Ballylahan Castle
| Ballylahan Castle | |
|
County Mayo | |
|---|---|
 Ballylahan Castle | |
| Type: | tower house |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | M27499888 |
| Location: | 53°56’4"N, 9°6’18"W |
| History | |
| Built 1239 | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Heritage Ireland |
Ballylahan Castle is a shattered tower house in County Mayo. It is listed as a National Monument.
The castle is to be found a mile and a half northeast of Strade, on the south bank of the River Moy.[1]
History
This castle was constructed in 1239 by Jordan de Exeter, Sheriff of Connaught and was the ancient seat of the Mac Siúrtáin (MacJordans).[2][3]
The castle came under attack in 1316 by the King of Connaught, Fedlim Ó Conchobair and was almost destroyed.[4][5]
Building
The main entrance was in the east and it was flanked by two circular towers, of which only one remains. The entrance gives access to an irregular hexagonal bawn. There is evidence of buildings particularly against the western wall. The bawn has some good base-batter, particularly at the northwest corner.[6][7]
References
- ↑ "Antiquities" (PDF). http://www.mayolibrary.ie/en/LocalStudies/IrishTouristAssociationSurvey/Templemore/Antiquities/PDFDocument,19176,en.pdf. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ↑ "Ballylahan Castle – Straide Parish". http://www.straideparish.com/?page_id=5130.
- ↑ "JORDAN'S OF MAYO: HISTORY". http://peterjordan.castlebar.ie/jordan.htm.
- ↑ "Ballylahan Castle Co Mayo". http://irelandinruins.blogspot.ie/2015/09/ballylahan-castle-co-mayo.html.
- ↑ Bigari, Angelo Maria (12 May 1964). Castle of Ballylaghan, Co. Mayo. http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/18862. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ↑ McNeill, T. E. (18 August 2005). "Castles in Ireland: Feudal Power in a Gaelic World". Routledge. p. 256. https://books.google.ie/books?id=H8uEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA256&dq=Ballylahan%20Castle&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWirLI3JTQAhWHK8AKHVQkATwQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=Ballylahan%20Castle&f=false.
- ↑ "Ballylahan Castle". http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/mayo/ballylahan/ballylahan.html.
- Guide through Ireland - James Fraser, page 486 (via Google Books)
- A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland – Samuel Lewis, 1837; page 609 (via Google Books)</ref>