Clara Castle 1.67

Clara Castle is a tower house (caiseal) or peel tower located in County Kilkenny, Ireland.LocationClara Castle is located about 6km east of Kilkenny City, near one of the headwaters of the Nore.HistoryClara Castle was built in the late 15th/early 16th century by the Shortall family, who lived there until c. 1640. Henry Johnson occupied the castle in the Cromwellian period, and it later passed to the Byrnes; occupants include Anthony Byrne (1656–1720), Lewis Byrne (1690–1766), Mathew Byrne (1694–1754), Anthony Byrne (1725–1810), Michael Byrne (1762–1835). The castle was occupied up until 1905.BuildingClara Castle is five storeys tall with a vault above the third floor. On the north side is a bawn measuring 10 x 22 m (32 x 72 feet). It retains many of its original oak doors and floor beams.There is a murder-hole above the entrance, which is also protected by a yett and drawbar.The second floor, probably the lord's chamber, has a hooded chimneypiece, mural passage, garderobe and a small bedroom. It was originally painted blue and one wall has a Crucifixion mural.The floor above, contains a secret chamber.