Shrule Castle

Located on the Galway Mayo border is the ruin of Shrule castle built around 1238 by the Norman deBurgo family of Galway.
All that remains today is four walls (with a couple of very nasty cracks running from top to bottom).
The history of the castle would appear to have been fairly quiet until 1570 when it was captured by
Sir Edward Fitton with a strong British force.
From then on the castle exchanged hands several times.
It was occupied until sometime in the 17th Century.
History refers to a massacre that took place in 1641, but their is some dispute as to the amount killed.
The castle is on your right as you come into Shurle from Galway, and is very easy to spot as you travel along the N84
This ruin is in a dangerous state so caution should be used at all times during your visit.

 



 

Annaghmore Portal Tomb

Annaghmore Portal Tomb is a small but very compact tomb, which can be found in its own neat little enclosure beside the road.
   
The tomb has two portal stones (one much taller than the other), two side stones and a back stone.

The Capstone is 2.2 meters in length and 2.1 meters in width (the roof of which has some very strange stone work), this all comes together to give the tomb a most unique look.   

My one concern for this site (my visit was early summer) is that it is being attacked by ivy in a few different spots, it would be such a shame if this tomb where to become overgrown as it has plenty of character.

The site is not signposted, but if your coming from the Longford direction take the R198 for Drumlish, clicking on the location/map tab will bring you to the tomb via Google street view.   

Minard Castle

Minard Castle was built by the Knight's of Kerry and may have been the last Fitzgerald castle built on the Dingle Peninsula.  
Walter Hussey a Norman had a garrison in the castle in 1641.
During this time the castle was attacked and destroyed and all inside killed by a Cromwellian army led by Colonels Lehunt and Sadler.

The beach beneath the castle is a natural storm beach and has large sandstone boulders.
Some of these stones are claimed to have been used for ogham stones in the locality.

Minard is very easy to find - it is signposted just off the N86.
This very striking ruin was a revisit for me.
If you are in the area I would place Minard on the top of your list of the many must see places close by.     

Ardgroom Outward Stone Circle

Ardgroom Stone Circle consists of 11 stones (9 of which are still upright) and one Alignment stone (bottom image).
The diameter of the circle is 2 meters.
The stones height varies between 1.3 and 2.1 meters and the width of the stones are between 0.4 and 0.9 meters. 
The circle and its setting is nothing short of stunning - for backdrops it has everything - mountains, rugged landscape and the sea.
Finding this circle is pretty easy.
The site is signposted just before Ardgroom village (travelling from Kenmare).
Getting to the circle can be tricky as the ground leading to the circle might well be bottomless depending on the time of the year.

Lohort Castle

Lohort Castle dates back to 1184 when it was built by Prince John, who soon after became King of England in 1199.
The castle is over 24 meters in height, with the walls at the base said to be over 3 meters in thickness.
A moat circles the ruin, but it is filled in on the entrance side (where the drawbridge would have been).
Donagh Og MaCarthy McDonagh rebuilt the castle in 1496 after the ravages of many battles.

Lohort was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the English Civil War in 1647.  Cromwell's troops attacked the castle but were unable to take it and after a few short hours of battle over 4500 men lay dead.

I'm sure there has to be an easier route to this castle other than the route I took which included climbing through tree's, hedges, nettles and walking around a couple of field's so click on the location/map link and good luck. 

Magheraghanrush Court Tomb

Magheraghanrush or Deerpark Court tomb as it is sometimes known is one of Ireland's largest court tombs.
The tombs impressive central court is 15 meters in length  with a single gallery to the west and two twin  chambered galleries to the east end.
The overall length of the tomb is close to 30 meters, with Sliabh na gCaológ Bui making a great backdrop. 
Despite parts of the tomb missing from where it should be, with a little work this site would be nothing short of stunning (this would include replacing two lintels and fixing the broken one) 
Deerpark is just off the R278 parking leaves you with about a10 minute walk, the pathway is surfaced but quite steep in parts.

Taghadoe Round Tower

Taghadoe Round tower (which may have never been completed) is close to 20 meters in height.
The tower is built from rough coursed limestone, it has three windows with the doorway 3.5 meters from ground level. 
The monastery of which the tower is the sole remnant was founded by an obscure saint named Tua who was attached to the nearby monastery of Clane.
Little is known of the history of the monastery except that one of its abbots - named Folachtach, died in 765.
The church beside the Round Tower was built in 1831.
The tower is visible from the R406 as you travel towards Maynooth from the Barberstown direction.
The turn for Taghadoe ( L5037 ) is well marked, you will find the site on a very bad bend so take care parking.