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.