Ballyloughan Castle ( born Baile an Loch Án ) is one of the castles of Ireland located in the county of Carlow , near the village of the same name Ballylogan, near the village of Bagenalstone. The tower-type castle, built in the Norman style, consists of two twin towers connected by walls and annexes. Earlier on the ground floor there was a large room with a large fireplace. The remains of spiral staircases have been preserved. The castle was built around 1300. Now Ballillogan Castle is a monument of history and architecture of Ireland of national importance.
Ballylogan Castle History
Ballylogan Castle was built by a lord of Anglo-Norman descent around 1300, possibly earlier - at the end of the 13th century to protect his possessions from the Irish clan of Cavan, who was going to regain his original lands. The early history of Ballillogan Castle has been lost. Previously, the castle was surrounded by a deep moat, through which there was a bridge. There was also an extra wall. Near the castle, the ruins of a 17th century house were preserved. This house, like the castle, is built of wild stone of local origin. In the 14th century, the Irish clan recaptured their lands and took control of the castle. For a long time, the clan of Cavan and its leaders owned this castle. In the XVI century, the castle was owned by the leader of the Cavan clan Donoh - the leader of the most powerful septa Donoh clan of the Cavan. Then in the same century the castle passed into the hands of the feudal lords of Bagenal from the castle of Bagenalstone. In 1641, a rebellion broke out for the independence of Ireland. The owners of the Ballillogan castle - the Bagenal family supported the uprising and the flag of the Irish Confederation rose above the castle. The castle was stormed by the troops of Oliver Cromwell . After the brutal suppression of the uprising, Oliver Cromwell confiscated the castle and handed it over to the Bevchamp family. However, this family in the same XVII century built a new residence for itself, and the castle did not renovate, never lived in it. The castle was abandoned and gradually turned into ruins. Many stones from the castle were dismantled for the construction of other housing. But in 1725, Eleanor Bevchapm partially renovated the castle and made it his residence. She married Walter Bagenal from Dunlekni - two ancient clans who at different times owned this castle became related. In the 19th century, the Bruyen family owned the lands and castle of Ballylogan.
Currently, the castle is on private land, access to it is limited. Excavations were carried out in and around the castle in 1955, revealing various artifacts from the Middle Ages and traces of various elements of the castle that have not been preserved to this day.
To the west of the castle there used to be a lake - now it has disappeared, but the remains of the marsh vegetation indicate its location. The castle got its name from this lake: the Irish name for the castle was Baile an Loch An ( Irish Baile an Loch Án ). The name translates as "City near Lake An." The moat at the castle was filled with water from this lake.
In the XVIII century, the ruins of the castle depicted the artist Gross. At that time the castle was already in ruins. Although most of the walls and structures are present in the figure, there are three chimneys (only one remains are left). The idea of restoration of the castle has not yet been realized.
Sources
See also
- List of castles in Ireland