Ireland's Office of Public Works (OPW) is calling for public assistance in "uncovering missing pieces of history" at Aughnanure Castle near Oughterard in Co Galway.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the castle being open to the public, and an event is planned in the coming months to celebrate this important milestone.
In preparation, the OPW is calling on the public to provide any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure that they may have.
Aughnanure Castle, located on the shores of the Drimneen River, was built by the O'Flaherty family in the late 15th century.
In 1952, Peadar O'Flaherty donated the castle to the OPW for preservation as a National Monument.
Following years of extensive restoration, the castle finally opened to the public in 1974 and has since welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world.
According to the OPW, the last several years have been dedicated to delving into the archives, in search of the missing pieces of information on Aughnanure and the O’Flahertys. Access to archival material, pre-restoration photography, antiquarian accounts, historical maps and plans has produced exciting new knowledge that has provided answers to many questions. This important research aims to provide the public with the most complete interpretation of the site possible.
However, many questions still remain unanswered. The OPW hopes that with help from the public, it is possible these vital missing pieces can be uncovered. This new information can help researchers present a refreshed program of interpretation that has the potential to significantly enrich the current understanding of the site.
The OPW is now asking the public for any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure or the O’Flahertys. Whether you've visited the castle and have photos, or heard a story about the O’Flahertys, they would like to hear from you.
If you have any information, you can call in to the castle in person or send an email to [email protected].
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