Rinvyle Castle (in ruins)

On a natural rise overlooking sea to N. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Miles Mc Tibbot' (Nolan 1901, 116). The ruins comprise a four-storey rectangular tower (L 9.9m, Wth 9.5m), in dangerous condition, which originally stood in NW corner of a bawn, now largely removed. Much of N and E walls have fallen but sufficient survives to indicate the position of the doorway, centrally placed in E wall. This gave access to a lobby, and spiral stairs in SE corner. The ground, 1st and 2nd floors each appear to have consisted of a main chamber with a subsidiary one to E. A stone vault existed between 2nd/3rd floors. A latrine chute is visible in outer face of W wall. Apart from a small fragment of the gabled roof and corbels of bartizans at SE and NW corners, nothing survives of the parapet, roof or garret. Apart from large windows (now robbed) on 3rd floor, the remainder are all crude single lights with flat heads. (Killanin 1954, 99; O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 26; Hardiman 1846, 119-20) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010 The following images have been uploaded: GA009-015-----04.jpg W wall from NW GA009-015-----06.jpg W wall GA009-015-----11.jpg View from SW GA009-015-----12.jpg Detail of SW angle GA009-015-----13.jpg View from NE GA009-015-----14.jpg Detail of stone vault GA009-015-----15.jpg View of spiral stairs in SE angle GA009-015-----16.jpg SE angle GA009-015-----17.jpg SE angle GA009-015-----18.jpg View from S

Rinvyle Castle was held by Miles Mc Tibbot in 1574 and is remembered as a historic structure associated with the local Gaelic aristocracy of the period. Its strategic location on a natural rise overlooking the sea highlights its defensive and regional significance.