Ballymoon Castle

Ballymoon Castle
Ballymoon Castle
Location	2 miles (3 km) east of Muine Bheag, County Carlow, Ireland
Built	c. 1290-1310
Architect	Roger Bigod
National monument of Ireland
Reference no.	486

Ballymoon Castle is a National Monument situated 2 miles (3 km) east of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), County Carlow, Ireland. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.

Location

East of Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland

Description

Ballymoon Castle is about 2 miles (3 km) east of Bagenalstown in a field next to the Fennagh road.

The castle is in ruins and consists of a square courtyard about 80 feet (24 m) on each side, with 20-foot (6.1 m) high granite walls that are about 8 feet (2.4 m) wide at the base. The inside of the castle is open, but the walls show where the doors and fireplaces were positioned. The large double fireplace on the north side was part of the great hall. There are no traces of the interior structure of the castle apart from the foundations, and this has led to speculation that the castle was never completed. The wall on the western side has an arched gateway. Portcullis grooves can be seen on the gateway, and there may have been a barbican in front. A number of cross shaped gun loops and arrow slits can be seen in the castle walls.

Facilities

The castle is accessible to the public, with access via a small wooden bridge over a ditch. Visitors can explore the castle walls at ground level. Ballymoon Castle is now a National Monument.

History

Ballymoon Castle is thought to have been built in the 13th century or early 14th century. Much of the history has been lost, but it is thought to have been built by the Bigod family, or by the Carew family, who acquired the land from the Bigods. In the late 1800s the castle was bought by Michael Sheill from Wexford who established a number of local businesses.