Ballagh Castle (in Ruins)

A Fitzpatrick castle (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 350) (max. ext. dims. 11.25m NE-SW, 9.3m NW-SE; wall T 2.4m) five storeys high with dressed quoins and a slight base-batter. Bartizan on E angle and machicolation on NW and SW walls at third floor level. Windows consist mainly of simple slits and some two-light ogee-headed opes. The doorway in SW wall has yett holes and a two-centered arch of limestone blocks which are hammer-dressed with fine drafting and chamfered. This doorway leads into an entrance lobby which is protected by a cross loop in NE wall. A further lobby immediately to SE gives access to main ground-floor chamber and stairwell in S angle. Reference to sundials on ten steps of stairs which decreased in size from the upper to the lower stair (JRSAI 1867, 4-5). There is no barrel vault. Mural passages in NW wall at first and second floor level, and rectangular chambers on each floor level directly above entrance way. Fireplaces on second floor in SE wall, and on third floor in NW wall. Possible bawn area indicated by earthworks to SW of tower house. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Built by the Fitzpatrick family, Ballagh Castle dates to the late medieval period, likely 15th or 16th century. It is remembered as a notable example of a multi-storey defensive tower house in the region, reflecting the strategic and social roles of Gaelic lordships in Ireland.