Ballinafad Castle

Built in 1590 by Sir Richard Bingham, Ballinafad Castle was created to protect the route through the Curlew Mountains, known as the Curlew Pass. This reasoning signifies where Ballinafad received its other name: Castle of the Curlews.

Modelled on the 13^th century style, Ballinafad is a four-storey castle, with a main rectangular body and four round towers on each corner. The towers on the east and north still retain their chimney stacks. The castle was extensively repaired in the 1940s by the OPW after it was left in disuse since 1680.

The castle was partially destroyed in 1595 by Red Hugh O’Donnell, and was again attacked during the 1641 Irish insurrection, when the owners had to surrender due to a lack of water.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014