Rockfleet Castle at Carraig-an-Cabhlaigh
Posted by: 
MAGEpirate
N 53° 53.764 W 009° 37.520
29U E 458908 N 5972139
A tower castle of the Burke and O'Malley clans, important in the Elizabethan era of Irish and English politics as it was the stronghold of the "Pirate Queen" Grace O'Malley, and her husband "Richard-In-Iron" Burke
Waymark Code: WM2479
Location: Ireland
Date Posted: 09/01/2007
Views: 153
This is an interesting example of square defensive tower castle from the medieval/renaissance era . It is one of five along the shores of Clew Bay that are associated with Grace O'Malley, known as Ireland's Pirate Queen. Grace inherited a fleet of boats from her father, Irish sea-faring merchant Dubdara O'Malley. In the late 1500's, when the English began attacks against the Irish and attempted a takeover of Connemara and Clew Bay, Grace expanded her clan's efforts from trade to piracy . Grace would spend summers at the family castle on Clare Island, but in her later years spent her winters at Rockfleet Castle. Located on a narrow but fairly deep inlet of Clew Bay, just north of Newport and Westport, Grace was able to keep an eye on her favorite ship by mooring it just outside the castle and lashing its main rope through her castle bedroom window and onto her bedpost.
In order to have your visit approved for log-in, please send a photo of yourself visiting the castle, and answer this question: how many garderobes are located in the castle, where are they located, and what is unique and interesting about the way they function in this castle?
Accessibility: Full access
Condition: Partly ruined
Admission Charge?: Not Listed
Website: Not listed
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