Carrickkildavnet Castle, Tower house on Achill Island, Ireland
Carrickkildavnet Castle is a medieval stone tower house on Achill Island, off Ireland's west coast, classified as a national monument. It rises on a small rocky outcrop at the edge of Achill Sound and has several floors with vaulted ceilings and thick defensive walls.
The tower was built in the 15th century by the O'Malley clan, one of the most powerful families along Ireland's west coast. In the 16th century it became one of the bases used by Gráinne Ní Mháille, known in English as Grace O'Malley, a seafaring leader who controlled the sea routes of this region.
The castle takes its name from the old parish of Kildavnet, which surrounds it on Achill Island. Visitors standing near the tower can see how the narrow channel below was once the main route for boats moving along this stretch of the Irish coast.
The castle sits on a small tidal islet just off Achill Island and is best reached on foot at low tide. Wearing sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground near the water's edge can be slippery and uneven.
The tower has only one entrance, deliberately made low and narrow so that anyone entering had to bend down and slow down. From the top, defenders had a clear view of the entire waterway and could spot approaching ships long before they arrived.
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