Overview:

Kerak Castle is a Norman castle located in Ballinafad, County Mayo in Ireland. It was built in the late 12th century by de Courcy-Wilton family. It is situated on a triangular hilltop overlooking the Partry mountain and was used as a defensive stronghold and lookout point during the many wars in Ireland over centuries. The castle was also used as an administrative centre by the De Courcy-Wilton family. It eventually passed to the hands of the O'Donnell family, who also fortified the castle and kept it as their stronghold. The castle eventually fell out of use and was abandoned in the 18th century. Restoration works have been carried out since then and the castle is now open to visitors as a tourist attraction. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

1. Located on a rocky hilltop, Kerak Castle is a visually impressive fortification, built by the crusaders in 1142 AD. 2. The castle’s strategic location allowed it to guard the King's Highway, a strategic pass from Egypt to Damascus. 3. It has a unique triangular design with five corner towers and two gates. 4. The castle was restored by the Knights Hospitaller in the 12th century and has subsequently undergone extensive renovation works. 5. It boasts more than 10 meters of walls around the castle and a network of outer walls and towers. 6. The Great Hall is one of the castle’s most magnificent features, with a Gothic theme and intricate wall carvings. 7. This medieval wonder is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful castles in the region. 8. The ruins of a Byzantine church and a Mamluk palace can also be found within the castle. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

Kerak Castle is an historic castle located on the southwestern coast of Ireland, near the town of Kilrush, in County Clare. The site of Kerak Castle dates back to the late 12th century when the O’Brien clan, known as the Lords of Thomond, constructed the Elizabethan-style castle. Over the centuries, it fell into near-ruin and was only restored in recent decades. The castle was used as a lookout for Irish coastlines for hundreds of years, until the O’Brien clan was vanquished in the late 16th century during The Nine Years War. In 1602, the castle was captured by Sir Charles Wilmot, who was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I to suppress Ireland’s rebellions. In 1715, King George I granted the castle to William Saurin who subsequently made improvements to it. The Saurin family later sold the castle to the Frawley family and it gradually fell into disrepair. In the 20th century, Kerak Castle was bought by an eccentric Englishman, Henry Thomas Bury, who hired the architect Eileen Gray to restore and design the structure. Bury also brought in renowned neurosurgeon and artist, Dr. Cecil Carrick-Smith, to help with the renovation. Gray’s work included adding a long fountain and a collection of sculptures in the garden. Kerak Castle has become a popular tourist destination and has enjoyed a revival in recent years. Today, it can be found on the itinerary of many guided tours of the region. Its unique design makes it one of Ireland's most admired castles. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Kerak Castle is located on the eastern side of Ireland’s Irish Sea coast, as it overlooks the Mourne Mountains and Mourne Valley. 2. The castle dates back to the 12th century, when it was built as a defensive fortification to guard the strategic entrance-way into Dublin Bay. 3. The first known reference to Kerak Castle was made in 1188, during a voyage from Dublin to Ireland’s Aran Islands. 4. Kerak Castle was attacked several times over the centuries and was eventually captured by the English in 1690. 5. It was extensively restored in the 19th century and is now in the care of the Irish Archaeological Survey. 6. Today, the castle is open to the public and is part of an amenity walk, along with the neighbouring Downpatrick Castle. 7. Its exterior walls are more than 9 metres thick and contain several guided tours which discuss the castle's history. 8. It is home to a free-roaming population of wild birds which make the castle their home. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era