Newtown Castle

Republic of Ireland, Ireland

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Newtown Castle is a distinctive 16th-century tower house located near Ballyvaughan in the Burren region of County Clare, Ireland.

Built around 1550 by the O’Brien clan, it is famous for its unusual design, featuring a circular tower rising from a square pyramidal base, making it one of the most unique castles in Ireland. The castle later became associated with the O’Loghlen family, an influential local clan often known as the “Kings of the Burren.”

Over the centuries it served as both a fortified residence and a symbol of regional power before eventually falling into disrepair. Carefully restored in the 1990s, Newtown Castle is now part of the Burren College of Art. Visitors can admire its rare architecture, explore its historic interiors, and enjoy its scenic setting amid the dramatic limestone landscape of the Burren.