Ballyoughtera Castlemartyr

ruins of ballyoughtera church

there had been 2 adjoining medieval parishes, cahirultan , ballyoughtera , both known have been in existence 1300 @ least, when ballyoughtera valued @ 5 marks , cahairultan @ 3 marks. reference dated 1364 records “richard kerdyf holds land of whole ville of martyre”. ville implied nearby mill tenant farmers grind corn, , castle, providing tenants protection. in case castle castlemartyr castle, mid-15th century in possession of fitzgeralds or geraldines.

castlemartyr known “leperstown” in ancient times because of leper house said have existed near ballyoughtera, said smith have become village of note during middle ages. historian, lewis, states ballyoughtera church built in 1549, destroyed in cromwellian wars of 1641/42. there evidence suggest church in ruins before 1641 (probably 1615) , built before 1539, chancel being added on later, possibly cope expanding population in , around village.