Ballylahan Castle

Ballylahan Castle is a stone fortress in County Mayo situated along the south bank of the River Moy. The structure comprises a single standing circular tower and a hexagonal bawn, which together form the medieval fortification.

Jordan de Exeter, Sheriff of Connacht, built this fortress in 1260 as part of the Norman expansion into Ireland. The stronghold suffered major destruction in 1316 when forces led by King Fedlim Ó Conchobair attacked the site.

The fortress reflects Norman settlement in medieval Ireland and how newcomers adopted local naming practices over generations. Visitors can see how such strongholds became rooted in Irish communities rather than remaining purely foreign outposts.

The site sits approximately 2 kilometers northeast of the village of Strade and is accessible on foot. The remaining tower rises about 12 meters and offers views across the surrounding countryside.

Local tradition speaks of a roughly 2-kilometer tunnel that once connected this castle to a nearby friary in the village of Strade. Whether this underground passage ever actually existed remains a mystery that visitors often wonder about when exploring the site.

Location: County Mayo

GPS coordinates: 53.93457,-9.10497

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:28