Castle (in ruins)

Situated on a prominent hill overlooking the coast. Described by Austin Cooper in 1783 as a quadrangular court flanked by four towers attached to the west end of Baldongan church (DU005-037001) (Anon.1914, 250). It was illustrated in the 18th-century for Grosse's Antiquities of Ireland (ibid) and had a similar plan to St. John's Priory, Newtown, Trim Co. Meath, which belonged to the Fratres Cruciferi (Sweetman 1991, 88-104). the last remains were removed in 1975. Traditionally associated with the Knights Templars (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 325). It was the family seat of the Birminghams and the Barnewalls until the sixteenth century when it passed to the Lords of Howth (D'Alton, 1976 (2nd ed) 225; Healy 1975, 18). Site now traversed by pathway to Baldongan church within an arable field. There are no visible remains. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 15 November 2014

Built by the de Burgos in the 13th century, Castle Baldongan was strategically positioned to control the surrounding coastal area and was linked to the nearby church. It is remembered for its historical association with the Anglo-Norman colonization of Meath and its rare quadrangular design.