Ardaloo Castle (in ruins) — Ardaloo

In the angle formed by the junction of the rivers Nore and Dinin. A broad high gravel ridge terminates a little before the river confluence. It slopes very steeply on its E and S side down to the river flood plain and rather more gently down to the Nore on the W. The upper and W side of the ridge is largely reclaimed pasture. From the top of the ridge there are very fine views in all directions. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 208), 'One hundred and ten yards north of the above church, is the castle of Ardaloo. The people say it was the residence of the monks attending the church. It is 37 ft. [c. 11.3m] by 30 ft. [c. 9m] externally. The north wall is 5 ft. [c. 1.5m] thick; the side walls, on which rested the stone arch over the first storey, are 8 [c. 2.4m] or 9 ft. [c. 2.7m] thick. The fragment now remaining has three very narrow loops, and is but 17 ft. high. A narrow passage, between two parallel walls, 30 yds. [c. 27.5m] long, runs south from the castle, connecting it, at the end, with other buildings, the foundations of which are yet visible'. The castle, depicted on the 1st (1839) 6-inch OS map and subsequent 1946-7 revision, is not visible at ground level. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 21 December 2016