Geograph - photograph every grid square

The main block of this massive stronghouse was built in c.1589 by Thomas Morres. In 1623 it was granted to Sir Jasper Herbert who added the wing with its distinctive row of three chimney stacks and mullioned windows near the south end of the north side. It has an entrance doorway surmounted by a heraldic panel dated 1626 bearing the Herbert arms, above which is a protective machicolation. Wall-walks and parapets once graced the east and west walls of the main block, and there is a large square bartizan on the NE corner. There are also two upper levels of rooms with mullioned windows, and both main block and wing contain a number of gunloops.

N2925 : Castles of Leinster: Ballycowan, Offaly (2)