Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeCastle - tower house
- Recorded sizeL 10.95m, W 9m
What to look for
- Wall-walk and parapet
- Spiral stair
- Murder hole
- Vaulted floor
- Ogee-headed windows
- Fireplace
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
On E verge of modern road (the older road lay further to W) overlooking Ballindooly Lough to SE. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Redmud Reogh' (Nolan 1901, 115). Well-preserved rectangular four-storey tower (L 10.95m, Wth 9m).
Full archaeological record 199 words
On E verge of modern road (the older road lay further to W) overlooking Ballindooly Lough to SE. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Redmud Reogh' (Nolan 1901, 115). Well-preserved rectangular four-storey tower (L 10.95m, Wth 9m). A pointed-arch doorway of two orders (now robbed) is centrally placed in SE wall: this opens into a lobby with murder-hole above and spiral stairs in E corner. The ground, 1st and 2nd floors are comprised of a main chamber with a subsidiary one to SE. A stone vault exists between 2nd/3rd floors and there is a fireplace in SW wall on 1st floor. An enclosed latrine gallery runs along SE side of the main chamber between lst/2nd floors. There are also latrines on 1st and 3rd floors off the main chambers. That on 3rd gives access, via a trapdoor, to a concealed chamber below it in the thickness of the arch. Only the base of the parapet survives. Twin-light windows on 3rd floor are set in semicircular embrasures with finely decorated soffits. Apart from the latter, all the windows are single-lights with ogee, circular and flat heads. (Athy 1914, 166-71; O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 1, 329, 331)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 05 August 2010 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
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Around Ballindooley Castle
Other heritage nearby
- St. Nicholas' Collegiate ChurchAncient church · 4.3 km
- St Anne's WellHoly well · 5.3 km
- Roscam Round TowerRound tower · 5.7 km
- Roscam ChurchAncient church · 5.7 km
- RoscamMonastic site · 5.7 km
- Claregalway FriaryAbbey or friary · 7.0 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 14 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 megalithic tombArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Moycullen (Maigh Cuilinn) Heritage Trails - Killagoola Loop WalkWalking Trail · 5.2 km · nearest point 9.5 km
- Lackagh-Knockdoemore Walking TrailWalking Trail · 2.4 km · nearest point 9.9 km
- Moycullen (Maigh Cuilinn) Heritage Trails - Killarainey Woods WalkWalking Trail · 2.4 km · nearest point 10 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Ballyloughane BeachBeaches · 4.6 km · Good Quality (2025)
- Grattan Road BeachBeaches · 6.0 km · Sufficient Quality (2025)
- GalwayWalled towns · 4.3 km
Other attractions nearby
- Wild Atlantic Way Day ToursNature and Wildlife · 2.1 km
- Galway City Tours - Boat ToursNature and Wildlife · 3.9 km
- VoiceMap GalwayWalking · 3.9 km
- James Mitchell MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 4.0 km
What's on nearby
- 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane2026-11-05 · 4.5 km
- Romeo & Juliet, Ballet Ireland2026-11-06 · 4.0 km
- 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane2026-11-06 · 4.5 km
Excavations nearby
- E2052 Doughiska, County GalwayRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.0 km
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