Ballycowan Castle

Ballycowan Castle stands along the Grand Canal with four barrel-vaulted chambers on the ground floor and six visible chimney stacks reaching toward the sky.

The original structure, built in 1589 by Thomas Morres, replaced an O'Molloy tower house that burned down in 1557 on the same location.

The castle represents the architectural transition period when Irish nobles constructed fortified residences combining defensive features with residential comfort requirements.

Access to certain sections of the castle requires permission from the farmhouse owners, as portions of the structure stand within private agricultural land.

The arrangement of chimneys earned the castle its local nickname '3-2-1', with three stacks grouped together, two side by side, and one standing alone.

Location: Ballycowan

GPS coordinates: 53.27642,-7.55875

Latest update: April 3, 2025 11:15