Ballymoon is a lovely off the beaten track site that you can explore at your own leisure. If you like this castle be sure to check our Kells Priory in Kilkenny(GC62HQ0)
What remains of the castle is a square outer wall roughly 24m x 24m and 6m high. What is immediately striking about this castle is the high number of garderobes and fireplaces which suggest that this castle was not only military but about comfort. It is local legend that this castle was never finished and therefore never used. Although there is no reliable historical source for this the physical remains seem to indicate that this is the case. None of the inner building of the castle exist above the foundation level and considering the good condition of the outer wall it would appear that these were never built. One thing to always remember about these sites is that they do not exist within a vacuum but relate to and are largely shaped by the larger world. At the time the castle was built (shortly before 1300) Europe was entering a massive economic breakdown and recession following the collapse of many Italian banks and although a connection is impossible to make here I wonder if the effects of this recession were felt in Ireland and stopped the work on this castle.
Parking spot below
