Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeCastle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
- StatusNational Monument
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Full archaeological record 33 words
The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
References
- National Monument No. 351. Late thirteenth-century fortress consisting of rectangular court (c. 43m N-S, c. 46m E-W) enclosed by poorly defended curtain walls with double-towered gatehouse at centre of S wall. Low square towers on NE and SW angles and foundations of small square structure inside NW angle. Walls of squared granite bocks, irregularly coursed and enclosed by fosse (uncovered during excavations in 1955 (JRSAI 1962, 7). Rectangular gatehouse with two circular towers of three storeys flanking arched entranceway. Stairwells in wall thickness and machicolation over entrance to towers at second floor level. Small rectangular tower on NE angle, also excavated by de Paor. Of thirteenth-century date, reconstructed as cottage in eighteenth century. The SW angle tower (int. dims. 6m x 5.6m) has two storeys and has intermural passages and chambers. (JRSAI 1962, 1-14; Leask 1973, 72)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 July 2007. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
More castles nearby
Visitor site National MonumentBallymoon Castle
Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle · Ballymoon · Carlow · 3.1 km away
Visitor siteGarryhill House
Castle - unclassified · Garryhill · Carlow · 3.4 km away

Rathnageeragh Castle
Castle - unclassified · Rathnageeragh · Carlow · 5.4 km away
Visitor site National MonumentLeighlinbridge Castle
Castle - tower house · Leighlinbridge · Carlow · 8.8 km away
Drumroe Castle
Castle - unclassified · Mountloftus · Kilkenny · 9.6 km away

Ballyshanemore Castle
Castle - tower house · Gowran Demesne · Kilkenny · 13 km away
Visitors' notes
Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.
Best time to visit
What's missing on this page?
Share a tip to find it
Share a local tradition or story
Suggest a correction
Suggest the right map location
Report a duplicate page
Ask a question
Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.
Around Ballyloughan Castle
Other heritage nearby
- Lorum High CrossHigh cross · 2.5 km
- St. Bridget's WellHoly well · 4.1 km
- Killoughternane ChurchAncient church · 5.3 km
- St. Fortchern's WellHoly well · 5.3 km
- portal tomb of KilgraneyMegalithic tomb · 5.5 km
- Wells ChurchAncient church · 6.7 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 hillfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 megalithic tombArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- The Columban Way - Nine Stones to MaganyPilgrim Path · 50.2 km · nearest point 1.8 km
- Barrow WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 117.0 km · nearest point 5.7 km
- The Columban Way - St Mullins Feeder (River Route)Pilgrim Path · 30.9 km · nearest point 6.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- KilbrannishForests · 9.9 km
- ClogrennanForests · 15 km
- LeighlinbridgeWalled towns · 8.8 km
- Old LeighlinWalled towns · 11 km
Other attractions nearby
- Ballymoon CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.1 km
- Garryhill HouseHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.4 km
- KilloughternaneHistoric Houses and Castle · 5.3 km
- Adelaide Memorial ChurchAbbeys and Monastery · 8.2 km
What's on nearby
- Derek Ryan - Songwriter Show2026-11-08 · 18 km
- Autumn / Winter Cinemas at VISUAL2026-12-22 · 18 km


