O'Dea Castle, Medieval tower house in Corofin, Ireland.
O'Dea Castle is a medieval stone tower near Corofin in County Clare, standing on a limestone outcrop in the Irish countryside. Inside, it houses the Clare Archaeology Centre, displaying objects and exhibitions drawn from the surrounding region.
The tower was built in the late 1400s by the O'Dea clan, who held considerable power in County Clare at the time. Over the following centuries it changed hands several times before being restored and opened to visitors.
The castle functions today as a local archaeology centre where visitors can see objects from different periods of time. This collection shows how people lived here across the centuries.
The site is easiest to visit on foot, and sturdy shoes are a good idea as the ground around the tower can be uneven. Several other historical sites nearby can be combined into a single outing.
The tower sits close to a cluster of ring forts and megalithic tombs that are scattered across the surrounding countryside. The archaeology centre inside the castle offers maps and guidance to help visitors find these sites on their own.
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