18 Old Ruins to Explore in Galway

Checkout places to visit in Galway

County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is in the West of Ireland, taking up the south of the province of Connacht. There are several Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county. The traditional county includes, and is named for, the city of Galway, but the city and county now have separate local authorities: Galway City Council administers the urban area, while the rest of the county is administered by Galway County Council.

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Old Ruins to Explore in Galway

Athenry Heritage Centre

Athenry Heritage Centre is the ideal starting point to discover the best preserved medieval town in Ireland. Its exhibits include the torture dungeon, models of the medieval town, storyboards and a replica street of medieval crafts. You can experience this history with interactive exhibits of weaponry, armour, dressing up in medieval costume and Have-A-Go Archery.

Aughnanure Castle

Aughnanure Castle was built in the 16th century as a stronghold of the O'Flaherty clan, and is renowned for its unusual double bawn. The castle was built by the O'Flaherty family in the 16th century, one of Connacht's most notable lord families. Aughnanure is one of over 200 tower houses in County Galway, constructed mainly by Gaelic and Anglo-Norman land owning families. The tower lies close to the shores of Lough Corrib, and translates to "the field of the yews" in Irish.

Carraigin Castle

Carraigin Castle is a 13th century lakeside castle in seven acres of private parkland on a lake shore. It was surrounded by forests with rich parkland, the castle offers a variety of activities to its visitors. Boating and fishing is available close to the castle along with pleasant woodland walking, cycling and horse-riding.

Claregalway Castle

Claregalway Castle is a fully restored 15th century Anglo-Norman tower house. The castle is the original home of the Brian Boru Harp and it was Situated on the banks of the River Clare, in Claregalway village. You can walk the corridors of time and follow the history of the Castle from Norman times to its current restoration, experiencing the masterful woodwork of the great hall and the stonework that has stood against time.

Clifden Castle was built by John d'Arcy in a Gothic Revival style between 1812 and 1815. Overlooking the Clifden Bay, the castle features a round tower to the southeast, as well as two round turrets, a square tower and the entry tower. Entering through the large medieval gateway, you will see a number of standing stone erects. Uninhabited after 1894 it fell into disrepair. In 1935, ownership passed to a group of tenants, who were to own it jointly, and it quickly became a ruin.

Clonfert Cathedral

Clonfert Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Clonfert. It stands on the grounds where St Brendan founded a monastery in the 6th century. The monastery was a thriving centre of learning for centuries and at one time it is estimated there were 3,000 monks based at Clonfert. The current building was erected in the 12th century at the site of an earlier 6th century church founded by Saint Brendan, which was associated with a monastery he founded and at which he was buried.

Dun Aengus is over 3,000 years old prehistoric hill fort on the Aran Islands of County Galway. It was perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the fort is about 900 metres from the visitor centre and offers views of up to 75 miles of Irish coastline. As much of the tour is outdoors, visitors are advised to wear weather protective clothing and shoes suitable for walking over uneven terrain.

Dunguaire Castle

A majestic 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland. The castle comprises of a 75 foot tower and defensive wall against a stunning backdrop making this castle – the most photographed castle in Ireland. The castle served as one of the strongholds built by Guaire’s descendants, Lords of Aidhne, O’Heyne or Hynes, chieftains in 1520. It was one of minimally nine fortifications built in the region.

Dunsandle Castle

Dunsandle Castle is a 15th century castle built by the De Burgo family. It is fully accessible and has an exceptional charm with its location in the middle of the forest and its stones full of history. It is filled with unique architectural features to include a great hall with tie beams, it’s groin vault construction, an 18th century ice house, a murder hole and remains of a bawn with a defence tower featuring gunloops.

Friary of Ross (Ross Errilly Friary)

Ross Errilly Friary is the largest and best preserved Franciscan Friary in Ireland. is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country. Though usually referred to by locals as "Ross Abbey," this is not technically correct as the community never had an abbot.

Glinsk Castle is situated in the River Suck valley and was the principal residence of Lord of Clonconway, Mac David Burke and was built in the mid 17th century, on the site of an earlier castle. The main entrance way was on the first storey on the south side, between the two towers. The interior walls and floors have gone. One of the most impressive features remaining are the prominent chimney stacks in the end walls.

Kilmacduagh Abbey

Kilmacduagh Abbey is a 7th century Irish monastery located near Gort, County Galway. Half in ruins, the building has an exceptional charm, worthy of the greatest remains in Ireland. It was founded by Saint Colman, son of Duagh in the 7th century, on land given him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht. This site was of such importance in medieval times that it became the centre of a new diocese, or Bishop's seat, the Diocese of Kilmacduagh, in the 12th century.

Na Seacht dTeampaill - The Seven Churches

This was probably the most important pilgrimage site on the Aran Islands during the Middle Ages. It have been home to seven houses of worship, but today only Teampall Brecan and Teampall an Phoill survive. Temple Brecan was built around 1200 and is flanked by a number of rectangular houses, which are believed to be the only pilgrim hostels to survive from late-Medieval Ireland.

Oranmore Castle

Oranmore Castle is a castle in Oranmore, County Galway, in Ireland. It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The Castle of the Well played a pivotal part in the defence of Galway during the Confederate Rebellion in the 1640s. It belonged to the Clanricardes, a prominent Norman family in Galway. Galway was under the rule of the Marquess and fifth Earl Clanricarde in 1642 when the town revolted and joined the confederate forces.

Pearse's Cottage in Rosmuc is the former holiday home of Patrick Pearse leader of the 1916 Rising. Pearse also used the house as a summer school for his pupils from St. Enda's where in taught in Dublin.The interior which was burned during the War of Independence has been reconstructed and an exhibition in the cottage is dedicated to the life and work of Pearse.

Portumna Castle & Gardens

Portumna Castle is a semi-fortified house in Portumna, County Galway, Ireland. It was built in the early 17th century by the 4th Earl of Clanricarde, Richard Burke. The castle is a unique example of the transitional Irish architecture of the early 1600s. Its bold design combines elements of medieval and Renaissance style that complement each other perfectly.

Teampall Bheanáin

The oratory Teampall Bheanáin is situated near Kilronan on Inishmore, Aran, Galway Bay, Ireland. It dates from the 11th century. Measuring just 3m by 3m, it's thought to have been a hermitage. A unique example of Celtic church construction. It is reasonably assumed to be the tomb-shrine of the saint.

The Black Fort is a large stone fort on the cliffs at Cill Éinne, Inishmore in County Galway, Ireland. Due to erosion, it now sits on a rocky promontory that stretches out into the sea. On its outer side there are large walls, reaching 6 metres high and 5 metres wide. On the inside are the ruins of clocháns. There is also evidence of a cheval de frise protecting the entrance.

Map of Old Ruins to Explore in Galway