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Castleview House Bed and Breakfast Oranmore
Oranmore Castle
Oranmore Castle
Castleview House Bed and Breakfast is located directly across the road and overlooks Oranmore Castle. It is an excellent choice of accommodation in Oranmore for those who wish to explore the castle and Galway Bay.
History
Oranmore Castle was built sometime round the fifteenth century possibly on the site of an older castle. It was a stronghold of the Clanricardes who were a prominent norman family of Galway. In 1641 Galway was under the overlordship of the Marquess and fifth Earl Clanricarde. In March 1642 the town revolted and joined the Confederates with the Fort (St Augustin's) still holding out. Clanricarde placed a strong garrison in Orannmore castle, from which he provisioned the Fort of Galway from the sea until 1643 when Captain Willoughby Governor of Galway surrendered both fort and castle without the Marquess's consent. In 1651 the castle surrendered to the Parliamentary forces.
Oranmore Castle at Sunset
All the Marquess's property was of course forfeited but his successor, the 6th Earl, got back most of it including the castle. In 1666 he leased the castle to Walter Athy. Mary, Walter's daughter married secondly Walter Blake of Drumacrina Co Mayo, and her descendants by that marriage, held Oranmore until 1853, when the estates of Walter Blake were sold to the Encumbered Estates Court.
The Blake family built the house against the south side of the castle. This house was left in ruins when the Blake family left Oranmore and the castle was unroofed until 1947 when it was bought by Lady Leslie, a cousin of Churchill and wife of Sir Shane Leslie the writer.
Lady Leslie reroofed the castle and gave it to her daughter, Mrs Leslie King who is aiso well known as a writer under the name of Anita Leslie. Between 1950 and 1960, Mrs Leslie King and her husband, Cmdr Bill King (also a writer who sailed solo around the world in 1933) added a two storey wing joined to the castle by a single storey range. The castle is now occupied by Leonie King, daughter of Anita Leslie and Bill King, and her husband Alec Finn of De Danaan.
Contact Details for Oranmore Castle
Telephone+353 (0)91 79 4256
Address: Oranmore, Co Galway, Republic Of Ireland
Location: Oranmore Castle is located on the N6 - Galway-Dublin road.
Opening Hours: Month of May, 1st-27th July, 4th-31st August, and 25th-30th September. 14.00-18.00. Closed Sundays.
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