Athclare Castle

Athclare Castle is a stone fortress with a rectangular plan that rises in Dunleer, featuring thick defensive walls across multiple floors. The narrow window openings throughout the structure reveal its defensive purpose.

The Barnewell family built the fortress in the 1550s, and later owners added an eastern tower during the seventeenth century. These changes show how the structure evolved and was adapted over generations.

The castle displays the building style that Irish noble families favored at the time, combining elements of protection with domestic comfort. You can see from its design that it served both as a fortress and a residence.

The castle interior is not open to visitors, but the exterior walls can be viewed from nearby public roads in County Louth. It is best to explore the property from outside and observe the stonework from various angles.

The adjoining hall contains a preserved early seventeenth-century chimneypiece that shows the craftsmanship of the period. This architectural detail is a rare glimpse into the interior finishing of such fortresses and remains visible despite the property's limited access.

Location: Dunleer

GPS coordinates: 53.81550,-6.39807

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:24