towerhouse

Could this group of well-dressed people be from the Congested Districts Board as Niall McAuley suggests? I was wondering that myself, but am unsure about the involvement of women... It would be a fantastic capture of CDB people in action. But they may just be tourists.

Interesting group watching the work, obviously visitors to the island. I took a look for photos of the actual CDB members, and there are a few in the nli archive, but they look maler and moustachier than this group:

flic.kr/p/4kiVY5 on flickr 2007

What a superb image! Never seen so many wooden barrels in one place
(nearly said 'plaice'!)!

Niall McAuley Yes, and there's a distinct lack of moustachiness in this group. Just one fine example of beardiness...

As one of those who likes them, I thank You greatly. I look forward to one day visiting Ireland, spurred on by wonderful images such as these! My eyes went immediately to that fellow, by the way. Such a wonderful image.

only1tanuki You're very welcome! Luring visitors to our shores is an unintended (but good) side effect of our work/play here... :)

maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,510295,700364,7,3 Ballynalackan???

Now a Country house hotel.

Ballinalacken Castle is a two-stage tower house of uncertain date but most likely built in the 15th or early 16th century. It is located on a limestone outcrop overlooking the road from Lisdoonvarna to Fanore in County Clare, Ireland in the grounds of Ballinalacken Castle Hotel which was built in 1840 as the home of Lord O'Brien. The name is taken from the townland where it is located, the original Irish version of which is Baile na Leacan, which means the town (land) of the flagstones

It looks as if it was inhabited at that stage, whenever that might have been!

Cloghleigh is a large tower house, generally typical of those in Munster, and it probably dates to the sixteenth century. It has distinctive rounded corners and a number of interesting horizontal loops. It is on the Teagasc farm at Moorepark and the interior was not accessible when last I visited it. Originally a castle of the Condons, it eventually passed to the Moores, who made repairs to it in the nineteenth century.

It has a bloody history, according to www.abandonedireland.com/Cloghleagh.html

maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,582644,601740,11,9

Quite good - youtu.be/sZPAGY5OotE?t=14m47s (from 14:48)