The ‘ferocious O’Flaherties’, masters of the whole territory of west Connaught, built this fine castle in the early sixteenth century, possibly on the site of the thirteenth-century Norman fortification.  It occupies a position of same strength close to Lough Corrib on what is virtually a rocky island formed by the Drimneen River, separating into two branches and reuniting at the other side — a circumstance that gave rise to the old phrase “Aughnanure, where the salmon come under the castle”.