Just before the pandemic, I stopped off in Ireland while travelling home from the US to do a tour of the Dwyer Castles. My family heritage is from Ireland; my ancestors built these castles to defend their land from the invasion of the English lead by Oliver Cromwell. They were unsuccessful, the castles were confiscated and many were destroyed.

Because of the pandemic it’s taken me over a year to do this post (homeschooling!). I’ve enjoying looking at the photos again; it’s a small taste of the travel we’re all missing.

Ballysheeda Castle

The best preserved of the castles I visited (Killenure was closed). I was very lucky with the timing of the sunrise. I had spent the night wide awake on an aeroplane…

The Cell Of The Monks

Not a Dwyer castle, but kind of interesting. I’m not really sure what it is. It’s just down the road from Ballysheeda Castle

Ballagh Castle

Not much left of this one. There’s also a memorial to Eamonn O’Duibhir just next to it, and the Clonoulty memorial up the road.

Graigorne Castle

Another ruin. There’s another possible castle on the hill opposite and a church yard with some Dwyers in it:

Drumbrane Castle

Only a stump of this one left, but it’s in an amazing location.

Clonyharp Castle

This one is part of a farm but the farmer was very friendly and let me take a few pictures:

Ballymore Castle

This foundation is all that remains of Ballymore Castle – there is now a barn inside. The owner very kindly let me look around:

Moyaliffe Castle

I never found this one, I think the house might be on top of it:

Millborne Castle

Not much left of this one either. It was a long walk from the road in the mud!

Signs

I also saw my name on a few signs: