Tyrone House

Tyrone House is a three-story limestone structure with a basement that rises on a promontory near the Kilcolgan river estuary in County Galway. The building sits elevated on the landscape and overlooks the countryside surrounding the village.

The house was built in 1779 for Christopher St George and suffered destruction during the Irish War of Independence. Local IRA forces burned it in 1920, leaving it in ruins that remain today.

The deteriorating mansion inspired writer Edith Somerville to use similar places as settings in her literary works. Her writing captures how such grand houses were viewed within Irish society during her era.

The visit requires navigating to an elevated location near Kilcolgan village where the ruins are accessible. Sturdy footwear is advisable since the ground is uneven and the structure demands care when exploring.

Many architectural elements such as fireplaces and arches were removed from the original structure and reused in neighboring buildings over the centuries. This practice was common as materials were valuable and rebuilding was important in the region.

Location: Kilcolgan

Inception: 1779

GPS coordinates: 53.20702,-8.90947

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47