Aughnanure Castle: O'Flaherty Stronghold

Aughnanure Castle, situated near Oughterard in County Galway, offers a captivating glimpse into the life and times of the O'Flaherty clan. Constructed in the late 15th century, this tower house served as a stronghold for the O'Flahertys, Gaelic lords of Iarchonnacht, for over two centuries. Its location on the Drimneen River, close to Lough Corrib, reflects the O'Flaherty tradition of building near water sources.The castle's name, Aughnanure, derives from the Irish 'Achadh na nIubhar,' meaning 'the field of the yews,' suggesting a once extensive yew forest in the area. The castle is composed of a 15th-century tower house, an inner walled enclosure (bawn), and a later 16th-century outer bawn, banqueting hall, and other buildings. The O'Flahertys strategically used the castle's location, resisting the Cromwellian blockade of Galway in the 17th century.Visitors can explore the castle's well-preserved features, including the gatehouse, bawn wall, and keep. The keep houses a small exhibition about the castle's history. The narrow spiral staircase, with its deliberately uneven 'trip steps', leads to the upper chambers and offers stunning views. The castle also features a banqueting hall, watchtower and a double bawn.Aughnanure Castle subsequently changed hands and eventually Peadar O'Flaherty gifted Aughnanure to the State in 1952. A restoration program followed in the 1960s and the site opened to the public in 1974.