Merlin Castle Travel Guide

Merlin Castle, also called Doughiska Castle, is a medieval tower house ruin located within Merlin Woods, on the eastern side of Galway City. The castle's origins trace back to an early fortification built for Turlough O'Connor, High King of Ireland, in the 12th century.The current three-story Anglo-Norman tower structure is believed to date back to the 15th or 16th century. Over the centuries, it was owned by prominent Galway families, including the Lynches and Blakes. The Lynch family gained ownership in the 16th century when Nicholas FitzJohn Blake's daughter married John Lynch. In 1574, Stephen Lynch was recorded as the owner. The castle later passed to the Blake family, and it was Francis Blake who renamed it Merlin Castle in 1731.During the Cromwellian period (1653-1655) the Lynch family were evicted and the castle lost its roof. The castle was inhabited until 1812 when Charles Blake built Merlin Park House on the estate. The estate was sold in 1853 and later purchased by the Waithman family, who abandoned it in the early 20th century. Galway City Council restored the castle in 2021 with funding from Fáilte Ireland.Architectural features include decorated ogee windows and machicolations, defensive features used to drop objects on attackers. A secret chamber, or priest's hole, is also present, once used as a hiding place for persecuted priests. The castle also contains what is believed to be the smallest Sheela na Gig in Ireland.Visitors can explore the castle ruins within the scenic Merlin Woods, enjoying the surrounding natural environment.