Private Day Tour in Connemara/Kylemore Abbey/Sky Road

The late medieval Dunguaire Castle has long been a popular stop for visitors. As well as holding the honour of being one of Ireland’s most photographed castles, it played an important role in Ireland’s literary revival movement in the early 20th century. Situated on a small raised knoll surrounded by the waters of Galway Bay on three sides, the castle stands on a strategic point, with a narrow causeway connecting it to the mainland. Built around 1520, it is believed to have been built on the site of the dún (or fort) of Guaire, a 7th century king of Connacht. This gives the castle its name, Dún Guaire. The 16th-century castle is thought to have been a seat of the Ó hEidhin (O’Hyne) family, who were the regional rulers. By the early 17th century, the castle was owned by the Martyn family, one of the wealthy and famous merchant ‘Tribes’ of Galway. The Martins owned the castle up until the 20th century.