Ballymalis Castle, Medieval tower house near River Laune, Ireland.
Ballymalis Castle is a rectangular medieval tower house built in stone, rising four stories with an attic level and defensive bartizans positioned at its southwest and northeast corners. The structure features windows with mullioned and transomed divisions, typical of 16th-century Irish fortified architecture.
The O'Moriarty clan built this tower house in the early 1500s as part of their territorial control in the region. The Ferris family later undertook renovations during the same century, adapting the structure to their needs.
The castle sits on a bend of the River Laune, and its position reflects how medieval families chose defensible locations with water access for practical and strategic reasons. The towers and corner structures would have been distinctive landmarks for the surrounding area, marking territorial control.
The castle is located about 4 kilometers northwest of Beaufort and remains accessible to visitors year-round. Sturdy footwear is recommended when visiting, as the grounds around the tower can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain.
Sections of the original wall-walk, known as an alure, still survive on the structure, allowing us to see how defenders could patrol the perimeter. These remaining passages reveal the practical defensive arrangements that made such towers effective.
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