Dunlough Castle, Norman castle site in Three Castle Head, Ireland
Dunlough Castle consists of three connected rectangular towers standing on a rocky headland between steep cliffs and the shores of Dun Lough. The structure sits facing the Atlantic Ocean and uses the rugged landscape as part of its defense.
The O'Mahony family built this castle in 1207 and held control of it for centuries. In 1627 the British Crown took over the property, marking the end of local rule.
The castle shows how Norman military design mixed with local Irish building methods in its towers and stonework. This blend of two building traditions reflects how different people influenced this part of the coast.
Getting there means walking about 30 minutes across private farmland with sheep, following unmarked paths from the parking area. Wear sturdy shoes and check the weather beforehand since the terrain changes with the seasons.
A medieval wall at the eastern shore of the lake functions as a dam, stopping water from cascading down into Dunmanus Bay below. This engineering solution is easy to miss among the cliffs and water, yet it solved a real problem for the castle's inhabitants.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
