Ballymote Castle - Caisleán Bhaile an Mhóta

Ballymote Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile an Mhóta) was built by Richard de Burgh in 1300. Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and 3rd Baron of Connaught (1259 – 29 July 1326), was also known as The Red Earl. Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh) is one of the four traditional Irish provinces, in the north of Ireland (Irish: Éire). He was one of the most powerful Irish nobles of the late 13th and early 14th centuries.The walls are some ten feet thick and it has six towers. The castle is almost square with a 3/4 round tower at each angle and a D-shaped tower mid way along the east and west curtains. There is a small gateway in the south wall. The double faced walls of the gate towers were built as a defence against undermining the wall. The gate is a rectangular structure with projection 1/2 round towers at each side of the entrance.The castle is located at Ballymote/Bail an Mhota off the R296 road in County Sligo (Irish: Contae Shligigh).  

Link: Sligo Tourism Ballymote Castle.

Image: Ballymote Castle in 1790's.