Ballymoon Castle

Ballymoon Castle

 

Location: 2 miles (3 km) East of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown) Map

Constructed: 13th century

 

Description of Ballymoon Castle

Ballymoon Castle is a ruined medieval castle located 2 miles (3 km) East of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown). Built at the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century, probably by a Carew family, the building still consists of a yard about 25 meters long and just as wide, surrounded by walls of unhardened granite stones. These outer walls are about 6 meters high and up to 2.50 meters wide. On three sides of the courtyard there are watchtowers, while the fourth side reveals a gate with grooves for a portcullis. Although the outer walls reveal a series of loopholes, windows and the location of the chimneys, only part of the foundation remains inside the building. The position of the windows and chimneys on the outer wall shows that it must have been a two-story building. The foundations inside, however, suggest that the construction was never completed. The ruin can be visited today and is registered as a National Monument. The castle is open to the public, with access by a small wooden bridge over a moat. Visitors can explore the castle walls at ground level.

 

History

Built at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century, probably by a Carew family, the building still consists of a courtyard about 25 meters long and just as wide, which is surrounded by walls made of unhewn granite stones. These outer walls are about 6 meters high and up to 2.50 meters wide. There are watchtowers on three sides of the courtyard, while the fourth side reveals a gate with grooves for a portcullis. Although the outer walls reveal a number of loopholes, windows and the locations of chimneys, only part of the foundation remains of the rooms within the building. The position of the windows and chimneys on the outer wall shows that it must have been a two-storey building. However, the foundations inside suggest that construction was never quite completed. The ruin can be visited today and is registered as a national monument.

Nearby is Donore Megalithic Tomb.