Carrick Kildavnet Castle

Carrickkildavnet Castle, County Mayo Photo © Albert Bridge, 2 April 2006

Kildavnet Castle - Photo © Mike Shinners, 16 June 07

Carrick Kildavnet Castle, County Mayo Photo © Bob Shires, 16 September 2008

Achill Sound separates Achill Island from mainland Mayo. Corraun Hill (524 metres) dominates the background.

Castle Carrick Kildavnet (or Kildavnet) Castle is a late 15th century fortified Tower House. It is associated with the famous sea-pirate Grace O’Malley (Granuaile) and was probably built by one of her ancestors. Close by is Achill lifeboat station opened in 1996. The lifeboat is a 14 metre Trent class named "Sam and Ada Moody".

It is about four storeys high and stands to full height. There is no stairway from the ground or first floor levels and access to the upper storeys is not possible. It is vaulted above the first floor and a hole at the corner of this vault is the only access to the higher levels. There appears to be a small mural chamber at the first floor. The tower has a machicolation at roof level in the middle of the three walls on the landward side. At one corner is the base of a short stretch of bawn wall with remains of a round flanking tower. The castle has many small defensive loops with larger windows at the higher levels, including one over the doorway. Some of the loops have slopstones which are visible from the outside.