Ballymoon Castle () is a
National Monument
A national monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of importance to national heritage, such as a country's founding, independence, war, or the life and death of a historical figure. The term may also refer to a sp ...
situated east of
Bagenalstown
Bagenalstown ( ), officially named Muine Bheag (), is a small town on the River Barrow in County Carlow, Ireland.
History and name
In the eight century, Saint Lappan reputedly founded a monastic school outside Bagenalstown in the townland ...
,
County Carlow
County Carlow ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county located in the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region of Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Carlow is the List of Irish counties by area, second smallest and t ...
,
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.
Location and access
Ballymoon Castle is about east of Bagenalstown in a field next to the Fennagh road. The castle is accessible to the public, with access via a small wooden bridge over a ditch. Visitors can access the castle walls at ground level. Ballymoon Castle is a National Monument.
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Structure
The castle is in ruins and consists of a square courtyard about on each side, with high granite walls that are about wide at the base. The inside of the castle is open with an internal courtyard surrounded by the buildings, and the foundations show where the doors and fireplaces were positioned. The large double fireplace on the north side was part of the great hall. There are few traces of the interior structure apart from the foundations, although the remnants of some two storey structures can be seen built against the inside walls; 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
A barbican (from ) is a fortified outpost or fortified gateway, such as at an outer defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.
Europe
Medieval Europeans typically b ...
in front. A number of cross shaped gun loops and arrow slits can be seen in the castle walls.
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 Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk
Roger Bigod (c. 1245 – bf. 6 December 1306) was 5th Earl of Norfolk.
Origins
He was the son of Hugh Bigod (Justiciar), Hugh Bigod (1211–1266), Justiciar, and succeeded his father's elder brother Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk (1209â ...
, in the turbulent times, or by the Carew family, who acquired the land when Bigod died without issue.[ In the late 1800s, the castle was bought by Michael Sheill from Wexford who established a number of local businesses.]
See also
* List of National Monuments in County Carlow
References
{{Coord, 52.700, -6.907, region:IE_type:landmark, display=title
Castles in County Carlow
National monuments in County Carlow