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Lynch's Castle

Lynch's Castle
Caisleán an Linsigh
Image
Lynch's Castle
Lynch's Castle is located in Galway
Lynch's Castle
Location within Galway
General information
Architectural style
Gothic
Georgian
LocationShop Street, Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53°16′23″N 9°03′08″W / 53.2731°N 9.0522°W / 53.2731; -9.0522
OwnerAllied Irish Banks

Lynch's Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Linsigh[1]) is a fortified townhouse in Galway City, Ireland. It was built by the Lynch family, which was one of the Tribes of Galway. Today, it operates as an AIB Bank and is located on Shop Street.[2][3]

The castle is one of the two surviving fortified town houses in Galway city owned by the Tribes of Galway, the other being Blake's Castle.[4]

History

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The castle is assumed to have been built during the 15th or early 16th centuries.[2]

The Coat of Arms of King Henry VII is present on the facade of the building.[5]

The building was originally five stories tall, however the floor levels were changed in 1820 and Georgian windows were added.[5]

In 1918, Nellie Burke (née Kirwan), rented the castle to the Munster & Leinster Bank. In 1920 she sold the castle, including some surrounding land called the French Property to the bank.[2]

Between 1966 and 1964, bank manager Frank Dorgan had the masonry cleaned and repointed. He also added an extension to the castle on Abbeygate Street.[6]

In 1966, the Munster & Leinster Bank was bought by Allied Irish Banks, and the premises continues to operate under the AIB name to this day.[2]

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Lynch's Castle/Caisleán an Linsigh Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Conneely, Jacob (25 November 2024). "A Brief History of Lynch's Castle". Galway Civic Trust - Dúchas Na Gaillimhe. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  3. ↑ Comerford, Patrick (15 June 2019). "Lynch's Castle". patrickcomerford.com. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Medieval Galway • Galway City Museum". Galway City Museum. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Lynch's Castle, 40 Shop Street, Abbeygate Street Upper, TOWNPARKS(ST. NICHOLAS' PARISH), Galway, GALWAY". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Kenny, Tom. "Lynch's Castle". Kennys.ie. Retrieved 10 July 2026.