What is recorded here

Ballinakill Castle rose five storeys above the undulating countryside between 1606 and 1612, its pink shaley walls and limestone quoins built to withstand the storms of a changing kingdom. Preston’s Confederate forces took it in 1642, only for Cromwellian armies to batter it from a neighbouring hill until the brave garrison could no longer hold the line. The Dunne family later erected another castle in 1680, yet local tradition claims it never housed a single soul, leaving the original ruins to keep the only true memory of the place.

Constructed by Sir Thomas Ridgeway between 1606 and 1612. It was taken by the Confederate forces under Preston in 1642 and taken by the Cromwellian forces afterwards and it was destroyed. Situated in undulating countryside. Another castle was constructed by the Dunne family in 1680 which according to local tradition was never inhabited (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 233-234). From a nineteenth century photograph of the castle it is clear that originally the castle was five storeys high (Bradley et. al. 1986, 15). Current remains of the N gable (L c. 5.3m) surviving three storeys high constructed of roughly coursed pink shaley stone with dressed limestone quoins and remains of short returns on the E and W sides. Two gun loops visible on the ground and first floor and large window on the second floor. NW of the tower house is a round arch which may have been the original gateway into the bawn (Bradley et. al. 1986, 15). Remains of original bawn (LA030-018005-) wall attached to the external face of the W wall. Described in the OS letters as 'The ruins of a castle yet remain, which was battered by Fairfax from a hill adjoining Heywood Demesne and bravely defended by the garrison. The ruins of the old castle are still visible at the town and a short distance from the town lies a burial ground with the vestiges of a Church, which gave name to the T.L. in which it stood being called Cill Cronain, which means the Church of St. Cronan. Ballinkillin and Kilcroennnen (Kilcroannen) appear marked on the Engraved Map of the Down Survey' (O'Flanagan 1933 vol. 2, 84-5). All Saints church and graveyard (LA030-018003-) is situated 233m to the NW of the castle. In 1642 the castle was described as 'seated among woods in a place soe watered with springs as afforded the Earle convenience to make many fish ponds neare the Castle hee built there; which hee likewise fortified with a strong wall, and that with turrets and flankers; besides that the towne since it had been planted was well inhabited, the iron mill there kept many lustie men at work' (Feehan 1983, 377). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Built by Sir Thomas Ridgeway between 1606 and 1612, Ballinakill Castle was a key stronghold during the Irish Confederate Wars, changing hands between Confederate and Cromwellian forces in the 1640s before being destroyed. Its remains are a significant historical site reflecting the turbulence of 17th-century Ireland.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.