Carrigaholt Castle

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One of Ireland's best-preserved "Tower Houses," Carrigaholt Castle was built in 1480 by the MacMahons, the last Gaelic chieftains who ruled this peninsula. The tale of the castle, which is strategically situated at the Mouth of the Shannon, captures the turbulent political climate of Europe.

The Tudor Dynasty of England's final conquest of Gaelic Ireland and the castle's siege in 1599 by the Crown-aligned Earl of Thomond marked the end of the 16th century. After losing his estate, Teigue MacMahon, the infamous rebel leader, was killed in a rebellion on the Beara Peninsula.
The castle was given to Daniel O'Brien, the Earl of Thomond's brother, in 1602. Daniel's grandson survived the siege by Cromwell's army in 1651 and was appointed Lord Clare of Carrigaholt, First Viscount, in 1662.

To retake the English throne, he organised three regiments, known as the Clare Dragoons, with a combined strength of 2600 men to fight in the army of the overthrown King James in the late 1680s. After losing to William of Orange's army at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, James' supporters were given permission to leave for France. Known as "the Flight of the Wild Geese," the Clare Dragoons of Carrigaholt departed Ireland to enlist in the French army. In 1757, Charles O'Brien, the 6th Viscount, Lord Clare, was appointed Marshal of France.
In 1697, the estate was granted to the Earl of Albermarle and later sold. The Burton Family acquired the castle and lived there until the end of the 19th century.

The castle is under the protection of the Office of Public Works and National Monuments. The grounds are privately owned.