Built in the 16th century by the de Burgo family, who later anglicised their name to Burke, the castle evolved from a defensive tower house into an impressive fortified residence. The structure features the classic elements of Irish castle architecture; thick limestone walls, narrow window slits on the lower levels, and larger mullioned windows added during more peaceful times in the upper storeys.

The castle’s most dramatic chapter came during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 1650s, when it was besieged and partially destroyed by Parliamentary forces. Despite this setback, the Burke family rebuilt and continued to occupy Dunsandle until the early 18th century, when they constructed a more comfortable Georgian mansion nearby. The old castle then began its slow transformation into the romantic ruin visitors see today, with nature gradually reclaiming the stone walls whilst preserving enough of the structure to showcase its former grandeur.

What makes Dunsandle particularly intriguing is its blend of architectural periods; you can trace the evolution of Irish castle design from medieval fortification to Renaissance residence in its remaining walls. The great hall’s ghostly fireplace still dominates one wall, whilst the remnants of a spiral staircase hint at the multiple floors that once housed generations of the Burke family. Local folklore speaks of a hidden tunnel connecting the castle to a nearby monastery, though no evidence of this passage has ever been found. The site remains on private land but can be viewed from the public road, offering photographers and history enthusiasts a glimpse of Galway’s feudal past.