Ireland’s historic castles are among the most recognisable features of its landscape, yet many of these remarkable structures are vulnerable to the passage of time, weather, neglect, and changing land use. This year’s Heritage Week theme, Heritage at Risk, invites us to reflect on the importance of recognising, recording, and valuing the places that connect us to our past before they are lost.
Ekaterina Ivanova’s passion for Ireland’s built heritage led her to begin a photographic and written diary of castles and historic sites. Many of these sites are overlooked in everyday life, yet they form an important part of Irish heritage.
Hidden Ireland exhibition returns to Thoor Ballylee with the support of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society. 12 ruined castles across County Galway have been selected, highlighting not only their individual stories but also the importance of recording and appreciating heritage that may be at risk of disappearing from the landscape. Together, they illustrate both the richness of Galway’s medieval heritage and the challenges facing many historic structures today.
Visit Thoor Ballylee to discover twelve hidden castles of County Galway and explore the stories they continue to tell, even as time leaves its mark upon them.
