Ballyloughan Castle: A Guide for Visitors

Hidden within the rural Carlow countryside, Ballyloughan Castle features a striking gatehouse and two small corner towers. The views from inside make it well worth the trip for anyone exploring the area.

Planning Your Visit: Directions and Access

Coming from Bagenalstown, take the R724. At the fork in the road, carefully turn right, then take the next right. You will find the castle in a field on your right. The trip takes about 10 minutes.

Park in the informal single-car space to the right of the gate so you do not block the landowner’s access. This is not an official designated car park, and parking along this narrow road is very restricted. You can still see the castle, even though it sits a good distance back from the road. There is a locked gate into the field, but visitors have the right of way. The walk up to the castle is enjoyable, with its gatehouse towers as a standout feature.

What to Expect: Exploring the Castle Ruins

Originally, the rectangular courtyard was about 46 metres square, with a curtain wall around it that was roughly 1.5 metres high. Two rectangular corner towers—one at the north-east and one at the south-east—protected the wall.

In 1955, excavations revealed that Ballyloughan Castle had a moat 3 metres wide and 1 metre deep, filled with water from a local lake. When the lake dried up, the moat was filled in. (The name "Ballyloughan" comes from the Irish Baile na Locháin, meaning "town of the small lake".) To access what would have been the courtyard, you must go through the arched entranceway of the gatehouse.

The south-east tower (Hall) on the left and the Gatehouse on the right

John Beauchamp’s 17th Century Mansion

West side of Gatehouse

North side of Gatehouse

East side of Gatehouse

Inside the Gatehouse: Highlights of the Interior

Gatehouse arched entranceway

To get into the gatehouse, climb over the rail to reach the ground floor. Here, you can inspect the vaulted ceiling, a couple of small chambers to your left, and another chamber to your right.

The View Through the Wall: Look for a hole in the wall opposite the entrance where you can spot the ruins of the 17th-century mansion on the hill in the distance.

Ascending to the First Floor: Walk towards the back wall, and on your right you’ll find the stairwell leading upstairs. Take care, as the stairs are quite steep, though a handrail is provided to help you.

Exploring the Upper Level: On the first floor, the surface is even, and there are plenty of chambers and passageways to investigate. You can walk into each of the two round towers flanking the archway—which once provided lodging for the gatekeeper and protected the entrance—and enjoy terrific views over the surrounding countryside and Mount Leinster.

First floor

Architectural Details: Look out for the remnants of some huge fireplaces and windows that still retain their original detailing. From the first floor, you also get a wonderful view of the south-east tower (the Great Hall) with its ornate fireplaces and windows.

Note: There is a passageway to the next level, but a barrier prevents you from going any farther after a few steps, as everything beyond that point looks very unsafe.

First floor fireplace

A Glimpse into the Past: The History of Ballyloughan

Ballyloughan Castle is a 13th-century Norman gate-building in County Carlow. Though its early history remains uncertain, the land was originally given by Diarmait Mac Murchada to Strongbow. Over the centuries, ownership passed through several hands—from the Kavanaghs to John Beauchamp, the Bagenals, and ultimately the Bruen family in the 19th century. Today, the site lies mostly in ruins, but it once featured a central courtyard, a curtain wall, and a twin-towered gatehouse built using stones likely taken from an older church.

The Legend of "King Bagenal"

The castle's story became tied closely to Beauchamp Bagenal—known as the "King of the Bagenals"—after Eleanor Beauchamp married Walter Bagenal in 1725. Inheriting vast estates as a child, Bagenal lived an extravagant life. He embarked on a wild European Grand Tour, served as a Member of Parliament for Carlow, and became known for eccentricities like fighting a duel from his armchair or docking the ears and tails of a neighbour's trespassing pigs. Despite his flamboyant reputation, Bagenal was deeply devoted to his granddaughter, Catherine Newton. When she tragically died in November 1800 before reaching the age of fourteen, a broken-hearted Bagenal pined away and died a year later. He was laid to rest beside her in the graveyard at Dunleckney.

Beyond the Walls: The Moat and Nearby Mansion

While the castle ruins and gatehouse are the main draw, the adjacent landscape adds depth to the trip. The nearby 17th-century mansion on the hill—built by John Beauchamp—is a must-see companion stop to the castle ruins.

I hadn't heard of Ballyloughan Castle until a few years ago, but it is well worth a visit, especially because it offers the rare opportunity to climb into the structure and examine the historical stonework and detailing that still stand today.