The next stop on our trip was Ballinacarriga Tower House. We were all excited, I think at least, that the castle-type building we had seen from the road proved to be our next stop. This is probably the place where I took the most photos (over 60).
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| Ballinacarriga Tower House |
They aren't quite sure when this was built, but there were some inserted windows that were inserted in 1585. There were several defensive features of the tower house that would later become obsolete. The tower house builders were not very concerned with aesthetics, mostly with defense. Ballinacarriga was even built on a giant rock so that it could have a great view of the surrounding area so they could see if anyone was going to invade. They also had two strategic places from which to drop things on people.
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| The Sheela-na-gig |
There is also a Sheela-na-gig which is a female exhibitionist figure. It is likely a pre-Christian symbol thought to ward off evil spirits. However, there are some theories that it is actually meant to keep men faithful. Although, women did apparently get into this position to get rid of invaders (it's not quite known how effective this was).
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| The Inside of Ballinacarriga |
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| Instruments of the Passion at the Inner Chapel |
The top floor was turned into a chapel after the reformation so the family could remain Catholic. We got to see the inside and the top floor as our professor (for some awesome reason) has a skeleton key to all national monuments in Ireland. Even though the climb to the top was a bit scary, the view was well worth it.
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| Me at the Top of Ballinacarriga |
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