Glinsk Castle


Glinsk Castle is a tower house and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.

Location

Glinsk Castle is located in the centre of Glinsk village, halfway between Creggs and Ballymoe, in the valley of the River Suck.

History

Glinsk Castle was built in the mid-17th century and is reputed to be the last castle built in Ireland. It was the seat of the Burke baronets of Glinsk. It was gutted by fire, leaving it well preserved. In 1829 Skeffington Gibbon described it as "a terrific roofless pile, haunted by a colony of rats."

Castle

The castle stands on a limestone floor overlooking the countryside; famously, one can see all five counties of Connacht.
The castle is rectangular with two towers protruding to the south. It has two chimney shafts, each a battery of five diagonal stacks. The windows are mullioned with weepers. Defensive features included gun loops, bartizans and high basements. It was once surrounded by a bawn wall with turrets but little of that remains.