The Society is holding a walking tour of Ballymascanlan, led by historian Don Johnston, on Wednesday 6 August 2025 at 2pm.

The tour will be followed by afternoon tea/coffee and scones at 4p.m.

The recommended contribution is €10 to help cover costs. Please let us know in advance for numbers if you would like the cup of tea by emailing secretaryclahs@gmail.com.

The visit will include the Proleek Dolman, Ballymascanlan House (inside and outside), the stump of Ballymascanlan Castle and other sites of interest in the McNeale/Foster estate.

Don will detail the importance of the site. The main house was built by the McNeale family and sold in the encumbered estates court to the Foster family and later was the residence of the Forsters and Plunkets (family of the Lord Chancellor). In the 1940s the unrelated George Plunkett, brother of Joseph Mary, purchased Ballymascanlan. While the castle is not well-known, it is linked to surrender of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone at Kinsale in 1603. The Moores, then owners of Ballymascanlan, were friendly with O’Neill and helped negotiate O’Neill’s surrender with Lord Mountjoy.

Please assemble at the entrance to the Ballymascanlan House hotel (Eircode A91 PF57).