Castle (in ruins)

In low-lying grassland, c. 400m W of the River Clare. In existence in 1461 when it was in the possession of 'Captain Burke' (Nolan 1901a, 37-9). A rectangular three-/four-storey tower (L 12.5m, Wth 11.3m), in fair condition, built on a platform of large boulders. A series of steps lead to the pointed arch doorway in S wall. This is framed by an outer arch between which and the doorway proper in a narrow slit resembling a murder-hold. The guardroom is to W and the spiral stairs to E. A stone vault exists between 1st/2nd floors. Fireplaces are visible in N and S gables and in W wall on 1st floor, and a chimney stack survives on S gable. The garderobe exit chute is visible at the base of E wall. Surviving windows consist of simple slits and a single-light ogee-headed window in W wall. The tower is surrounded by a rectangular inner bawn (L 38m, Wth 31m), extending from S and W walls. A two-storey building survives at S end of W wall of it. An outer bawn (L 100m, Wth 95m) defined by a bank of earth and stone is visible to N, E and S. (CUCAP ATF 13) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Built by the Burke family, Castle Anbally was held by 'Captain Burke' in 1461 and is remembered as a medieval tower house associated with the influential Burke dynasty in the region.