Ballyallinan Castle

Ballyallinan Castle lies in the townland of the same name, in County Limerick, in Ireland.

Ballyallinan Castle was built sometime during the 15th century, probably by the MacSheehy clan, who were gallowglass (mercenary soldiers) brought into Limerick about 1420 by James FitzGerald, earl of Desmond.

During the First Desmond Rebellion, the Macsheehys surrendered the castle to English forces, in 1569-70, although they were pardoned soon after. The Macsheehys participated again in the Second Desmond Rebellion, but were again pardoned in 1582.

During the Nine Years War (1593-1603), they were again very much involved, kidnapping and holding crown allies as ransom, in exchange for captured Irish allies. This led to the capture of 2 clan members and the taking of Ballyallinan Castle by Dermod O'Connor, in 1600. The clan members were then held hostage in Castle Lishen.

In 1614 the castle was granted to Sir John King, an Anglo-Irish politician, but it was regranted to the MacSheehys in 1631 by Charles I of England.

The castle now consists of a rectangular tower house. It had 2 bartizans on opposite corners, of which one is almost completely destroyed. Especially the west corner of the castle is very damaged and looks precarious.

Ballyallinan Castle is situated on the premises of a private residence and farm and thus can not be visited. A very nice ruin, of which I would have liked to see the interior.

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