Dysert O'Dea

My interest was not in the castle, although I remember seeing it in the distance. I wanted to go to the church and round tower. It was challenging to find, although I remember being able to watch very closely for signs along the road to find it. We then parked and you had to climb through two sets of stairs that go over rock walls and through a cow pasture to get to it. I found it to be a very beautiful setting and a wonderful Romanesque church. There was also a lovely high cross in the pasture. It was worth the effort to find the site.

Many of the signs are fairly unobtrusive, as I remember. It was also a much longer trip than the initial sign suggested. So you need to watch very carefully.

Barbara,

I'd say the Dysert O'Dea Castle does not merit a visit unless one is truly interested in castles in general or in the history of this one in particular. It's rather small, with a couple of cannons out front and a small gift shop inside. Nothing to distinguish it. The castle just outside Oughterard, however, I felt had more appeal, though not by a lot. It's been 20 years since I was there, so the details are foggy.

If you're interested in old stuff - not restricted to castles, that is - the Craggunowen Project (a replica of a pre-historic settlement), also in County Clare was much more interesting. It's staffed by folks acting the roles of the peoples of that time. Visitors can actually see how the ancients lived and why they built the settlement the way they did. It also has penned in wild boars.

Also other old things perhaps of interest: Dunluce Castle on the northern coast of County Antrim, N. Ireland, a few miles west of the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (both well worth a visit themselves); and Dun Aengus, a circa 2,500 BC ring fort perched a few hundred feet above the sea on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. It's a long hike or a shorter bike or taxi ride out from Kilronan.

Thanks, for the information. I remember we went the distance listed on one of the signs and then thought maybe we were lost when we didn't see the castle or anymore signs. We did see a cow pasture or two so maybe we were closer than thought. Actually, I'm not that interested in castles at all but was interested the other ruins near Dysert Castle. I read there was an archeological dig at the site. Not sure if is still going on. I am more interested in monastic sites, archeology, and history. If I could I would visit all the monastic ruins in Ireland! Will look into the other sites suggested. We may give Dysert another try. Thanks again for sharing your experiences!
Barbara

One additional point: even when we got there I don't remember seeing a prominent sign saying we were in the right place. There was simply a parking lot, with one other car there. So I parked and followed a stone wall until I got to the first stairs over the wall... At that point I could see the high cross, which suggested I was in the right place.. As I recall, the sign identifying and describing the site was when I actually got to the church.

The castle outside of Oughterard is Aughnanure Castle the seat of the O'Flaherty's. Way better than Dysert O'Day. You should check out "An Coole" - ie: Cool Park just North of Gort, Co. Galway which is between Ennis & Galway. The Autograph tree is there in the walled garden on the former grounds of Lady Augusta Gregory's home - beautiful parklands, easy parking & lovely museum. If you love Literature at all then you will love this place. PS: those "stairs" in the wall my Mam told us are stiles. I've climbed over many to get a good pic!

PSS: instead of GPS -get a Survey map. It was the best investment we ever made 2 trips ago when we bought a "Ordinance Survey" road map at a gas station/shop - more detailed than any road map I have ever had in the 20 years of visiting family & touring. WAAAYYYY better than GPS! Will be buying current Survey map when we get to Ireland this July - due to some road changes over the last 3 years.

I am making my maiden voyage to Ireland in a week, and I must say that Dysert O' Dea is definitely worth seeing. However, I am quite biased as my biological great uncle (John O'Day of Wisconsin Rapids, WI) was behind the restoration of the castle and ground remains in 1970. I urge you to reconsider and spend some time there. Also on the grounds is one of Irelands' few remaining high crosses - now THAT is definitely worth seeing, in my opinion!