| Oola Castle | |
|---|---|
| Native name Caisleán Úlla (Irish) | |
| Oolla Castle | |
 | |
| Type | Tower house |
| Location | Oolahills East, Oola, County Limerick, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°31′41″N8°14′31″W / 52.528075°N 8.241964°W |
| Built | c. 1550–1600 |
| Architectural style(s) | Renaissance |
  Location of Oola Castle in Ireland | |
Oola Castle is a tower house located in County Limerick, Ireland. [1]
Oola Castle is located 1 km (0.62 mi) east of the village of Oola. It lies in the Golden Vale, 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Limerick. [2]
It should not be confused with the castle in Ballyneety nearby, which is sometimes called "Oola Castle." [3]
The current building dates to the late 16th century and was built by the O'Briens. [4] It is classified as a "later" tower house; according to Claire Foley and Colm Donnelly, "greater provision of heat and light, married to Renaissance concepts of symmetry, was incorporated into the traditional building form to create a new tower-house paradigm, as expressed at buildings such as Oola [Castle]." [5]
In 1825, antlers of the giant deer ("Irish elk") were discovered; and, in 1828, a bronze trumpet, spear and arrowheads of bronze were found. All were placed in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin. [6]
A local legend concerns a princess named Theresa who lived in the castle in the 18th century; she was very fond of oranges and was later forced to move to County Cavan for unclear reasons. [7] [8]
The castle is a square six-storey limestone tower house. There are circular bartizans on the northeast and southwest corners. The upper windows have hood moulding, and the east and west walls have their original fireplaces. [9]
When it was in use, it would have had whitewashed walls, gables crowned with chimneys and mullioned windows. [10]
