Why this matters
Ballindooley Castle was held by 'Redmud Reogh' in 1574 and is thought to have been built by a local Gaelic family in the late medieval period. It is important as a well-preserved example of a 16th-century Irish defensive structure.
What is recorded here
On E verge of modern road (the older road lay further to W) overlooking Ballindooly Lough to SE. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Redmud Reogh' (Nolan 1901, 115). Well-preserved rectangular four-storey tower (L 10.95m, Wth 9m). A pointed-arch doorway of two orders (now robbed) is centrally placed in SE wall: this opens into a lobby with murder-hole above and spiral stairs in E corner. The ground, 1st and 2nd floors are comprised of a main chamber with a subsidiary one to SE. A stone vault exists between 2nd/3rd floors and there is a fireplace in SW wall on 1st floor. An enclosed latrine gallery runs along SE side of the main chamber between lst/2nd floors. There are also latrines on 1st and 3rd floors off the main chambers. That on 3rd gives access, via a trapdoor, to a concealed chamber below it in the thickness of the arch. Only the base of the parapet survives. Twin-light windows on 3rd floor are set in semicircular embrasures with finely decorated soffits. Apart from the latter, all the windows are single-lights with ogee, circular and flat heads. (Athy 1914, 166-71; O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 1, 329, 331)
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993).
Date of upload: 05 August 2010
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