Carrigafoyle Castle — Attraction in Listowel Municipal District

The architecture and the stones used in the construction, and the construction itself of this castle by the O'Connor's is not like that of any other castle in Ireland, as far as I am aware. They used flat stones, as opposed to the usual stone blocks we commonly see. The reason behind this is that they believed this type of stone construction and the way they laid the stones was far more superior and could withstand far more attacks than those built of normal stone blocks. I have noticed during my visits here that Engineers and Architectural students have also been visiting to inspect the unusually constructed castle. So, that must say something. Quite a lot of money has now been put into the site to restore it as much as possible and as real as possible. As you see by the doors and the floors for instance, trying to replace these structures as near as possible to what was there before. Open your imagination and feel what it must have been like living there all those years ago. You can actually feel it. I don't think the Castle is open in Winter: ie: Oct-April. But it is well worth the visit, you won't be...

Amazing Castle just off the side of the Wild Atlantic Way as you head towards (or are just coming from) the Tarbert ferry across the Shannon estuary. The castle sits out in the shallow Bankside water of the river as it passes through the area. There is a small causeway footpath from the edge of what remains of the perimeter wall out to the castle proper and there are sections of the upper levels of the castle which can still be reached by climbing the steps, giving a commanding view of the surrounding area.

Across the other side of the road from the car park you can see the small church which was built for the people of the castle prior to its falling...

A fairly small ruin on the side of the river, this site has a small car park, and is reached down a narrow single track road with limited passing places. The castle has a pair of information boards detailing some of the history, but there are no other facilities such as toilets or refreshments.during high season expect to struggle to reach the site at weekends and find it very difficult to park, and then brush shoulders with lots of other people in the limited space inside.

Despite that it is an impressive construction, and inspiring for something constructed entirely by hand, and a still standing despite a siege...