Achill Island was part of the O'Malley clan territory which stretched from the Mayo Galway border to Achill.
The castle here was one of a number belonging to them. They were a well known and feared seafaring and trading family.
Kildamhnait Castle is a 15th-century tower house and one of its best known residents was the famous pirate queen Granuaile or Grace O'Malley. She was born and is buried on Clare Island.
She even met with met with Queen Elizabeth I in 1593 as the English monarchs control was increasing over Ireland, she refused to bow as she didn’t recognise Elizabeth as queen of Ireland. They spoke to each other in Latin as neither spoke the others language.
There are a few other castle caches in the area associated with her.
GC8A11
GCFAXR