Thought to be one of the most photographed castles in Ireland, Dunguaire Castle, located in the country’s fastest growing city of Galway, is a spectacular 16th century sight to see in person.
Built in 1520 by the Hynes clan, the castle would later be transferred over in the 17th century to Oliver Martin, where it remained within his family until the 20th century when poet and surgeon Oliver St. John Gogarty purchased it.
Gogarty restored the castle and used it as a meeting place during the Celtic Revival. Names like W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw would frequent Dunguaire Castle.
Shortly before Gogarty passed away, he sold the castle to Christobel Lady Ampthill who finished restoring the property to its former glory.
Dunguaire Castle - Galway, Ireland
Today the castle is owned and operated by the Irish corporation Shannon Development, which opens it to the public during the summer and hosts a nightly Medieval Banquet that plays traditional Irish music and reads Irish literature.
Legends has it that the Lord of the castle was very generous during his lifetime and continued being so after he passed on. So it is advised that visitors go to the front gate of Dunguaire Castle and ask a question with an answered guaranteed by the end of the day.
Check out My Three Favorite Irish Pubs in Dublin.
