Castlegar is a village and electoral division in County Galway, just outside the city of Galway, in Ireland. Castlegar is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. It extends from Lough Corrib across to Merlin Park by the old Galway-Dublin road. The eponymous Castlegar Castle, a 15th or 16th century tower house, is historically associated with the Burke (de Burgo) family. Castlegar GAA club is based in the area.

History

The name Castlegar is derived from the Irish Caisleán Gearr, meaning "short castle". The small Castlegar Castle, in the middle of the parish, was built by Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde (1572–1635) of Portumna Castle. The castle at Castlegar was a four-storey tower house, now in ruin, which was used as a "guest" castle for the Blake family's Menlo Castle.

Irish language

As of 2006, the electoral division of Castlegar (Castlegar ED) had a population of over 1,000 people, of whom 11% spoke Irish daily.

Castles

Castles in the area include:

Villages and townlands

Villages and townlands in the ecclesiastical parish of Castlegar include:

Notable people