Caherkinmonwee Castle

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

Caherkinmonwee Castle
Native name Caisleán Chathair Chinn Mhaonmhaí[1] (Irish)
Caher Castle
Location of Caherkinmonwee Castle in County Galway Show map of County Galway Caherkinmonwee Castle (Ireland) Show map of Ireland
Type	tower house
Location	Caherkinmonwee, Craughwell, County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates	53°14′13″N 8°41′41″W
Built	15th century
Owner	Peter Hayes

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[4][5] It is now available as an Airbnb rental, with the castle's master bedroom described as the most popular room on the website.^[6][7][8]

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.^[9] The new roof was built with local oak, slate and no nails.^[10]