Clan Rising
Ballyloughan Castle today

Ireland · Ruin

Ballyloughan Castle

Caisleán Bhaile an Locháin

Ballyloughan Castle is a ruined medieval castle near Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland. The surviving fabric includes a twin-towered gatehouse, the footprint and fragmentary walls of the hall, and the foundations of one corner tower, sited on the western end of a glacial ridge.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1300

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1300

What Ballyloughan Castle looked like in its prime.

A roughly square stone castle of coarse rubble masonry with two large, round gatehouse towers set side-by-side forming the main entrance; curtain walls rise from the towers to similar heights with gaps where masonry has collapsed. The towers show narrow vertical window openings and irregular, weathered stonework in pale brown-grey. The hall's footprint and the low remains of a corner tower are visible; the site sits on a grassy ridge above open farmland.

Its story

The story of Ballyloughan Castle.

Ballyloughan was built in the 13th century in County Carlow, a moated courtyard castle of roughly 43 by 46 metres enclosed by a wall of unhewn granite blocks. It was held first by the Kavanagh family and passed later to the Bagenals, and in the 18th century the site served as a country house.

What survives today is a gate, two corner towers and the former gatehouse, protected as a National Monument. The gatehouse interior and one of the two towers can still be entered by visitors.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1300.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Ballyloughan Castle, including 2 interiors: gate passage (ground floor), hall interior and footprint. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach from the ridgeFace of the twin-towered gatehouseGate passage (ground floor)Hall interior and footprintExterior face of the curtain wallFoundations of a corner tower

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1300, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Ballyloughan Castle.

The families that held Ballyloughan Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Kavanagh

    First holders of Ballyloughan from its 13th-century building.

  • Bagenal

    Held Ballyloughan after the Kavanaghs.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Ballyloughan Castle.

Glendalough, IrelandMonasteryGlendalough36 km away

Questions about Ballyloughan Castle

What is the history of Ballyloughan Castle?

Ballyloughan Castle was built in the 13th century as a moated courtyard castle in County Carlow. It was first held by the Kavanagh family and later passed to the Bagenals. In the 18th century, the site served as a country house; it is now a protected ruin.

What is inside Ballyloughan Castle?

Inside Ballyloughan Castle, the documented spaces include the gate passage on the ground floor and the hall interior and footprint. The gatehouse interior survives, and one of the two towers can still be entered by visitors. Much of the castle is now open ruin rather than enclosed rooms.

Why was Ballyloughan Castle built, and what was it used for?

Ballyloughan Castle was built as a moated courtyard castle enclosed by a wall of unhewn granite blocks. In the 18th century, its use changed when the site served as a country house. The surviving remains are those of the castle and its former gatehouse.

Where is Ballyloughan Castle?

Ballyloughan Castle is near Bagenalstown in County Carlow, at the western end of a glacial ridge. It is located in Muine Bheag. The castle stands above open farmland, near Mount Leinster, with its approach from the ridge.

When was Ballyloughan Castle built?

Ballyloughan Castle was built in the 13th century, with its surviving gatehouse, hall and corner-tower foundations dating to about 1300. The first-raised year is not recorded, so the evidence establishes the century rather than a precise construction year.

Which family or clan held Ballyloughan Castle?

Ballyloughan Castle was first held by the Kavanagh family. It later passed to the Bagenals, who held Ballyloughan after the Kavanaghs. These family holdings date from the castle’s 13th-century building and its later history.

What did Ballyloughan Castle look like in its prime?

Ballyloughan Castle was a roughly square stone castle built of coarse rubble masonry, with two large round gatehouse towers forming the main entrance. Curtain walls rose from the towers to similar heights, while narrow vertical windows and pale brown-grey, weathered stone gave the structure a stark appearance.

Is Ballyloughan Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Ballyloughan Castle is a ruin, although its twin-towered gatehouse, hall and foundations of one corner tower survive. The remaining fabric also includes two corner towers, the former gatehouse and fragmentary curtain walls. The site is protected as a National Monument.

Can you visit Ballyloughan Castle?

Ballyloughan Castle can be visited, and visitors can still enter the gatehouse interior and one of its two towers. It is a ruined castle rather than a lived-in residence. The site is protected as a National Monument.

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