We begin our visual
tour at the front
entrance to the
castle, shown here at low tide.
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The earthen ground
floor of the castle with an
alcove containing
a removable, wooden, alternating
step ladder which
could be raised to curtail access to the rest of the castle when under
siege.
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As we ascend the
ladder to the second floor we begin to understand how confusing an alternating
step ladder can be to the unwary and so we pay close attention to our footing.
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A view from the
second floor corridor looking back at the wooden ladder. The doorway
entrance to the second floor chamber is visible near the left of the ladder.
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The second floor
chamber has a floor made of timber. The narrow slit windows allow in the
light
but make very difficult
targets from the outside of the castle while allowing defensive positions
from within.
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A defensive position
corridor runs along the outside wall of the second floor. Birds now
nest within the narrow slit windows once used to defend the castle.
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Once again we watch
our footing as we follow
the narrow stone
steps that wind their way up
to the third floor
of the castle.
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As we reach the
third floor chamber with it's timber flooring we look up to the concave
ceiling above.
This concave ceiling
made of stone is leveled out flat and then covered with flagstones on the
floor above,
in effect, making
the fourth floor above completely separate as well as fireproof.
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A few more stone
steps upwards and we come upon an unexpected site! We find a simple
stone privy, which empties down to the inlet for cleansing during high
tide.
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A few more steps
down the corridor from the privy we
come to the last
stone steps leading up to the
private chamber
of Granuaile.
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After nearly 500
years we can still feel the presence of this extraordinary woman and as
we finally enter
her private chamber
we do so with a sense of hushed awe. It is easy for us to imagine
the peat fire burning in the massive fireplace reflecting it's warmth and
light around the room, the flagstoned floors and rock walls
covered with tapestries
and plush sheepskin rugs..... the chamber full of the treasures of her
trade.
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Another view across
the room to a narrow slit window.
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A view up the narrow
stone steps from the chamber
leading up onto
the ramparts of the castle.
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Here we see the
entrance door to the private chamber as seen from within the chamber.
Next to the door
we see the gated entrance to the stone steps leading up to the ramparts.
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Standing within
the entrance to the private chamber we look down the narrow stone steps
leading down.
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