Dunguaire Castle has the most picturesque location at the shores of Galway Bay near Kinvara in County Galway. The castle comprises of a 75 foot tower and defensive wall against a stunning backdrop making this castle – the most photographed castle in Ireland!
Dunguaire Castle was built in 1520 by the Hynes Clan who were a prominent family in the area since 662. In the 17th century the castle was passed onto the Martyn clan of Galway who remained in the stonghold until 1924. It was Oliver St. John Gogarty, a well known surgeon and writer who bought and restored the castle and made it a meeting place for literary greats like George Bernard Shaw, Lady Gregory, J.M Synge and W.B. Yeats.
The castle is now in the hands of Shannon Development and is a popular tourist attraction in Galway. From mid-April to mid-October each year, the castle hosts medieval banquets where guests can enjoy a delicious four course meal and fine wines whilst be entertained by songs, stories and poems (especially the poems of Yeats, Gogarty, Shaw and Synge).
Dunguaire Castle can be found outside the little village of Kinvara, about 300 metres on the coast road in the direction of Galway city.
Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com
Visit www.GoIreland.com for all you need to know before visiting Ireland, like what to see and where to go. You can also view B&Bs, guesthouses, self catering and hotels all over Ireland as well as Galway hotels.
