Ballynakill Castle,

Co. Tipperary.

Documenting our Heritage

Ballynakill castle, formerly the grand residence of the Minchin family now exists as a gutted shell of a tower house with the remains of a later house added to the southern end of the structure.

Surrounding them is a huge rectangular bawn with high defensive walls, wall walk and defensive loops. Arched gateways provide access to the interior from the north and south.

Colonel Charles Minchin, born in 1628 served in the Parliamentary Army with Cromwell and Ireton in 1649 as a "49" Officer.

Colonel Minchin bought the Ballynakill estate from Sir Richard Stephens in 1680 but died shortly afterwards in 1681. The Colonel's second son Humphrey Minchen succeeded to Ballynakill Castle, in 1686. Humphrey was High Sherriff of Co. Tipperary and later became MP for Tipperary. Humphrey died in 1733 and was succeeded at Ballynakill by his eldest surviving son Paul Minchin. Paul also went on to become High Sherriff of Co Tipperary in 1736, died in 1764 and was succeeded by his eldest son Humphrey Minchin.

Humphrey was a keen cricketer and prominent political figure, he sold Ballynakill in 1760 and moved to England where he had large estates in Staffordshire and Hampshire.