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 spec ...
situated east of
Muine Bheag
Bagenalstown ( ), officially named Muine Bheag (), is a small town on the River Barrow in County Carlow, Ireland.
History and name
The town grew within the townland of Moneybeg, from Irish ''Muine Bheag'' or ''Muinebheag'' (meaning "small th ...
(Bagenalstown),
County Carlow
County Carlow ( ; ga, Contae Cheatharlach) is a county located in the South-East Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. Carlow is the second smallest and the third least populous of Ireland's 32 traditional counties. Carlow Cou ...
,
Ireland. 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 fro, barbacane) is a fortified outpost or fortified gateway, such as at an outer fortifications, defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.
Europe ...
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 (1211–1266), Justiciar, and succeeded his father's elder brother Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk (1209–1270) as 5th Earl of ...
, 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
The Irish state has officially approved the following List of National Monuments in County Carlow. In the Republic of Ireland, a structure or site may be deemed to be a "National Monument", and therefore worthy of state protection, if it is of ...
References
{{Coord, 52.700, -6.907, region:IE_type:landmark, display=title
Castles in County Carlow
National Monuments in County Carlow