27 May Glinsk Castle, County Galway
A ruined shell on a rise above a small, wooded rover valley is all that remains of one of the many tower houses built in this area by the de Burgo family. It dates from the 1630s, by which time these defensive buildings began to evolve into more comfortable places to live in. it has large stone-mullioned windows on every floor, making the rooms lighter than before; a generous, rectangular ground plan and two fine sets of tall, square chimneys. Even so, the roof gables still hide behind the parapet and the main door is plain and small, presumably for better defence.
Glinsk Castle is a real hidden gem that is worth a visit on your tours of Ireland.