Ballymoon Castle

Ballymoon Castle is a National Monument situated convert|2|mi|km|0 east of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), County Carlow, Ireland, in a field adjacent to the Fennagh road (L33). It is accessed by a small bridge over a deep field ditch. Grid ref: S738615. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.cite web | title=Ballymoon Castle, County Carlow | work=IrelandsEye.com | url=http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/travel/attractions/castles/ballymc.shtm | accessdate=2008-10-08]

History

The castle has no recorded history, but on architectural grounds it may have been built around 1290-1310. The most likely builders were the Carew family, who by this time had acquired the area from the Bigods, Earls of Norfolk, or it may have been built by Roger Bigod himself. It dates to the early 14th century when it was a fortress and was occupied by the Knights Templar,cite web | title=Bagenalstown | work=Carlow Tourism | url=http://www.carlowtourism.com/mbagenalstown.html | accessdate=2008-10-08] although others dispute this, and consider it has been wrongly associated with the Knights Templar.cite web | title=Ballymoon Castle | work=Historic Ireland | url=http://www.historic-ireland.com/places/325.html | accessdate=2008-10-08] While some historians suggest that the castle was never completed, most records indicate it was built by Roger Bigod about the year 1300. [cite web | title=Ballymoon Castle, Bagenalstown | work=Carlow Tourism - Castles | url=http://www.carlowtourism.com/castles.html | accessdate=2007-12-10]

Features

The castle comprises a courtyard about convert|80|ft|m|1 square, with granite walls, convert|8|ft|m|1 thick and convert|20|ft|m|1 high. Oblong latrine turrets project from three of its faces; the fourth curtain wall on the western side has no such defence, though the gateway on this side, a plain arch with portcullis grooves, may have had a barbican in front. The interior is now bare, but the walls feature many embrasures, loops, fireplaces and doors. The double-fireplace on the north side belonged to the great hall, while features like the cross loops with expanded terminals and "Caernarvon arches" date the castle to the turn of the 13th century. The castle may not have been in use for very long and some argue that it was never actually finished. There is a square shaped high walled bawn within which is thought to have been internal buildings surrounding the inner courtyard. Originally there were two-storey structures built up against the inside walls. However, few traces of these remain, and local tradition explains this by saying that the castle was never finished.

References