Carrigaholt Castle
Caisleán Charraig an Chabhaltaigh
A five-story tower castle built by the MacMahon family in the late 15th century, standing beside Carrigaholt Pier and overlooking the Shannon Estuary.
The castle was built at the end of the 15th century by the MacMahon family, who ruled the area. It is a typical Irish tower house, five stories high, with some of its surrounding walls still standing. In 1588, some Spanish Armada ships anchored in a nearby bay. In the 17th century the castle changed hands several times, and later it was occupied by Viscount Clare. The castle sits beside the pier of the small fishing village of Carrigaholt, next to the departure point for dolphin-watching boats, so you can look around while you wait for your boat. The interior is generally not open to the public, so the focus is on photographing the exterior. The village has several traditional pubs and seafood restaurants, so you can have lunch while you're there.
Opening hours
Exterior visible all day
Nearby sights
- Shannon Dolphin Watching (Carrigaholt)
- Kilkee Cliff Walk
- Pollock Holes
- Kilkee Bay (Moore Bay)
- Scattery Island
- Church of the Little Ark
- Bridges of Ross
- Vandeleur Walled Garden