Ballynahow Castle
Ballynahow Castle is a tower house and a National Monument in County Tipperary, Ireland.[1][2]
Ballynahow Castle | |
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Native name Irish: Caisleán Bhaile na hAbha | |
Type | tower house |
Location | Ballynahow, Ballycahill, County Tipperary, Ireland |
Coordinates | 52.693070°N 7.878118°W |
Elevation | 87 m (285 ft) |
Height | 15.2 m (50 ft) |
Built | c. 1500–1550 |
Architectural style(s) | Tower house |
Owner | Irish state |
National Monument of Ireland | |
Official name: Ballynahow Castle | |
Reference no. | 234 |
Location of Ballynahow Castle in Ireland |
Location
Ballynahow Castle is located 4.6 km (2.9 mi) west-northwest of Thurles, on the west bank of the Farneybridge River (a tributary of the River Suir).
History
Ballynahow Castle was built in the early 16th century by the Purcell family, an Old English family who held the title of Baron of Loughmoe. The lower floors were used in the 1840s as a cottage. The tower house was transferred to state ownership in 1930.[3]
The tower house
The tower house (caiseal) rises 15.2 m (50 ft) to the chemin de ronde, off which are four evenly spaced machicolations. It is five storeys tall with slit windows and large fireplaces on the second and fourth levels. A hole in the north wall on the fourth level leads to a secret chamber set into the walls.[4] Originally the top level was covered by a conical timber roof carried on squinches.[5]
References
- "Travelmania Ireland - Ballynahow Castle, County Tipperary".
- "Geograph:: Castles of Munster: Ballynahow,... (C) Mike Searle".
- "Ballynahow Castle, County Tipperary".
- "Ballynahow Castle".
- "Ballynahow Castle - Attractions - Historic Houses and Castles - All Ireland - Republic of Ireland - Tipperary - Thurles - Discover Ireland".