Tromra Castle

On level marshy ground overlooking Mutton Island to the NW. A rectangular tower (int. dims. 6.8m NW-SE; 6.6m NE-SW) of three floors constructed of coursed local flagstone with a base-batter (max. H c. 22m). The damaged entrance (bolt-hole evident at SW) towards the S end of the SE side leads directly to the ground floor chamber under a damaged NW-SE vault which has embrasures (Wth 1.35m; H 1.65) in the NW and NE walls, now broken through as entrances, and there is a cupboard at the N end of the SE wall. A damaged doorway at the E angle led by a spiral stairs to the first floor under a damaged NW-SE vault with wicker centering. This floor has large windows (Wth 0.4m) in embrasures in the NE (Wth 1.8m; H 2m) and NW (Wth 1.6m; H 1.75) walls. There is a garderobe with two lights in the NW wall, and the destroyed fireplace is in the SW wall. The third floor is inaccessible, but has a garderobe in the NW wall and large ogee-headed windows with hollow spandrels in each wall, that on the NW being complete. There are additional lights in the SE and SW walls, and the stairs housing rises over the NE angle. Three corbels remaining on the outer SE corner may have supported a bartizan. (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997) The following has been attached: CL038-006----_)1.pdf Details from Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, The Castles and Tower-houses of Co. Clare (unpublished report). Uploaded courtesy of R. Ua Cróinín and M. Breen. Date of upload: 12 December 2014

Tromra Castle was built in the 16th or 17th century, likely by a local Gaelic noble family, as a defensive structure in a strategically elevated position overlooking Mutton Island. It is remembered for its well-preserved three-story tower and as an example of early modern Atlantic coastal defense architecture.