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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Ireland - Part 7 - Castles, or rather, Tower Houses

Castles in Ireland appear to be small in some locations and larger in others.  They riddle the countryside from rather isolated locations to villages and towns all over the "Emerald Isle".  Are they really considered castles?  Most of them are referred to as tower houses rather than castles.

Tower houses were Middle Ages era construction.  They were used both for defensive reasons and as dwellings.  Many "castles" in Ireland are from the Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries).  Below are some "castles" and tower houses that I visited in Ireland.  All of these photos are copyrighted to me 2004.


Kilkenney Castle - Yes, I think this is a real castle rather than a tower house.

Blarney Castle (Tower House) - Kissed the Blarney Stone!

Ross Castle (Tower House) near Kilarney

Bunratty Castle (Tower House) near Limerick
If you are interested in Ireland castles and tower houses, I might just have a few more photos.  Feel free to comment.  I have never been to Maguire Castle in Enniskillen.  Is it worth the trip?  Let's just say, it is worth the trip to Ireland to see where your ancestors came from.

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