Ballyadams
Castle
Location:
Ballyadams,
Co. Laois
Ballyadams
/ Baile Adam |
| The 'house of Adam'
was in fact a castle, built on a site of a Norman castle by a member
of the O'Moore family in the 15th century. Enough is left of the
building to give an idea of its impressive scale - it has five stories
connected to a spiral stone staircase and two towers, the highest
of which is 75ft. Unusually, the iron-studded oak doorway has surrvived. |
| The bloodthirsty history
of Ballyadams includes many battles. It was taken in 1548 by the
Earl of Desmond's army who turfeled out the o'Moores when the burnt
the town and monastery of Athy. The O'Moore's never regained possession
of the castle and was taken over in 1551 by Welshman, John Bowen,
known as 'Shane-a-feeka' or John of the Pike whose cruelty was renowned
even in those harsh times. When Bowen was threatened by Castlehaven,
a royalist general who called on him to surrender. Bowen told him:
'I'l cover that part, or any other, your lordship chooses to shoot
at, by hanging both daughters in the chairs.' |
| Because of the unsafe
condition of Ballyadams, visitors are advised to view it from the
road only. |
|