Menlo Castle

Menlo Castle dated 15thCentury is a vast ruin that is located on the bank's of the River Corrib.
The Castle was built in 1569 and was the main home of the Blake family.
The Blake family were one of the famous Tribes of Galway. 

The Blake's remained at Menlo until 1910 when the castle accidentally and tragically burned down.
Killed in the fire was Eleanor Blake the only daughter of  Lord Valentine Blake.

As a result of the fire the castle was totally gutted and what you see today is all that was left.
The wall's of the ruin are mostly covered in ivy, with some of the opinion that it is this very ivy that holds Menlo together.

Access - The turn for the castle is just before Terryland as you travel on the N84 heading towards Galway.
From the main road you are left a short drive to the old entrance (bottom image).
Parking for a couple of cars can be had close to the cattle gate and leaves you with a short walk down to the castle.

To view the castle from the far side of the River Corrib turn off the N59 for the National University of Galway.         

Dunmoe Castle

    

This great looking castle ruin sits overlooking the Boyne river.
The castle was built in the 15th Century and was home to the D'arcy family.
The original castle would have had four round turrets (only two survive).
The castle was four storeys high, with the bottom two floors vaulted.
During the Cromwellian invasion the castle was fired upon in 1649, but avoided major damage.
Fire was this castles undoing during the 1798 rebellion.
Access can be gained down a lane just off the N51.
(If visiting in winter sensible footwear will be needed as the field the leads you to the ruin can resemble a quagmire.)