Ballymoon Castle
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| Ballymoon Castle | |
|---|---|
| Native name Caisleán Baile Muáin (Irish) | |
 Ballymoon Castle | |
 | |
| Location | 2 miles (3 km) east of Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland |
| Built | c. 1290–1310 |
| Architect | Roger Bigod |
| Official name | Ballymoon Castle |
| Reference no. | 486[1] |
Ballymoon Castle (Irish: Caisleán Baile Muáin) is a National Monument situated 2 miles (3 km) east of Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.
Ballymoon Castle is about 2 miles (3 km) 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.[1]
Structure
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 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 in front. A number of cross shaped gun loops and arrow slits can be seen in the castle walls.[2][3]
