Barnaderg Castle was built in the 15th or 16th century by Malachy O’ Kelly, the same who built Garbally castle and other castles in the area.
He married Fionnuala O’Connor, daughter of Cathal Craobh Dearg O’Connor. Both are buried in Abbeyknockmoy.
The name Barnaderg is from the Irish "Bearna Dhearg" that means "Red Gap".
The castle stands on a low mound in the field and it seems that once it had a drawbridge. The fields around the castle look prone to be flooded, so it's likely that in the past the castle was protected by the water.
In 1677, all the lands of Barnaderg and Abbeyknockmoy were granted to Nicholas Browne, an Englishman.
Today the castle is in bad conditions. There are only three sides still standing, the north (20°) wall and parts of the west and east walls. It has four storeys, there were passages inside the west wall, just like at Garbally. There are traces of four windows in the north wall and two in the west wall, with a large breach in the lower part of it. The only fine window is the one on the fourth floor in the east wall, which is still mullioned.
The north and east walls still retain most of the original plaster.
The castle is in a private property and permission is to be sought before accessing. The owner takes no responsibility for any damage or accident that could occur during the visit.
We came here for the first time on May 12th, 2000.
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