Plary Monastery — Ballymore

The ruins of a 15th/16th century circular tower (WM024-182----) standing two storeys high but originally taller with wall footings of an adjoining building and possible bawncan be seen standing on top of a low rise of ground with good views in all directions. Medieval settlement (WM024-179----) of Ballymore with medieval church (WM024-005---) and graveyard (WM024-005001-) 175m and 450m to N respectively. Site of ‘Plary Monastery’ (WM024-034----) in field c. 150-200m to E. Present remains consist of a circular tower standing two storeys high the walls of which was constructed with coursed rubble limestone rising from a low protruding foundation plinth. The masonry of the external E face of the tower has been torn away where the walls of an adjoining building was attached. The S (H 1m; L 6.65m; wall T 0.9m) and E (H 0.6m; L 4.5m) walls of this adjoining building can be seen to the E of the upstanding tower. There are no visible remains of the N wall of this adjoining building. This building appears to have been one storey high as there are the remains of broken out window visible at first floor level in the E wall of the circular tower. The grass covered wall footings of a possible bawn (dims. c. 22m E-W) can be seen to the S (L 22m; wall T 0.8m; H 0.3m) and E (L 4.65m) of the tower and adjoining building. A gap (Wth 1.9m) in the S wall of this possible bawn may represent the entrance or gateway into the bawn of the castle. There is no evidence for the wall footings of the bawn on the N or W side of the circular tower. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 August 2014