Ballingarry Castle

Ballingarry Castle lies in the village of the same name, in County Tipperary, in Ireland.

Dating back to the 15th century, Ballingarry Castle is traditionally associated with the De Lacy family, although legend has it that it was built by the Knights Templar.

It became a stronghold of the FitzGeralds or Geraldines of Desmond while it was held by the De Lacy family, who were related by intermarriage. In 1569, the castle garrison of 40 soldiers was slaughtered, and the castle was taken by English troops under Captain John Ward. The castle was forfeited after the defeat of the Earl of Desmond in 1583, but the De Lacys were soon pardoned and later reinstated.

In the following decades, up into the 17th century, ownership of Ballingarry Castle changed hands several times, although the De Lacys seem to have continued to live there under terms of surrender and regrant. This continued until the 1650s, when the De Lacys left Ireland after the castle was confiscated and hence garrisoned by Cromwellian troops. It was granted to the Odell family, who were English settlers of the Munster Plantation, in 1667. Irish Jacobite forces burned the castle during the Williamite War, in 1691.

Later the castle became the residence of the local rectors. After one of them, it was also known as Parsons Castle. It was repaired in the 1820s, served as a barracks during local disturbances in 1827 and was later used as a hospital during a cholera epidemic. With the passing of the 19th century, the castle was abandoned and fell to ruin.

The castle now consists of an L-shaped tower house with 5 floors, situated in, what looks like, a disused farmyard.

Ballingarry Castle is private property and can not be accessed. It lies somewhat hidden behind the houses on the main street of Ballingarry, secluded behind leafy trees. A beautiful slender tower house, too bad it seems to be forgotten and not accessible.

Gallery