Caherkinmonwee Castle is 7.5 km (4.7 mi) southeast of Athenry, on the north bank of the Dunkellin River.

History

The tower house was built some time in the 15th century. In 1574 it was held by Myler Henry Burke.[3]

According to the School's Collection, a stone weighing 150 kg (330 lb) was blown off the top of the castle on the Night of the Big Wind (1839); it landed on an iron gate 100 yd (91 m) away and crushed it.[4]

It was in ruins for two centuries until 1996, when stonemason and artisan Peter Hayes purchased and renovated it; he still lives there with his partner and children.[5][6] It is now available as an Airbnb rental, with the castle's master bedroom described as the most popular room on the website.[7][8][9]

Description

The tower house is well-preserved and stands five storeys tall, with bartizans on each corner and a spiral staircase in the southeast. It has machicolation and Irish crenellations.[10] The new roof was built with local oak, slate and no nails.[11]

References