Rockfleet Castle

Rockfleet Castle is an Irish castle located on Clare Island in County Mayo. Built in the middle of the 16th century, it belonged to Richard Burke, who had to give it to his former wife Grace O’Malley, a famous Irish pirate, when he divorced her.

Visit Rockfleet Castle

A fortified tower on Clare Island

Rockfleet Castle is a 4-storey fortified tower, rising to a height of more than 18 metres. Open to the public all year round, the castle was built on the seafront. It was restored by a wealthy American owner in the 1950s, and has benefited from a very special renovation, using materials corresponding to those used in the 16th century.

A true jewel of Irish heritage, the castle now belongs to the Irish State. Everything can be visited there: from the first floor with its astonishing scale, to its crow’s nest hidden in one of the walls of the building’s secret passage. Only the door on the top floor is padlocked for security reasons.

A small exhibition retraces the great moments of Grace O’Malley, the Irish pirate who marked the history of Ireland by her multiple battles, whether on land or at sea…