Dunguaire Castle

Castle in Galway

Dunguaire Castle, located on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay just north of Kinvara in western Ireland, was originally built in 1520 by the descendants of Guaire, the Lords of Aidhne, also known as O’Heyne or O’Hynes. The name of the castle derives from “Dun” meaning fort, referencing King Guaire. It was one of at least nine fortifications erected in the area.

In 1588, Hugh O’Heyne occupied the castle. As the cost of resisting English rule escalated, Hugh relinquished his lands to Queen Elizabeth through a grant/regrant arrangement, a common practice of the era.

Ownership of Dunguaire Castle transitioned to the Martyn family of Galway in the 17th century, with Richard Martyn, Mayor of Galway, residing there until 1642.

The castle experienced a revival in 1924 when it was acquired by Oliver St. John Gogarty, a notable literary figure who initiated restoration efforts. During a period of Celtic revival in Irish literature, Dunguaire Castle became a favored gathering place for literary revivalists including Synge, Yeats, Shaw, and O’Casey.

In 1954, Christobel Lady Ampthill purchased the castle and completed the restoration started by Gogarty. Today, managed by Shannon Development, Dunguaire Castle offers a glimpse into 16th-century life.

Architecturally, Dunguaire Castle is a small, traditional Irish Tower House with a prominent 75-foot tall keep. It features an outer curtain wall or bawn encircling a courtyard, originally intended for keeping livestock rather than for defense. The structure also includes a small tower or guard room at the southwestern corner of the courtyard. Notably, a single tower existed until it was connected to the main keep through an enclosed extension added in the 20th century. The Banquet Hall, with its thick stone walls and sturdy oak tables, is a highlight of the castle.

Open to visitors during the summer months, the castle hosts evening medieval-style banquet dinners, celebrating the legendary hospitality of Guaire the Generous, a 7th-century King of Connaught. These events feature food, wine, music, and storytelling in the atmospheric candlelit Banquet Hall, echoing the medieval feasts of King Guaire.

Visitors can explore Dunguaire Castle in an hour or two, and those attending an evening banquet might also enjoy visiting the charming fishing village of Kinvara. Additionally, Bunratty Castle is nearby and can be visited on the same day.

The Dunguaire Castle appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Galway!

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