Ballymore Castle, Medieval tower house in Lawrencetown, County Galway, Ireland
Ballymore Castle is a limestone tower with four stories in County Galway featuring walls roughly 4 feet (1.2 meters) thick. The structure displays defensive elements including narrow windows and loopholes, along with a two-story residential house added during the Georgian era.
An English soldier named John Lawrence built the castle in 1585 after marrying into the family of local Irish lord O'Madden. His descendant Walter Lawrence later enhanced the property, reflecting the family's growing prosperity and integration into County Galway society.
The addition of a two-story house in 1815 represents the architectural transition from defensive structures to residential mansions during the Georgian period.
The building sits on the western plateau of Redmount Hill, providing clear views across the surrounding County Galway landscape. This elevated location makes orientation easy and gives visitors a strong sense of the site's strategic placement within the region.
An ornamental marble chimney piece from the early 1600s decorates the interior and showcases the craftsmanship of that era. This refined detail contrasts sharply with the fortress-like character of the original tower, revealing how the space evolved from purely defensive to more comfortable living.
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