Dunguaire Castle is a restored fortified tower house, originally built by the Hynes Clanin 1520. It takes its name from the legendary King of Connacht, ‘Dun of King Guaire’, who had his royal palace on the site in the 6th century. Ownership passed to the Martyn clan in the 17th century. They kept it until 1924, when it was purchased by Oliver St. John Gogarty, a well known surgeon and writer.

He began restoration of the castle, which later became a meeting place for other famed writers, during the Irish literary renaissance.