FRIARY OF ROSS ERRILLY

We stumbled on this little gem accidentally while driving a loop around Lough Corrib via Galway. Most of our itinerary was pre-scouted via Google Maps and other websites. I am very appreciative of those that have went before us and shared images so you at least have some idea of what to expect when you arrive. This is nice from not only a sightseeing perspective, but also a photographer perspective. I do enjoy a complete blind surprise such as this as well.

We saw the structure from the main road and wasted no time making our way toward it. This marvelous ruin is in near to the County Galway and County Mayo line near Headford. You need only wonder a wee bit from the friary to reach the banks of the Black River.

Fish Tank

This site is touted as the most popular tourist attraction in the area. When we arrived we had the entire place to ourselves. While we were getting our cameras situated a local man came walking down the road and provided us with a wonder historical account of friary. He spoke of an unusual feature inside – a water tank to hold live fish from river until eaten.

The Ross Errilly Friary (Irish: Mainistir Ros Oirialaigh, often anglicised in 18th & 19th century sources as Rosserelly) is a medieval Franciscan friary located about a mile to the northwest of Headford, County Galway, Ireland. It is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country. Though usually referred to by locals as “Ross Abbey,” this is not technically correct as the community never had an abbot.

The church and bell tower are to the south of a small but well preserved central cloister and domestic buildings are to the north. Amongst these are a kitchen (equipped with an oven and a water tank for live fish), a bake house, and a refectory or dining area. The dormitories are on the upper levels. One unusual feature is a second courtyard or cloister, built to accommodate the friary’s growing population. -Wikipedia

We spent a lot of time here; it is very easy to do. There is much to look at and lots to explore. The surrounding countryside is quite picturesque as well. It is easy to image the monks living here and farming the land.

OUGHTERARD

After a much-needed and restful night sleep at Corrib View Country House (just to the East of Oughterard on Lough Corrib) we sat down to another version of a Traditional Irish Breakfast. It was always different: 1 or 2 eggs; with or without white and/or black pudding. There was always ample tasty meat thought. The sausage was pretty consistent throughout our travels. It had a creamy texture and great flavor. At 10g fat per link I now know why. So good.

Just down the way a bit from our B&B was Aughnanure Castle. We stopped by the previous evening before checking into our B&B, but it was about to close. We instead went back to Oughterard to look around and get a bite to eat. The town center was very busy with foot traffic and patrons have a pint (or several). The streets were lined with shops – no strip mall style anything here. We located a nice pub with fish & chips easily. You can never go wrong with fish & chips. We were very tired from a full day of travel and sightseeing, but could not resist stopping by and old cemetery we drove by on the way into town.

AUGHNANURE CASTLE

Google Maps describes this site as a well-preserved Irish tower fortress with gargantuan fireplaces and a watchtower you can climb.

Built by the O’Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure Castle lies in picturesque surroundings close to the shores of Lough Corrib. In 1546 the O’Flaherty’s motto “Fortune favours the strong” and the powerful Mayo O’Malleys Motto “Powerful by land and by sea“, were joined in the marriage of Donal an Chogaidh O’Flaherty and Grainuaile/Grace O’Malley. Standing on what is virtually a rocky island, the castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. In addition, visitors will find the remains of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn and bastions and a dry harbour.

–Heritage Ireland

I very much enjoyed visiting this castle as there were very few people milling about. The setting was beautiful with the lazy Drimneed River flowing by the outer stone walls on two sides. All structures such as these typically have an interesting feature known as a meurtrière at a main gateway to the premise to thwart attackers , but I’d never heard it described as a “Murder Hole” before. It is quite an accurate description really.

This one was relatively small; I am guessing as this whole site wasn’t large in comparison to some castles, but a murder hole nonetheless is was.

Here are some additional images of the interior.

Diagram of Aughnanure Castle c. 1500s – Oughterard Heritage

Back in the 1500s this site was a bit more formidable. Today most of the inner walls are gone while the outer walls remain intact. We were fortunate; during our visit in the morning there were very few people there which allowed for easy photographing.

Here are some photos of the grounds. The softer light the evening before was nicer (first two photos) than the bright sunshine of the next morning.