Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeCastle - tower house
- StatusNational Monument
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Visiting
- Promoted as a visitor attraction by Fáilte Ireland (opening times not confirmed here).Fáilte Ireland · official page
Opening times and fees change: check with the operator before you go.
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. 438. Known as 'Black Castle'. Constructed in 1320 to defend bridge (CW012-070002-) and possibly comtemporary in original construction. Present remains appear to be chiefly of sixteenth-century date and consist of rectangular structure (collapsed SE corner) with barrel vault over ground floor and attic, with one floor above, situated on E bank of River Barrow. Entrance in E wall, protected by machicolation and murder hole in window seat, leads to mural staircase giving access to attic floor and spiral staircase above vault. Two small chambers in curtains of vault. Bawn at N and W. Wall walks are covered on N and S walls, and open with crennelations on E and W walls, with corbelled chamber over stair turret at NE angle. Narrow opes with window seats in N, S and W walls. (Bradley 1989, 36-8)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 July 2007. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
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Visitor siteGarryhill House
Castle - unclassified · Garryhill · Carlow · 11 km away
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Around Leighlinbridge Castle
Other heritage nearby
- Ballyknockan ChurchAncient church · 0.4 km
- St Patrick's WellHoly well · 1.2 km
- St Laserian's WellHoly well · 3.4 km
- St Bridget's WellHoly well · 3.6 km
- Wells ChurchAncient church · 4.7 km
- Nurney CrossHigh cross · 4.7 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 12 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- The Columban Way - Nine Stones to MaganyPilgrim Path · 50.2 km · nearest point 1.8 km
- Clogrennane Wood LoopWalking Trail · 2.4 km · nearest point 6.6 km
- Muckalee LoopWalking Trail · nearest point 13 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- ClogrennanForests · 6.6 km
- LeighlinbridgeWalled towns · 0.0 km
- Old LeighlinWalled towns · 3.1 km
Other attractions nearby
- Leighlinbridge - Garden VillageGardens · 0.4 km
- St Laserian's CathedralAbbeys and Monastery · 3.2 km
- Ballymoon CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.2 km
- Garryhill HouseHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km
What's on nearby
- Derek Ryan - Songwriter Show2026-11-08 · 12 km
- Autumn / Winter Cinemas at VISUAL2026-12-22 · 12 km


