Long lost site of historical castle rediscovered by group of local volunteers in Mayo

In a major archaeological development in Ballina town, the lost site of Ardnaree Castle has been located and given protected status by the National Monument Service of Ireland, due to the initiative, insight and persistence of a team of Ballina volunteers.

Building on research and evidence presented as part of the Battle of Ardnaree documentary produced by the Ballina Community Clean-Up Group in 2021, a team of local volunteers under the banner of the 'Ard na Riagh Preservation Group' have produced indisputable evidence that Ardnaree Castle once stood tall on Palmyra Hill on the east bank of the River Moy in Carrowcushlaun West townland, 100m west of St. Michael's Church on Church Road.

This site location is referred to in medieval texts as 'Ard na Riagh', The Hill of Executions, from where Ardnaree takes its name, and is the founding stone of Ballina town.

The town was widely considered to have evolved around the establishment of the Augustinian Abbey in 1427, but this development has reset the town's origins to at least 150 years earlier.

In a history-making event, Ardnaree Hill is now offered the same protection as the nearby Augustinian Abbey.

A spokesperson for the group of volunteers from Ard na Riagh Preservation Group said Ardnaree Castle can be considered a site of some significance given the frequency of annalistic references to a site that was regularly contested and usurped throughout the high and late medieval period.

"The documentary sources provide evidence that the Anglo Normans built a fortification at the site between 1235 and 1266 and it remained in English hands until 1371, when it was taken by the O'Dowds.

"Between 1371 and 1614 the site was contested by the O'Dowds of the Barony of Tireagh and the Bourkes of Tirawley on opposite sides of the River Moy, and it was in the possession of Thomas Bourke in the year 1614.

"During this period, the Battle of Ardnaree in 1586 took place at or within the environs of the site, where 3,000 Scottish mercenaries and their families, half of them women and children, lost their lives at the hands of Sir Richard Bingham and crown forces.

"The historical references to the occupation of the castle cease after 1614, however cartographic sources depicting a castle as well as a number of associated structures inform us that the castle survived at the site until the latter half of the 18th century.

"The last known reference to the site is from 1829 when it is reported the castle was in ruins with only fragments of walls remaining above ground.

"However, despite the fact that all visible above ground evidence of the castle site has been removed, the potential for sub- surface structural remains as well as associated artefacts and occupational evidence remains high."

Following the Ard na Riagh Preservation Group detailed submission report in April 2024 to the National Monument Service highlighting these research findings, the site of Ardnaree Castle was officially put on the map since June 6, 2024.

The recognition and status of this historic castle site guarantees its protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004.

This hugely significant status is excellent news for potential heritage tourism in the north Mayo capital.

Ard na Riagh Preservation Group consists of Martin Devaney and Dermot Rice, who originally managed the Battle of Ardnaree project for Ballina Community Clean Up Group, in which the initial evidence of the location of the now confirmed castle site was identified.

Colm McLoughlin who has a Masters in urban historical geography from the University of Galway and is history officer with the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA club, brings a wealth of experience in local history research to the team.

The team is completed by the expertise of Ballina native Thomas Joyce, who has a Masters in Landscape Archaeology from the University of Galway and has more than 20 years of experience as a research and field archaeologist in Ireland and the UK. All four are volunteering their services to the development of this special project.

Ard na Riagh Preservation Group paid tribute to the local landowners at and around the Ardnaree Castle site, who, they said, were the proud custodians of our town's earliest heritage and hoped that they would ensure its conservation for future generations.

The group extended a heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to this project to date and further developments are expected from the group in the very near future.