I don't want to read this! Just take
me to the PHOTOGRAPHS! Here's what you may find on this site:
A collection of photographs and drawings
of the Castles of Galway. Not just the famous and well-known castles, but a
little limelight for the lesser-known castles of the area. Each
page is organised so as to display 10 photographs of Galway Castles.
This has been limited to 10 so as to speed up the loading of the
page - too many photographs would slow things down too much. There
is just one photograph of each castle, and each one is different.
Each photograph is accompanied by a very short history, just to
give an idea of the age or importance of the structure, and where
possible, its original owner. The Index
Pages are organised to present a thumbnail view of the following
pages, to give a fore-taste of the pages themselves. Each set
of thumbnails is accompanied by a link to the relevant page. The
thumbnails themselves are NOT hyperlinked - you must go to the
individual page for the photographs. As well as photographs of
attractive castles in good condition, I have also added drawings
of some castles which no longer exist; and some photographs of
the ruinous remains of several castles. With each page,
I have included a small snippet of history of some of the castle
builders of Galway - the old order Gaelic Chieftains, the
14 Norman families of the City of the Tribes, and the English
adventurers who followed.
I hope you enjoy these pictures,
and that you will let me have your comments. You may also have
further information for me about specific castles. So mail me!
That's why I have provided the Email link.
Background:
From the earliest earthwork or timber
constructions, the great castles of stone finally developed.
The earliest stone Castles built in County Galway
date back to the 13th century Anglo-Norman invasions of Connacht,
and defensive fortifications have been built since that time by
both the invading Normans and the Gaelic Chieftains of Ireland
whom they gradually displaced over the next several hundred years.
Castle building continued from the early 13th century up to the
very end of the 17th century. The structures then built were developed
& evolved over that period, which covered half a millennium.
Initially, there were the massive Anglo-Norman fortifications;
built to dominate & intimidate the surrounding hostile territory.
These were followed by Hall-houses, which were one or two storey
stronghouses built entirely for defensive reasons, to protect
garrisons in the manner of a barracks. These were followed in
due course by the classic Irish form of the castle, which is termed
the Tower House. These towers still dot the county landscape in
great numbers, and were developed as family homes for the protection
of local chieftains and their retinue. The Tower House in Ireland
developed several features unique to the country, including a
singular form of battlement. Galway was particularly well
covered by Tower Houses - some parts of the county have remains
of up to once such fortification for each 3 square miles. The
introduction of gunpowder and artillery into the country in the
17th century spelt the end of these castles as secure places.
The final phase of castle building arose from the wealthy landlords
of the late 18th and early 19th century. Fortified with the wealth
accumulated in the 100 years after the 17th century Cromwellian settlement and
the destruction of the old Gaelic order,
they gradually moved out of the old castles they inherited, and
built new homes. They developed a fashion for revivalist castle
building, sometimes building wonderful homes. Many of those are
since abandoned or ruined as a result of socio-economic changes;
others have survived intact.
It's a wonderful tribute to those early
builders that so many of all these fine structures are still in
use as homes or as hotels. Many more are being restored, renovated
or otherwise being modernised and made habitable; thus ensuring
that these wonderful buildings will remain a part of the landscape
of Galway for some considerable time to come.
Navigation:
The Photographs are divided into several
sections, each containing five pages. In turn, each page contains
ten photographs. The five sections are made up of three sections
of castles in good repair; one section of castle drawings; and
one section of castles now ruined. The menu system below
will allow you to navigate through the pages individually; or
to pick up where you left off before. Additionally, each page
has navigation buttons to go forward, back or to return to this
home page. In order to help you get the most from these photographs,
the menu system has an overview section which provides access
to thumbnail pictures of the actual page contents. However you
choose to navigate this site, I hope you find these pictures evocative
& enjoyable.
All these photographs
are copyright Patrick Larkin, March
2000.
Send your comments,
information and requests to me here:
AWARDS:
This site has been
awarded the Site of the Month award for June 2000
by the World Castles
Library.
This site has been awarded a 3 shamrock rating
by Doras, the Irish Internet Site directory, July 2000.
This site has been awarded the WEB KNIGHT SILVER SHIELD AWARD by the
Medieval Europe Photo Gallery.
This site has been awarded a GOLDEN WEB AWARD for 2002-2003
This site was awarded the Site of the Month award by the European Castles
Sitering