Ballymoon has no recorded history, but on architectural grounds it must have been built circa 1290-1310. The castle comprises a courtyard about 80 feet square, delimited by granite walls, 8 feet thick and 20 feet high. No doubt these walls had wall-walks with crenellations, but these do not survive. Some protection was provided by oblong latrine turrets projecting from three of its faces; the fourth curtain wall on the west has no such defence, though the gateway on this side, a plain arch with portcullis grooves, may originally have had a barbican in front.
The interior is now barren, but the walls' many embrasures, loops, fireplaces
and doors bear witness to the former presence of two-storey ranges, some with
cellars, that delimited the enclosure. The fine double-fireplace on the north
wall belonged was the location of the great hall, while such features as the
cross loops with expanded terminals and "Caernarvon arches" allow
us to date the castle to the turn of the 13th century. The castle may not
have been in use for very long, some argue it was never finished. A small
bridge gives access across a deep field ditch. Boots recommended as you will
be walking through an active pasture.
Chuck Daisy
Celtic Links Tours 4U LLC
celticlinkstours4u@comcast.net
