Ballynalacken Castle

Map Reference: M103003 (1103, 2003)

I last visited Ballynalacken Castle in 1992 when the following notes were made. At that time the upper levels of the building were not accessible. Recently (June 2007) I received photographs of the castle from Simon Regan and I have been able to produce this web page. Thank you, Simon.



View from the east showing the entrance and the protecting machicolation

Ballynalacken Castle is a 15th century O Brien stronghold which sits on a large rock. It is in two sections. The higher section is possibly five storeys high and the lower section possibly four storeys with a gabled attic. The east entrance is through the taller section. There are bartizans in the middle of the west and north walls and a machicolation protects the doorway. The large entrance is through a short wide passage. A spiral stairway rises on the right and there is a guard-chamber on the left. Straight ahead is a large room. There is a half vault above the ground floor and a full vault above the first floor. There is a good base batter and a possible latrine-chute exit at the base of the south wall. There are good traces of a bawn wall around the edge of the rock and the gateway was protected by a bartizan.



View from the northwest showing the bartizans on the north and west walls



Fourth floor doorway in the tower leading to the staircase in the northeast corner



A ruined fireplace in the south wall at the second floor



A window opening with hanging eye at the fourth floor, east side



The spiral stairway in the northeast corner



View from the second floor showing the gable mark on the taller eastern section



A small north window at the ground floor



A small north window at the first floor



A wall cupboard at the ground floor, southwest corner



A fireplace dated 1644



The gateway to the bawn



View from the west

Two views from the south taken by E J Peiker





For details of some other Tower Houses click on the following links

Ballyportry, Co Clare Cratloemoyle, Co Clare Gleninagh, Co Clare Smithstown, Co Clare Ballinacarriga, Co Cork Carrickadroichid, Co Cork Dunmanus, Co Cork Buncrana, Co Donegal Audley’s Castle, Co Down Jordan’s Castle, Co Down Kilclief, Co Down Narrow Water, Co Down Dunsoghly, Co Dublin Ardamullivan, Co Galway Drumharsna, Co Galway Feartagar, Co Galway Lydacan, Co Galway Ballymalis, Co Kerry Ballybur, Co Kilkenny Burnchurch, Co Kilkenny Foulksrath, Co Kilkenny Rockstown, Co Limerick Castlerea, Co Longford Ardee, Co Louth Killincoole, Co Louth Dunmahon, Co Louth Roodstown, Co Louth Termonfeckin, Co Louth Kildavnet, Co Mayo Kinlough, Co Mayo Rockfleet, Co Mayo Donore, Co Meath Lynch’s Castle, Co Meath Clonony, Co Offaly Shrah, Co Offaly Ballyfinboy, Co Tipperary Ballyvada, Co Tipperary Grallagh, Co Tipperary Graystown, Co Tipperary Lisronagh, Co Tipperary Moycarkey, Co Tipperary Tombrickane, Co Tipperary Syonan, Co Westmeath Tyrrelspass, Co Westmeath Kilcloggan, Co Wexford Rathmacknee, Co Wexford Taghmon, Co Wexford Threecastles, Co Wicklow