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Merlin Woods Castle, Galway

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  • 01-12-2013 9:55pm
    #1
    dennis124wwr
    Registered Users Posts: 81 ✭✭


    I live near the the castle and I go walking there sometimes. When I go walking, in the woods there is very old stone walls - everywhere. Pieces of stone you see on the ground look like they were cut and sanded.
    Can someone help me get some info about the castle and the walls in the woods. Or if somebody has any pictures like maps or something.
    Thank You.


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    #2
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,108 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    have a loook here


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    #3
    dennis124wwr
    Registered Users Posts: 81 ✭✭dennis124wwr


    But I need info on the castle itself.

    p.s. Do you live near the castle


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    #4
    Missent
    Registered Users Posts: 157 ✭✭Missent


    I mentioned Sean Spellissy's book on Galway in a previous thread, so this is what he has to say on "Merlin Castle" (in an abbreviated form):

    Originally known as Doughiska or Doughiske castle. Dermot O'Connor, the Abbot of Knockmoy, leased part of the lands of Doughiska to Henry Blake of Galway in 1383. Architectural features of castle suggest that it dates from 16th century. Lynch family were dispossessed by the Cromwellian Commissioners between 1653 and 1655. Francis Blake, first of the Blake family to reside there, moved there in 1731. Name changed to "Merlin Park" during Francis Blake's lifetime.

    In 1853, estate sold to a Mr. Hodgson by Encumbered Estates Court. Subsequently owned by the Waithman family. House built against eastern wall of castle at one stage but long disappeared. Castle seems to have been abandoned from late 18th century onwards. Castle has secret chamber or "priest's hole."

    Hope that's of interest!


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    #5
    DeepSleeper
    Registered Users Posts: 272 ✭✭DeepSleeper


    There was an excavation undertaken there in 2002 - you can read a summary of the results here:

    http://www.excavations.ie/Pages/Details.php?Year=&County=Galway&id=8082


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    #6
    dennis124wwr
    Registered Users Posts: 81 ✭✭dennis124wwr


    Then is there any maps of the woods with the walls marked on it ?


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    #7
    DeepSleeper
    Registered Users Posts: 272 ✭✭DeepSleeper


    Is this any help?

    http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,533500,725943,7,9


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