This year marks the 50th anniversary of Aughnanure Castle being open to the public – and to mark this milestone, the Office of Public Works is planning an event later in the year to celebrate this special occasion.

In preparation for this event, the OPW is asking the public to provide any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure or the O’Flahertys that you may have.

Aughnanure Castle was gifted to the Office of Public Works from Peadar O’Flaherty in 1952 for preservation as a National Monument.

By the early 1960s, the painstaking restoration had begun, involving the use of traditional techniques and specialist conservation, before finally being opened to the public in 1974.

Today Aughnanure Castle remains a striking silhouette on the shores of the Drimneen River, welcoming thousands of visitors from all corners of the world.

Over the last number of years, the OPW have been delving into the archives, in search of the missing pieces of information on Aughnanure and the O’Flahertys.

Access to archival material, pre-restoration photography, antiquarian accounts, historical maps and plans has produced exciting new knowledge that has provided answers to many questions.

This important research is to provide the public with the most complete interpretation of the site possible.

However, a spokesperson admitted, many research questions still remain unanswered.

“We are hoping that with your help, we can find these vital missing pieces that will help us to present a refreshed programme of interpretation that has the potential to significantly enrich the current understanding of the site to the public,” they said.

“We are now asking you for any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure or the O’Flahertys.

“Perhaps you visited the castle and have photos, or someone you know has photos. Maybe you heard a story about the O’Flahertys. We want to know! If you have any information, we would love to hear about it,” they added.

You can call in to talk to staff at the castle or email aughnanurecastle@opw.ie.

Pictured: Aughnanure Castle outside Oughterard.