Aughnanure Castle Ruins
Medieval Irish tower house overlooking Lough Corrib
A 16th-century tower house near Oughterard and Lough Corrib in County Galway; visitors explore its stone keep, clan history and lakeside views.
Aughnanure Castle at a Glance#
Address: Aughnanure Castle, Oughterard, Co. Galway, Ireland
Website: https://www.heritageireland.ie/en/west/aughnanurecastle/
Hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (seasonal)
Admission: Adult €4-€6 (Heritage Ireland seasonal rates)
About Aughnanure Castle#
Aughnanure Castle is a 16th-century L-shaped tower house near Oughterard in County Galway, built by the O’Flaherty clan. The castle retains its tower house core and parts of the surrounding bawn wall.
The principal features are the tall stone tower with multiple floors and the adjoining curtain wall and gatehouse, which together form a compact defensive complex visitors can walk around and enter. The site gives a clear example of a Gaelic lord’s fortified residence from the early modern period.
Constructed in the early 1500s, the castle was a seat of the O’Flaherty family and later saw contest and occupation during the period of English expansion in Ireland. It has since been conserved and is presented as a historic monument for public access.
The castle lies on the edge of Connemara’s lowlands near the village of Oughterard in County Galway, set within a rural landscape of lakes and farmland.
- Architecture: The structure is an L-shaped, multi-storey stone tower house with an enclosing curtain wall and gatehouse typical of 16th-century Gaelic lordship residences.
- Visitor access: Managed and conserved as a historic monument, it is accessible to visitors who can view the interior rooms and the battlements.
How to Get to Aughnanure Castle#
Aughnanure Castle is about 7 km from Oughterard in County Galway. From Oughterard take the R336 and follow local signage; parking is adjacent to the site with a short walk to the tower house.
Tips for Visiting Aughnanure Castle#
- Climb the spiral stair to the battlements for the best view over Lough Corrib and local bogland.
- Visit in late spring when the surrounding hedgerows are in flower; the castle's stonework photographs best in soft, low light.
Best Time to Visit Aughnanure Castle#
Best in late spring and summer for light and access; the castle is exposed and weather can change quickly.
Weather & Climate near Aughnanure Castle#
Aughnanure Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1115 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 117 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 80 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 85 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 62 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 73 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 68 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 91 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 104 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 121 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 124 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 4° | 121 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
