Bastioned fort in Ballowen OR Ramsfort Park,ballytegan Park,goreyhill

Thomas Ram, the Protestant Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, moved the centre of the diocese from Ferns to Gorey in 1620, and he was buried in Gorey in 1634 (Loeber, Stouthamer-Loeber 1987, 199). His son, Abel Ram, had 100 acres at Goriebegg and Ballowen, now probably Ramsfort, where there was 'fort in repair', and a decayed mill according to the Civil Survey (1654-6) (Simington 1953, 17). Abel also had 400 acres at Hill of Gorie (Goreyhill) and Tomready, now probably Ramstown Upper and Lower (ibid.). A subrectangular fort, defined by what is proabably a wide fosse or rampart, is depicted on the Down Survey parish map (1656-8) of Kilmakilloge, S and W of Gorey town. This suggests that it might be on Goreyhill, which would be a suitable location overlooking the town to the NE. However, the location of the fort is not known, and it might well be on the site of the early 19th century Ramsfort House at Ballyteganpark, which is on the site of an older house and N of the town. For the Down Survey parish map see this web-page accessed on 14 May, 2014. http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/down-survey-maps.php#bm=Gorey&c=Wexford&p=Liskin+Kilmclogue+Kiltinen+and+Toome Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 1 March, 2012 Amended: 24 January, 2014; 14 May, 2014

A bastioned fort in the Ballowen area, possibly associated with the early medieval period, is located near Goreyhill and may have been part of the broader historical landscape influenced by the Ram family. Local tradition and historical context suggest possible links to the 17th-century Ram family, though the fort itself likely dates to the early medieval era and may have later been incorporated into or renamed in connection with the family's estate.