Ballyknockan Castle (in Ruins) — Ballyknockan

Owned by Sir Thomas Colclough in 1598 (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 284). In low-lying area. Standing remains of lower portions of N wall (L c. 7.9m) and E wall (L 8.6m) built of rubble limestone. A N-S barrel vault with wicker-centring survives over the ground floor. Entrance in N wall and garderobe in SE angle. Remains of mural passage in n wall and possible evidence of stairway in NE angle. Site visited by Michael Moore on the 30-05-1994 and described as a Tower House (ext. dims. 8.7m N-S x 8m E-W) situated on a slight rise in low flat land with good views beyond the road to E and S. This was a small tower house made of roughly coursed rubble, no quoins or decorated stones survive. There is a base-batter, only portions of the N, E and S walls survive to a max. H of c. 4m. There is a break in the n wall but a relieving arch probably over a doorway survives. There was a passage in the N wall and at the NE angle it widens out as if it was becoming a spiral stairs. The ground floor chamber (int. dims. 4.4m N-S) had a N-S barrel vaulted roof. There was a small alcove in the SE angle and an embrasure in the E wall that was probably adapted and converted into an entrance (Wth 1.55m). Near the castle there is a stream running W and S and 22m N of the castle there is a fosse or old trackway (Wth 8m; D 0.3-0.5m) running E-W. Immediately SE of this track there is a small enclosure (dims. 41m E-W x 55mm N-S) defined by a field bank and outer fosse which are likely to be of eighteenth or nineteenth century in date. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007