Aughnanure Castle
Aughanure Castle ( Irish Caisleán Achadh na nIúr ) is about three miles from Oughterard next to the shore of Lough Corrib (lake) in County Galway in Ireland. A native of the Irish name is called yew box.
The plant
The castle is one of the best preserved examples of a so-called " Irish tower house ." It stands on a flat ledge. Under the rocks are remarkable caves. The floor plan of the tower house is almost square with a spur on the northwest corner, where the river Drimneen forms a barrier to access. Two segments of the outer wall still exist, the older is enclosed by a younger, much larger.
The Tower House
In tornahen farm stands near the river, the six -storey rectangular tower house. His two flanking towers extend to medium height. The walls taper towards the top and the parapet, are attached to the casting bay is provided with battlements. The entrance of the tower inside can be defended by a so-called " killer hole" in the ceiling. Behind the door on the right, a guard room and left a stone spiral staircase to the upper rooms. The ground floor was used as storage space. The upper floors are divided into living and sleeping rooms. The floor with the large fireplace and the split windows served as a living room.
The grounds
Along the west side of the wall are the remains of a banquet hall. The hall was destroyed in the collapse of the natural arch over the river. Just a wall having a row of windows remained. The frames are decorated with foliage motifs and other ornaments, reminiscent of ornate Irish manuscripts and express the importance of the structure. In the inner courtyard there is still a small round tower with a carefully crafted Kragsteindecke and a conical stone roof ( in the foreground ). At the east end of the outer wall, there is another edge tower.
History
The predecessor of the castle was probably built by the Normans Walter de Burgo, the first Earl of Ulster, who took the area around Lough Corrib in 1256 in possession. The expulsion of the local clans, the O'Flahertys was but of short duration. End of the 13th century they were for three centuries the masters of West Connacht. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the castle and its predecessor was in their possession.
The legendary pirate Granuaile, Grace O'Malley, married at the age of 16 years, " Donal at Chogaidh " O'Flaherty, creating a connection between the two most powerful seafaring clan in the west of Ireland was born. Middle of the 16th century were the English on Morogh na - dtuath ( Morrough the battle axes ) one O'Flaherty attentive, who robbed the English possessions in the vicinity of Lough Corrib. 1564, he defeated Trabane (white beach ), the English troops sent against him. In 1569 his general pardon was granted, and Elizabeth I ( 1533-1603 ) made him, even though he came from a collateral line of the O'Flahertys, the masters of West Connacht. In return, he undertook to keep the " peace of the Queen ". The legitimate title contender the O'Flahertys were angered by his betrayal. With the sons of the Earl of Clanrickard they planned a rebellion against the " Cailleach Granda ", as they called the queen. Morogh learned of the plans and gave it to Sir Edward Fitton continue to stir himself with all available men and guns and Aughnanure besieged, which was held by the rightful chief of O'Flahertys. After he had taken the castle, he handed it to Morogh, which made them stronger and to his headquarters.
After the legacy of Aughnanure was given by the Crown to the Earl of Clanickard, leased the land to the 1687 Brian O'Flaherty. 1719 sold the Count fundamental rights to Brian. This had borrowed the money from Lord St. George, and as the mortgage fell into disrepair, the owner of a large part of the country. In 1952, Peter O'Flaherty gave the castle to the Commission of Public Works in order to preserve it as national monument. In 1963 the first with the repair. Among other parapet and chimneys were secured, created a parking lot and today's entrance to the castle.
Anecdote
The people of Galway were so afraid of the O'Flahertys that they should have carved above the west gate to the city of the saying: " God protect us from the wild O'Flahertys ".