Castle (in ruins) — Baile Chláir

On the site of the medieval borough of Claregalway (GA070-107----): on N bank of the River Clare, 175m ESE of the friary (GA070-035001-) and immediately NE of the modern bridge. A well-preserved rectangular five-storey tower (L c. 12m, Wth c. 9.75m) built in the 15th C by the Clanrickard Burkes (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 162). The original pointed arch doorway is near N end of SE wall. The presence of opposing vertical grooves in both of its jambs indicate that it was protected by a portcullis. This doorway opens into a small lobby with the guardroom to S and the spiral stairs to N. A stone vault exists between 2nd/rd floors. Mural passages occur in NE wall on 1st floor, and in SE wall on 3rd floor. There are mural chambers in SW wall on 1st floor and in SE, SW and NW walls on 3rd floor. Garderobes survive in SE wall on 2nd and 3rd floors. Fireplaces are visible in SW wall on 1st floor and in NE wall on 2nd floor. Traces of the wall-walk survive as well as remains of the parapet along SE and SW walls. Projecting corbels centrally placed on top of the walls (except SE wall where they are over the doorway) formerly supported machiolations at parapet level. A variety of window types occur, including narrow rectangular windows with flat heads, single and two lights with ogee heads (one of the latter is transomed and mullioned), one circular and one cross loop. Slop-stones are visible beneath some. Modern farm buildings abut the tower at N and SE. (Cochrane 1901, 335-6; Nolan 1901a 20-24) 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