Clonony, Tudor tower house in County Offaly, Ireland.
Clonony is a limestone tower house that rises about 50 feet (15 meters) near the Shannon River and features defensive walls with a moat surrounding the structure. The restored building provides access to multiple floors with an original barrel-vaulted ceiling and sits within extensive gardens.
The structure was built in 1519 by the MacCoughlan clan and later came under the control of King Henry VIII, who granted it to Thomas Boleyn during the Tudor era. This transfer marked a significant shift in the site's ownership history.
The burial ground holds the graves of Mary and Elizabeth Boleyn, cousins of Queen Elizabeth I, marked beneath a hawthorn tree. This connection to the Tudor family draws visitors interested in royal English history.
Visitors can use the restored spiral staircase to explore the lower floors, with lighting provided by candlelight throughout. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for narrow, steep stairs.
The tower house operates without electricity, allowing visitors to explore its restored chambers and banquet hall by candlelight alone. This authentic experience of navigating by flames provides an immediate sense of how medieval inhabitants lived.
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