What is recorded here

Ballagh Castle in County Laois, Ireland, concealed a strange sundial across ten descending stairs. Each step carried a semi-circle marker, shrinking slightly as the walker went lower, turning an ordinary descent into a measured journey through daylight. The castle has vanished without visible remains, but that hidden gradient still suggests a building designed to make time visible beneath its own floors.

There was a sundial on ten steps of the stairs in Ballagh Castle (LA033-002001-), descreasing in size as one descended the stairs. They were semi circles (JRSAI 1867, 4-5). There are no visible surface remains. 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

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.