Ballynahinch Castle

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

Ballynahinch Castle was built by Margaret Grant or Grady, widow of Gibbon FitzGibbon in either the 1620s or 1630s, during the reign of Charles I of England. During the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the mid-17th century, the FitzGibbons lost ownership, and it was granted to Captain Robert Oliver in 1657. The FitzGibbons tried to regain it through legal procedures, but in 1666 it was confirmed to Oliver by Charles II.

Apparently it originally was a tower house, but it was later cut down a couple of stories and rebuilt to its present height. This is why today it looks more like a house than a castle. The original entrance (now bricked up) is situated in the northeast wall.

At present, Ballynahinch Castle is freely accessible, but mind that it is on private farmland. It was raining during my visit, so it was hard to photograph. A nice ruin.

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