Ballymoon Castle is a National Monument situated 2 miles (3 km) east of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), County Carlow, Ireland, in a field adjacent to the Fennagh road (L33). It is accessed by a small bridge over a deep field ditch. Grid ref: S738615. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.
The castle has no recorded history, but on architectural grounds it may have been built around 1290-1310. The most likely builders were the Carew family, who by this time had acquired the area from the Bigods, Earls of Norfolk, or it may have been built by Roger Bigod himself. It dates to the early 14th century when it was a fortress and was occupied by the Knights Templar, although others dispute this, and consider it has been wrongly associated with the Knights Templar. While some historians suggest that the castle was never completed, most records indicate it was built by Roger Bigod about the year 1300.
The castle comprises a courtyard about 80 feet (24.4 m) square, with granite walls, 8 feet (2.4 m) thick and 20 feet (6.1 m) high. Oblong latrine turrets project from three of its faces; the fourth curtain wall on the western side has no such defence, though the gateway on this side, a plain arch with portcullis grooves, may have had a barbican in front. The interior is now bare, but the walls feature many embrasures, loops, fireplaces and doors. The double-fireplace on the north side belonged to the great hall, while features like the cross loops with expanded terminals and "Caernarvon arches" date the castle to the turn of the 13th century. The castle may not have been in use for very long and some argue that it was never actually finished. There is a square shaped high walled bawn within which is thought to have been internal buildings surrounding the inner courtyard. Originally there were two-storey structures built up against the inside walls. However, few traces of these remain, and local tradition explains this by saying that the castle was never finished. In the late 19th century the castle was part of a farm purchased by Michael Sheill who came from Wexford and started the local grocery, hardware, butchery etc. The business was expanded by Michael Sheill's only son John.
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