Dunsandle Castle

Dunsandle Castle is a 15th-century tower house completed around 1460 near Athenry in County Galway, hidden within Dunsandle Woods near the village of Killtullagh. Built by the powerful Anglo-Norman De Burgo family, the castle later passed to the Daly family, prominent Gaelic nobles and poets. Architectural features include a great hall with unusual tie beams, distinctive groin vault construction, and unique defensive elements including a 'Killing Room' and 'murder hole' above the entrance—along with a rare anti-clockwise spiral staircase. The surrounding fortifications include an 18th-century ice house, remains of later extensions, and a Bawn with defence tower featuring gunloops. Recently restored, Dunsandle Castle stands within native Irish woodland, representing an important example of medieval Irish fortress construction.