Thoor Ballylee, Medieval tower house in Gort, Ireland
Thoor Ballylee is a four-story stone tower standing on the Streamstown River bank with narrow windows and Norman architectural features built in the 15th century. The structure displays typical defensive tower characteristics including thick walls and a spiral staircase running through its core.
The tower was built by the de Burgo family in the 15th century as a defensive stronghold that served the region for centuries. In the early 20th century, poet W.B. Yeats purchased the building and transformed it into his summer residence, shifting its purpose from military to artistic use.
The tower served as a retreat where Yeats found inspiration between his urban literary life and rural surroundings. The setting reflects the connection between artistic work and country living in early 20th-century Ireland.
The tower is open to visitors during warmer months and accessible on foot through the surrounding grounds. Good walking shoes are recommended since visiting involves climbing stairs and navigating uneven terrain on the property.
Stone walls bear a carved inscription that records both the tower's restoration and playfully predicts its eventual decay. This unusual combination of historical documentation and humor reflects an earthy approach to time's passage.
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