Derrymaclaughna Castle (in ruins)

On a low hill in undulating farmland. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'John Burke fitz Tho.' (Nolan 1901b, 119). A rectangular five-storey tower (L c. 11.2m, Wth c. 8.2m) in fair condition. A round arch doorway, now almost totally blocked, in S end of W wall opens into a lobby with the guardroom to S and the spiral stairs to N. Above the ground floor, the floors comprise a main chamber with a subsidiary one to W. Remains of a stone vault survive between 2nd/3rd floors. An intramural passage is evident in S wall on 3rd floor; fireplaces survive in E wall on 1st and 3rd floors and in S wall on 4th floor. A string course is visible at parapet level. Apart from simple slits, windows are rectangular with flat heads, single and two lights with ogee heads and three-light mullioned windows with hood mouldings. A two-storey 'mansion' (ibid. 1901a, 36) with a gabled roof was built against W wall of the tower; no trace of it survives, however, features associated with it are visible on the wall-face. A church (GA070-065002-) lies c. 130m to WSW. (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 288) In February 2014 K. Bergin noted a carved face on a corbel in the W wall of the tower (pers. comm. S. Aylward). 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). It has been updated in light of recent information. Revised by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 11 April 2014

Derrymaclaughna Castle was held by John Burke fitz Tho. in 1574 and is believed to have been built by the Burke family, a prominent Gaelic dynasty in the region. The castle is remembered as an example of late medieval tower house architecture in Ireland.