What is recorded here

Arthur Synnott held a castle at Ballymore when the Civil Survey recorded his name beside it, yet no marker remains to show where its walls stood. It may still hide beneath the moated earth at WX033-012, waiting for a shovel or a storm to reveal its bones. If not, the castle vanished entirely, leaving only a line in a survey and a ghost of ownership in Wexford soil.

According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Arthur Synnott owned a castle at Ballymore, as well as 424 acres in Screen parish (Simington 1953, 60, 78), and a castle at Ballymore is represented on the Down Survey map (1656-8). The castle may be the moated site (WX033-012----), but if not, it is unlocated. See the attached section from the Down Survey (1656-8) parish map (N at top) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 September, 2012 Amended: 14 February, 2014

Arthur Synnott held a castle at Ballymore in the mid-17th century, as recorded in the Civil Survey (1654–56) and the Down Survey (1656–58). The site is significant as it provides evidence of landownership and fortification in the Screen parish area during the post-Turnbull period of Ulster plantation.

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