Moydrum Castle

Republic of Ireland, Ireland

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Moydrum Castle is a striking Gothic Revival castle ruin located near Athlone in County Westmeath, Ireland.

It was built in the early 19th century for the Handcock family, who had been major landowners in the area since the Cromwellian period, and was designed by the renowned architect Richard Morrison. Completed in 1814, the castle served as the grand residence of the Lords Castlemaine and was surrounded by extensive parkland and lakeside scenery.

Its impressive towers, battlements, and romantic Gothic design made it one of the region’s most notable country houses. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1921 during the Irish War of Independence and has remained a picturesque ruin ever since. Today, its ivy-covered walls are a well-known local landmark, and the castle gained international recognition after its image inspired the artwork associated with U2’s 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire.