Visiting Leamaneh Castle Ruins in County Clare, Ireland
On the outskirts of the Burren in County Clare, the ruins of Leamaneh Castle stand gloomily alone in the middle of private farmland. Abandoned since the 18th century, this once-imposing fortress can no longer be explored up close — but its isolated setting makes it one of the most atmospheric castle ruins in western Ireland.
I visited Leamaneh Castle as part of a bus tour through the Burren, where we paused briefly for photos right from the coach. There’s a small pull-off along the side of the road that allows you to stop and take pictures, making it an easy (and free) sight to see as you pass through the area.
While you can’t enter the ruins, Leamaneh Castle is still worth a stop if you’re exploring the Burren or driving through County Clare. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Leamaneh Castle, including where to find it and what to expect when you visit.
Leamaneh Castle Overview
Leamaneh Castle is a ruined castle in County Clare that consists of a 15th-century tower house and a 17th-century mansion.
The castle’s name derives from the Irish léim an éich meaning “the horse’s leap” or léim an fheidh meaning “the deer’s leap”.
Leamaneh Castle History
The original tower house of Leamaneh Castle was built in the late 1400’s by Turlogh O’Brien, King of Thomond, one of the last of the High Kings of Ireland and a direct descendant of Brian Boru. The castle’s five-story tower house has narrow arrow slit openings, small chambers, and a spiral stairwell.
In the 1640’s, the O’Brien family demolished part of the tower house and attached a four-story manor house as their living space. This fell into ruin by the 18th century, and parts of the building were even relocated to other castles and great estates.
Leamaneh Castle is associated with “Red Mary”, one of the most famous women in Irish folklore and the castle’s resident ghost.
Red Mary, the Ghost of Castle Leamaneh
Máire Rua MacMahon, better known as Red Mary, was infamous for her fiery red hair and matching explosive temper. Legend paints her as ruthless and unpredictable: servants who displeased her were said to be hanged from the castle windows, and unlucky visitors were encouraged to ride her wild stallion, which allegedly sent riders plunging to their deaths at the nearby Cliffs of Moher.
Red Mary even accompanied her husband on raids against English settlers and was fiercely opposed to Oliver Cromwell’s brutal campaign in Ireland. After her husband was killed during a rebellion, she realized her defiance could cost her everything. To protect her estate, she married a Cromwellian soldier — an act that ensured Leamaneh Castle remained in her control.
Over time, Red Mary became a larger-than-life figure in Irish folklore. Some stories claim she went on to marry as many as 25 men after her second husband’s death, either divorcing — or killing — them one by one, depending on who’s telling the tale.
Her death is just as dark as her life. Legend says Red Mary was buried alive inside a hollowed-out tree. Locals still claim her ghost roams the ruins, forever tied to the castle she helped shape through fear, defiance, and sheer force of will.
Visiting Leamaneh Castle
Leamaneh Castle is privately owned, so you unfortunately aren’t allowed to go inside it; you’ll have to be content with admiring from afar. But that also means that it’s free to see!
There is a small pull off on the side of the road where you can stop to take pictures, if you’re driving through the area yourself.
Most bus tours of the Burren (the vast rocky landscape that covers the southern region of County Clare) will stop at Leamaneh Castle for a quick minute to allow you a photo opportunity.
Address: Lemenagh Castle, Leamaneh North, Co. Clare, Ireland
Hotels Near Leamaneh Castle
Find a place to stay near Leamaneh Castle. Here are the closest hotels to these picturesque ruins:
- Falls Hotel & Spa
- Hylands Burren Hotel
- West Haven House
- Doolin Village Accommodation
- Station House Bed & Breakfast
For another great castle to visit in County Clare, check out Bunratty Castle.
Top County Clare Tours
- Cliffs of Moher & Burren Day Tour with a 2 hour stop at Cliffs
- Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Ennis Town & Bunratty Castle Day Tour
- Guided Doolin Cave Tour: Experience Europe’s Largest Stalactite
- Horse riding – Mountain Trail. Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. Guided. 2 hours.
Where to Stay in County Clare, Ireland
- Top Hotel: Hotel Doolin
- Great Value: Hotel Woodstock Ascend Hotel Collection
- Unique Stay: Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel
More Ireland Tips
- 15 Things to See and Do In Dublin, Ireland
- One Day in Dublin, Ireland: 24 Hours in Dublin Itinerary
- 26 Best Free Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland
- 3 Days in Dingle: Top Things to Do on the Dingle Peninsula
- 6 Amazing Day Trips From Dublin, Ireland
- 20+ Incredible Experiences You Can Have in Galway, Ireland
- 10 Breathtaking Day Trips from Galway, Ireland
Ready to visit Leamaneh Castle in County Clare, Ireland? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find accommodation: You can find top hotels near Leamaneh Castle or top hotels in County Clare using Booking.com.
- Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you visited Leamaneh Castle in County Clare, Ireland? Tell me about your trip in the comments!
