SECOND PHOTO SERIES

PAGE TWO

The heart of Gaelic Ireland

  The Joyce family were of English origin, arriving in Ireland in the reign of Edward I, going on the seize large tracts of land in the Barony of Ross; an area subsequently known as the Joyce Country. Another of the Tribes of Galway, they had seats in Merview, Woodquay as well as parts of Mayo.

Corofin Castle was built in 1451 for Emelina deBurgo, and was part of the manor of Headford.

Merlin Park, formerly Doughiskey, was an O'Connor castle of the 16th century. Still in good condition, it was lived in to the mid-19th century.

Derrydonnel More is a massive 15 century deBurgo keep, surrounded by intricate fortifications.

Moyveela is a much ruined early tower house, probably of the Burkes.

Kylemore Castle was built in 1864 by Mitchel Henry. Now a convent school run by the nuns from Ypres. 

Ballinderry, south of Tuam, is a very late tower house of the 17th century.  Now being restored.

Hackets Castle, close to Tuam, was home of the Hacket family at first; later of the Kirwans after the Cromwellian settlement.

Grange was the castle of Walter Bui de Burgo, and was built in the 15th century.

Headford Castle was built by the Skerret family, one of the 14 tribes of Galway.

Riverville was one of three tower houses in close proximity, being a residence of the Bourkes from the 16th centruy. 

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All these photographs are copyright © Patrick Larkin, March 2000.

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