Fidduan Castle

Fiddaun Castle is a six storey castle, built in 1574, and once considered to be the largest castle in all of Ireland due to the amount of land that was encompassed within its outer walls. Fiddaun Castle is perhaps among of the best-preserved castles in the entire country. The castle is not easily accessible, but after a short hike, you will be rewarded with a castle that is so intact that you can explore every corner at will. The stairs are steep, narrow, and slippery, so it can be dangerous, but it is well worth the trip to catch a genuine peek into Ireland’s history.

Some records indicate it was surrounded by a mote with a draw bridge. Another record called it an island which has since been drained. The castle was owned by the O’Shaughnessy family and guarded the western parts of their lands. The castle was forfeited in 1697 when Sir William O’Shaughnessy, who was only fifteen fled to France to fight as a captain in the Jacobite cause and later became a Mareschal de Camp in 1734. Lady Helen, died at Fiddaun Castle in 1729, after which it was abandoned.

Situated between Lough Doo and Lough Aslaun near the modern village of Tubber. It is located on private land and maintained by the Office of Public Works. To get there, you must pick up the key from the landowners (who may or may not chaperone or guide you) and hike through acres of fields before the castle even comes into view.