Ballycowan Castle, Medieval castle in County Offaly, Ireland
Description
Ballycowan Castle stands beside a canal and features four barrel-vaulted chambers on its ground floor. The structure is topped by six visible chimney stacks that rise prominently from the roofline.
History
Thomas Morres built this castle in 1589 on the site of an earlier O'Molloy tower that had burned down in 1557. The new construction marked a shift from older fortifications toward residential structures.
Culture
The castle shows how Irish nobles combined living comfort with defensive capabilities. The building style reveals what mattered to wealthy families at that time.
Practical
The castle sits on private land, so access to certain areas requires permission from the property owners. Visitors should respect the property and ask before approaching the building.
Did you know?
The unusual arrangement of chimneys gave the building a local nickname: 3-2-1, with three grouped together, two side by side, and one standing alone. This distinctive outline makes it easy to spot when approaching the castle.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Ballycowan).
Charleville Castle
2.7 km
Durrow Abbey
6.1 km
Clara Bog
7.2 km
Sculpture in the Parklands
12.6 km
Rahugh
10.5 km
Offaly Way
12.5 km
Tullamore Town Hall
4.3 km
Tullamore Courthouse
4.2 km
St Carthach's Church
3.6 km
St Catherine's Church
5.2 km
Campbell's Bridge
12.6 km
Bury Bridge
4.8 km
Gaol Bridge
4 km
Coola Bridge
12 km
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Lady
4.6 km
St Brigid's Church
8.4 km
Srah Bridge
2.2 km
21st Lock
12.5 km
Cappyroe Bridge
11.3 km
Digby Bridge
7 km
Cox's Bridge and 27th Lock
4 km
Kilbeggan Bridge
4.5 km
Wood of O Bridge
10 km
King oak near Tullamore
2.9 km
St Brigid's Church of Ireland Church
8.5 km
Lowertown Bridge
9.8 km
St Columba's Church
5.5 km
Tullamore Methodist Church
4.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes