Menlo Castle: A Historic Tower House and Residence in Galway, Ireland

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.galwaytourism.ie

Country: Ireland

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Menlo Castle stands near the village of Menlo, on the edge of the River Corrib in Galway, Ireland. It was originally built in the mid-16th century by the Gaelic or Anglo-Irish inhabitants of the region, reflecting the common practice of constructing fortified tower houses during that period.

The earliest confirmed phase of the castle dates back to 1569 when it was constructed as a tower house, a type of fortified residence typical in Ireland at the time. Records from 1574 note that Thomas Colman occupied the tower, demonstrating its role as a noble dwelling from its inception. By around 1600, the castle came under the possession of the Blake family, who were established landholders across Galway, Mayo, and Clare. The Blakes maintained residence at Menlo Castle for over three centuries, marking a long period of family ownership that extended into the 20th century.

During the 18th century, the Blakes expanded the original structure, adding a sizeable two-bay, four-storey block to the castle, which reflected the architectural styles and domestic needs of that era. This expansion represented a transition from purely defensive architecture to a more comfortable, stately home.

On 26 July 1910, a significant fire broke out at Menlo Castle while Sir Valentine Blake, the 14th baronet, and Lady Blake were away in Dublin. The blaze devastated much of the building, and their daughter Eleanor, who was disabled, is believed to have perished in the disaster, as no trace of her was ever recovered. Following this tragic event, the castle fell into disuse and gradually became ruinous.

In the aftermath of Irish land reforms, the Blake estate was partitioned by the Land Commission in 1923, breaking up the family holdings connected to Menlo Castle. Decades later, Galway City Council took possession of the castle and the surrounding property through a compulsory purchase order in July 2000, consolidating the lands under public ownership.

Remains

Today, Menlo Castle consists of the ruins of its original 16th-century tower house combined with an 18th-century residential extension. The earliest section is characterized by a square, turreted stone structure located on the castle’s eastern end. Built from traditional stone masonry common to Irish tower houses, this part of the castle served both defensive and residential functions in its time.

Attached to this tower house is the later two-bay, four-storey block constructed in the 1700s. This addition extended the living space and altered the castle’s silhouette, showing the evolution from medieval fortress to a more spacious home. Both parts of the building display robust stone walls, though the castle’s interior and original furnishings were destroyed in the 1910 fire.

The castle’s position directly on the bank of the River Corrib remains a defining feature, highlighting its strategic riverside location, which would have offered both protection and control over river access. Vines of ivy and wild grape now climb the external stone walls, giving a sense of the passage of time over the structure’s weathered surfaces.

While the castle stands in ruin, the stonework preserves its general form and allows visitors to appreciate the historic layering of construction styles. The surviving walls and the turret confirm the defensive origins, while the adjoining four-storey section reveals the later adaptation to residential needs. The site remains a tangible link to the region’s feudal past and the Blake family’s centuries-long association with Menlo.