The Menlo Castle is a melancholic and beautiful ruin on the bank of a river, covered in vegetation.
Menlo Castle
Castles of Connacht: Menlough, Galway (2) by Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Menlo Castle is situated on the banks of the River Corrib, which empties into Galway Bay, just outside of Galway City. It is a local landmark that can be seen from Galway, home of the National University of Ireland, across the river.
However, this enigmatic forsaken castle is so overgrown with vegetation that it almost blends into the surrounding landscape.
Menlo Castle
Mark McGaughey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Blake family, English nobles who lived on the Menlo estate (also known as Blake Castle) from 1569 until 1910, when a fire destroyed the castle and tragically killed the Blakes’ disabled daughter Eleanor, whose body was never found, made the 16th-century castle their home.
Menlo Castle
Mark McGaughey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Only a few university joggers or dog walkers frequent the riverside path that runs alongside the abandoned castle. Because it blends in with its natural surroundings, the castle is difficult to spot because of the lush vegetation that covers it. However, if you continue on, you will eventually come across the ruins of a small stone hut, which help to indicate that the castle will soon be visible.
Menlo Castle
Mark Grealish, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When you get close enough, the castle stands out from the trees around it thanks to its large, round towers. Once you have a clear view of the castle, you can see how big it is thanks to the exposed stone that runs toward the base. Nearly all of the stone exterior is covered in green hanging vines, indicating how long the castle has been abandoned and reclaimed by nature.
From the town’s center, you can walk to the castle or take a short drive. Hop over the locked gate at the end of the dirt road by walking there. After that, you can enter the empty castle and look around.
