Castle

Situated at the N end of Baltinglass town close to Baltinglass Abbey. The 'abbot's castle' was demolished in 1882 to provide materials for the building of the rectory, which is adjacent to Baltinglass abbey (WI027-024001-). Foundations of the E end of the S wall are visible under the existing garden wall. A possible SE angle tower is indicated by the shape of the wall. It is of roughly coursed limestone, and the foundations are over 1m thick. Fitzgerald includes a print of a painting showing what appears to be a three- or four-storey tower house with windows with hood-mouldings, and a possibly later house built onto it. (Fitzgerald 1906-8, 397; Stalley 1987, 242) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

Built as the 'abbot's castle' associated with Baltinglass Abbey, it was held by the Cistercian abbots of the 13th century. The castle was demolished in 1882, reflecting the historical and architectural connections between monastic institutions and local power in medieval Ireland.