Clonony Castle: A Hidden Tudor Gem Steeped in Irish and English History — Ruinlust
Clonony Castle: A Hidden Tudor Gem Steeped in Irish and English History
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Hidden in the heart of County Offaly, Clonony Castle is one of Ireland’s most fascinating Tudor-era landmarks — a striking Tower House with deep connections to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.
Built in the 1500s by the MacCoughlan family, this historic castle once served as a refuge for the Boleyn cousins, who are buried beneath a hawthorn tree on the grounds. Known as the first place in Ireland where muskets were fired, Clonony Castle blends Irish heritage, Tudor intrigue, and even a touch of the supernatural — locals claim a ghostly figure still roams its battlements.
Recently restored and once owned by an American ballerina. Clonony Castle is privately owned and not open to the public, its imposing silhouette can be admired from the roadside, drawing history lovers, photographers, and fans of haunted Irish castles alike.