Dunguaire Castle, Medieval castle in Kinvara, Ireland
Dunguaire Castle is a stone tower house that rises above the southeastern shore of Galway Bay, featuring restored defensive walls and battlements on its exterior. The structure sits on a rocky peninsula and commands views across the water and surrounding hills.
The fortification was built in 1520 by the O'Hynes clan and later passed to the Martyn family, who held control through the mid-17th century. This shift in ownership reflected changing power dynamics in western Ireland.
The location draws people interested in Irish literary history, as writers like W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw gathered here during the early 1900s. Visitors today can dine within these walls and sense the creative energy that once filled the space.
The site opens seasonally from spring through fall and offers guided tours during the day as well as evening banquets featuring local food. Plan to spend time walking around the structure and enjoying views across Galway Bay.
The name comes from King Guaire of Connacht, whose fortress occupied this location in the 7th century, centuries before the current structure was built. This connection links the site to multiple layers of Irish history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
