Ballyhack

Ballyhack Castle is located on a steep slope in a commanding position overlooking Waterford estuary.

The Castle which is a large tower house is thought to have been built in 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John one of the two great military orders founded at the beginning of the twelfth century at the time of the Crusades. 

The village of Ballyhack like many towns throughout Ireland, would originally have developed around a monastery and farm. 

The siting of the castle at this location gave the occupants an opportunity to control traffic on the estuary and ferry-crossing to the Waterford side of the estuary.

Most of the 3,500 or so castles in Ireland are fortified residences known as tower houses. Tower houses have their origins in the 14th century and continued to be built for the following 300 years. 


Ballyhack Castle built of conglomerate Old Red sandstone (the local rock type), originally stood five storeys high. 

To give the castle added strength the walls are splayed outwards to a width of around 3 metres at ground floor level. 
The wall on the north-east side which is overlooked by high ground, continues this width up to 4th floor level. 
This wall contains a number of mural chambers, including a secret room which may have been used as a strong room or a prison cell.
There is a regular ferry service across the river.