Granuaile's Castle Explained

Granuaile's Castle
Native Name:	Caisleán Ghráinne
Native Language:	ga
Coordinates:	53.7998°N -9.9513°W
Location:	Glen, Clare Island, County Mayo, Ireland
Built:	16th century
Owner:	State
Type:	tower house
Height:	12m (39feet)
Designation1:	National Monument of Ireland
Designation1 Offname:	Granuaile's Castle
Designation1 Number:	198

Granuaile's Castle is a tower house and National Monument located in Clare Island, Ireland.^[1]

Location

Granuaile's Castle is located on the east coast of Clare Island.^{[2] [3]}

History

Granuaile's Castle was built in the 16th century by the Ó Máille (O'Malley), Kings of Umaill. It was a stronghold of Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley, c. 1530 – c. 1603), the famous "pirate queen." Her other strongholds were at Rockfleet Castle (on Clew Bay) and Carrickkildavnet Castle.^[4]

In the 1820s the castle was converted into a police barracks, when the purple slate flashing was added to the two bartizans.

Building

The main living room was at that first floor level with access to the bartizans and the garderobe.^{[5] [6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Granuaile's Castle. 20 October 2009.
2. Web site: Granuaile's Castle Sept 09.
3. Web site: Grania-u-aile Castle, Clare Island.
4. Web site: Clare Island Survey: A Biological Survey of Clare Island in the County of Mayo, Ireland and of the Adjoining District .... Royal Irish. Academy. 1 January 1915. Hodges, Figgis. Google Books.
5. Web site: Granuaile's Castle, Clare Island • Destination Westport.
6. Web site: Irish Castles - Granuailes Castle.
7. Web site: Clare Island – The Castle.