Antiquities
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Antiquities in Balla and Manulla parishes from Irish Tourist Association Survey, 1945
This section section of the Balla and Manulla survey contains a comprehensive listing and description of the antiquities in the area. Included are:
- Doonamoona Castle:- The surveyor provides a detailed description of the castle ruins and also an account of the history of the castle from various sources. It is said to have been built by a member of the O’Kelly family around 1450/60. From there it passed to the de Burgo family. Others associated with the history of the castle included Richard Bingham, governor of Connaught, John Perrott, Lord Deputy and Tibbot na Long, son of Granuaile.
- Gweeshadan Castle:- Little known of history of this ruin. Some tradition says it was constructed by the de Burgos, other tradition by Bingham.
- Manulla Castle:- Nothing known of its history except tradition that it was owned by McEvilly until 1592
- Balla Round Tower:- Detailed physical description provided. No tradition associated with the tower.
- Church ruins in Elmhall:- Located in graveyard in Elmhal townland near Belcarra. Said to have been built by the Cuffe’s of Elmhall.
- Ruins of cruciform building in Belcarra:- ruins of former parish church
- Ruins of Elmhall:- once the residence of Lord Tyrawley. Brief history of the Cuffe family, (family name of Tyrawley), provided. Also mention of small house beside the Elmhall ruins, known locally as the “Naggin House” or the “Pleasure House”.
- Megalith at rear of priest’s house in Balla
- Prison ruins:- in Prison townland, hence the townland name. Said to have been the county jail in Elizabethan times before Bingham moved it to Castlebar. Tradition has it that Toby Burke or “Tibbot na Long” was governor of the prison for a time.
- Souterrains in Roslahan, Knockmore, Prison and Carrowjames.
- Caltragh in Drumadoon.
The headings for the survey are listed below. Clicking on the heading will open the relevant section in the survey.
Amenities and general information