SECOND PHOTO SERIES

PAGE FOUR

The heart of Gaelic Ireland

The Lynch family are so well known as to need little introduction as one of the Tribes of Galway. They arrived in Ireland with Hugh deLacy, and were sufficiently well established to supply the majority of the Mayoys of Galkway during the 15, 16 and 17th centuries. Fine castles and seats remain in Shop street, Newcastle, Barna, Drimcong, Lydican, Moycullen, and Shannonbridge.   

Ballybroder, close to Loughrea, is a fairly plain tower house of the Burkes, from the 16th century.

Ballymore castle in Lawrencetown was originally a Madden tower house of the 15th century, to which a house was added in 1620 and much altered since.  Still inhabited.

Blackgarden was a massive & imposingly tall tower house from the 14h century. 

Clooneen castle was a 14th century tower house, part of the manor of Headford.

Dunamon castle was originally built in the 12th century by the O'Finnaghy clan. It changed hands many times, and is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited building in Ireland.

Garbally was a 15th century O'Kelly tower house, demolished by Cromwell & never repaired.

Isserkelly was originally a 14th century O'Kelly stronghold, which later became the main residence of the McHubert Burke family from the 16th century.

Kilcolgan was built in 1801, and replaced a FitzGerald castle from 1241. Now an hotel.

Lismore was the principle seat of the O'Maddens in the 15th century; it later passed to the Burkes, and later to the Daly family who added a large mansion to it. Now quite ruined..

Longford was another O'Madden fortress from the 15th century, which saw many battles in its environs.

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

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