Ballintlea Castle

Ballintlea Castle, County Clare
Photo © Liam, 16 November 2006

Castles

Cratloe is the location of several ruined castles and tower houses, the most notable being Cratloemoyle Castle (sometimes referred to as 'Cratloe Castle'), located just to the north of the N18 road on the approach to Limerick. Less than half a mile away, on the opposite side of the road, Cratloekeel Castle sits on a low outcrop, and can be just discerned from the road through the surrounding trees. Further south, on the banks of the River Shannon, is the site of Castle Donnell or Cratloemore Castle, though little is left of the ruins. On the western slopes of Woodcock Hill, toward Sixmilebridge the ruins of Ballintlea Castle lie in a farmyard. All four of these castles are recorded as being built by the MacNamara clan.

Ballintlea Castle is in a very bad state. The back wall is completely missing. The ground floor room is full of farm machinery. The first floor room can only be reached by a slightly risky scramble up the crumbling castle wall. All that remains in this room is one window and a fireplace. The second floor room is still there, however, it is inaccessible.