Glenquin Castle

Glenquin Castle lies in the town of the same name, in County Limerick, in Ireland.

Although a date of 1462 has been put forward for its construction, Glenquin Castle was first mentioned in 1569. It was built by the O'Hallinans, on the site of an earlier fortification, but shortly after its completion it was captured by the O'Briens. They are said to have slaughtered the entire O'Hallinan household, except for one boy, who would later avenge his family.

It stayed in possession of the O'Briens until 1569, when it was taken by the FitzGerald, who were the Earls of Desmond. The castle was confiscated by the Crown after the Desmond Rebellions of 1569-73 and 1579-83. In 1591, as part of the English plantation of Munster, the Crown granted the estate of Newcastle, which included 'Glanughwym' (Glenquin) to Sir William Courtenay/Courtney. It was already described as 'a ruinous castle unrepaired' in 1655 when it was owned by Colonel Francis Courtnay.

Glenquin Castle was restored as a dwelling house in 1840 for a Mr. Furlong, an agent of William Courtenay, the 10th Earl of Devon. It was also restored in the 1980s and is now a National Monument in State care.

The castle is a rectangular, 6-storey tower house. Its name, an anglicized form of 'Gleann an Choim', means 'glen of the shelter'. Legend has it that there is a tunnel leading to the castle from Killeedy Castle, 3.2 km to the east.

At present, Glenquin Castle is a tourist attraction and can freely be visited during daylight hours. It is completely empty but still beautiful and offers great views all around from the platform at the top. A mighty tower house, I recommend a visit.

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