Ballylough Castle
| Ballylough Castle | |
|
County Antrim | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Castle |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | C95003794 |
| Location: | 55°10’47"N, 6°30’34"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Bare ruins |
Ballylough Castle is a ruined castle in County Antrim that was a stronghold of the MacQuillans and the MacDonnells in former times. It is found close to the Giant's Causeway.[1]
The castle has long since fallen into ruin and largely disappeared. Part of the old structure is still visible in the rear of Ballylough House, but the lough from which the townland, and thence the castle, takes its name has disappeared. At the Belfast Field Naturalists' Club of 1882, there was a discussion of a then recent review of a crannóg at Ballylough.[2]
Castle
Ballylough Castle was once a stronghold of the MacQuillans and the MacDonnells.[3] This castle is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1544, as Baile-an-locha.[1]
The castle was taken by the O'Donnells, who took arms, armour, brass, iron, butter, and provisions.[4] In 1624, the Earl of Antrim (Chief of the MacDonnell clan) reportedly "granted the 120 acres of Ballylough with the 120 acres of Ballintoy to Archibald Stewart and in 1625 the Earl granted 100 acres at Ballylough Beg to Walter Kennedy".[5]
Two chests from a Spanish ship of the Armada were kept by the Earl's family at Ballylough before being moving to Glenarm Castle around 1740.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hill, George: 'An historical account of the Macdonnells of Antrim: including notices of some other septs, Irish and Scottish' (1873) page 425
- ↑ Walford, Edward; Cox, John Charles; Apperson, George Latimer: 'The Antiquary' (Elliot Stock, 1882) pages 76–
- ↑ Forde, Hugh: 'Round the coast of Northern Ireland: Antrim Derry, and Down' (R. Carswell, 1928)
- ↑ Ulster journal of archaeology. 1860. p. 254. https://books.google.com/books?id=RV8NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA254. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
- ↑ Ulster Journal of Archaeology: Ulster Archaeological Society, 1984