Ballykealy Castle, once a substantial fortress, has vanished so completely that its exact location remains unknown. Historical records tell us it definitely existed; in 1622, a gentleman named Bostock King purchased both the lands and castle of Ballinkelly (as it was then spelled) from the Earl of Kildare, one of Ireland’s most powerful noble families. The transaction suggests this was no minor fortification but rather a castle worthy of aristocratic ownership.

Today, all that might remain of this once prominent structure is a humble pile of stones sitting in a field that locals have long called ‘The Castle Field’. According to local historian Brian Pey, who shared this information in 2009, these weathered stones could represent the last physical traces of Ballykealy Castle. It’s a tantalising possibility; countless Irish castles have been reduced to similar anonymous rubble over the centuries, victims of war, neglect, or simply the practical recycling of building materials by local farmers.

The disappearance of Ballykealy Castle speaks to a broader pattern in Irish history, where many medieval and early modern structures have been lost to time. Without archaeological investigation, we can only speculate about what kind of castle stood here, who built it originally, and what circumstances led to its destruction. The Castle Field keeps its secrets well, offering only stones and stories to those who know where to look.