Inch Castle, Inch More, Co. Clare
Standing in the townland of Inch More in County Clare, Inch Castle is a medieval tower house that likely dates from the 15th or 16th century.
Inch Castle, Inch More, Co. Clare
The structure consists of a rectangular tower measuring approximately 11.5 metres by 8.5 metres, with walls that are 1.5 metres thick at ground level. The castle originally stood four storeys high, though today only portions of the lower levels remain intact. The ground floor features a vaulted ceiling, whilst the upper floors would have contained the main living quarters, accessible via a spiral staircase built into the thickness of the wall.
Historical records suggest the castle was associated with the O’Brien clan, who held considerable power in the region during the medieval period. The tower house design was typical of Irish castles built between 1400 and 1650; these fortified residences served both defensive and domestic purposes for the Gaelic and Anglo-Norman nobility. The castle’s strategic location would have allowed its occupants to oversee the surrounding agricultural lands and maintain control over local trade routes.
Despite centuries of weathering and neglect, several architectural features remain visible at Inch Castle. The entrance doorway retains its distinctive pointed arch, characteristic of late medieval construction, whilst several window openings preserve their original stone surrounds. Murder holes above the entrance and narrow arrow slits in the walls speak to the defensive nature of the structure. Though the castle now stands roofless and partially ruined, these surviving elements offer valuable insights into the daily lives and concerns of Clare’s medieval aristocracy.