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Ballinacarriga Castle facts for kids

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Ballinacarriga Castle
Native name Béal na Carraige
Ballinacarriga Castle.jpg
Ballinacarriga Castle
Location Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland
Built c. 1585
Reference no. 425

Ballinacarriga Castle is an old stone building from the 1500s, located in a village called Ballinacarriga in County Cork, Ireland. Its name in Irish, Béal na Carraige, means "Mouth of the Rock". This castle is a type of building known as a tower house.

Tower houses were popular in Ireland during the 15th and 16th centuries. They were usually tall, strong stone towers built by wealthy families for protection and as their homes. Ballinacarriga Castle is about 9 kilometers (about 5.6 miles) from the town of Dunmanway and 7.5 kilometers (about 4.7 miles) from the village of Ballineen.

What is a Tower House?

A tower house is like a mini-castle, but usually smaller and built for a single family. They often had several floors, with living areas, bedrooms, and storage spaces. The thick stone walls and small windows helped protect the people inside from attacks. These buildings were very important for families in Ireland during a time when there was a lot of conflict.

Ballinacarriga Castle Today

Today, Ballinacarriga Castle stands as a reminder of Ireland's past. It is recognized as an Irish National Monument, which means it's an important historical site protected by the government. Visitors can explore the remains of this 16th-century building and imagine what life was like for the people who lived there hundreds of years ago.

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