Ballymalis Castle

Map Reference: V840939 (0840, 0939)



This is a fine tower-house which has been partly restored. It is a rectangular building of four storeys and an attic in the gable. Tradition says that it was built in the 16th century by the O'Moriartys but it was probably built be the Ferrises. It features two wall bartizans at the SW and NE corners.



In the west wall is a latrine chute exit and, at roof level, the remains of a machicolation. The top floor room has three-light mullioned and transomed windows in the north and south walls. The window in the north wall has fine decoration on the outside.



The floor below has two-light mullioned windows and all other windows are single-light. The doorway is in the east and is protected by a machicolation (remains only) at roof level.



To the right of the doorway are remains of a small chamber above which are two more rooms. There is a vault above the upper room. To the left is the entrance to the ground floor room and a spiral stairway rises is the south east corner. There are fireplaces at the first and second floors. At the corners of the second floor room are the entrances to the wall bartizans.



The stonework at these doorways has pecked decoration. The doorway from the stairway to the third floor room has very fine pecked decoration. Apart from the two large windows this room has two smaller windows and a fireplace. The large windows are set within deep round-headed recesses. Overrestoration is evident in the amount of concrete visible particularly around some of the window opening and the fireplaces.



The stairway is lit by small lights and there are traces of slopstones. All of these windows have hinge stones for shutters. The stairway rises to roof level where traces of the gable remain. There are also some fragments of the allure.







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

Ballynalacken, Co Clare 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 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