Built sometime in the 15th or 16th century by the O’Flaherty clan, this fortified tower house once commanded impressive views across County Mayo’s rugged landscape. The castle’s strategic position allowed its occupants to monitor boat traffic on the lough whilst maintaining defensive advantages against would-be attackers.

The structure itself follows the typical pattern of Irish tower houses from this period; a rectangular stone fortress rising several storeys high, with thick walls designed to withstand siege warfare. Though now largely in ruins, visitors can still trace the outline of its defensive features, including narrow arrow slits and the remains of what would have been a sturdy oak door. The O’Flahertys, who controlled much of Connemara and parts of Mayo during the medieval period, used Corraun as one of several strongholds to maintain their grip on the region.

Today, the castle stands as a haunting reminder of Ireland’s turbulent past. Its weathered stones, covered in ivy and lichen, have witnessed centuries of conflict, from clan warfare to Cromwell’s campaigns. While the roof has long since collapsed and the interior floors have crumbled away, the remaining walls continue to resist the Atlantic weather that sweeps across Mayo. For those willing to trek to this remote spot, Corraun Castle offers a tangible connection to the medieval Gaelic lords who once ruled these wild western lands.