Project Description

Carrigaholt Castle is one of Ireland’s best preserved “Tower Houses”, built around 1480 by the MacMahons, the last Gaelic Chieftains to rule the Loop Head Peninsula. Strategically located at the Mouth of the Shannon, the castle’s story reflects the turbulence of European politics. The castle and surrounding grounds are privately owned, however in 2019, permissions was granted by the owners to the CDA to open the area to the public.

The CDA applied for Ministerial Consent (as it is a listed building and archeologically sensitive) to create a universally accessible public pathway through the field from the car park to the Castle grounds, allowing people to visit the area around the building itself. Government grant aid brought this work to completion in 2020, including delivering interpretation of the building, its history and its relevance to the local community and its importance in our shared heritage in the form of a panels along the pathway to the castle. The building itself is not open to the public as the entrance and windows were barred up by the OPW a decade earlier due to safety concerns. However, the castle may be renovated in the future to allow safe public access, delivering further interpretation or guided tours given by a local person. This would create a more personal and meaningful experience, as well as providing much needed employment opportunities to the village.

The walls surrounding the castle are in need of repair and this work could be used as an excellent training opportunity in the skills and craft of conservation renovation.

Project Justification & Objectives

Carrigaholt Castle would be a fascinating Point of Interest on the Loop Head Peninsula Discovery Way providing historical and architectural content at the Castle itself, which is an unusual occurrence. There are hundreds of Tower Houses dotted around the landscape of Ireland but very few are as well preserved and offer self-guided interpretation. The information available on the interpretive boards is extensive, however, a guide or doyen to bring groups and individuals on a tour with extra information and enthusiasm would add to the experience and create employment. The history of the castle is a shared history of the Loop Head community, as well as an interest to visitors, and essential in creating local identity and pride. The castle’s location at the Mouth of the Shannon reminds the visitor of the historic maritime strategic importance of Carrigaholt.

Project Stakeholders

• CDA

• Carrigaholt Community

• Loop Head Community

• Loop Head Tourism

• Loop Head Together

• Carrigaholt, Klibaha & Kilkee National Schools

• St. Josephs Secondary School, Kilkee