Monday 8 April 2024

Buolick Castle and Church Ruins, Tipperary

Buolick Castle

Tipperary

I can honestly say that until I passed by I had never ever heard of Buolick before.

It has previously been called among other names : Bowlick, Boglec, Bwolike, Boulek, Bolike and a multitude of others so where in heaven's its name originates is anyones guess.

It's possibly originally a derivation of Booley, that's my guess anyway.

After spotting the tall tower of it's Church ruin I couldn't help deviating from my route to take a look and what a pleasant surprise I was in for as it turned out.

Here at Buolick there was a multi-period Church ruin which originated in the 13th Century, lots of very probably ancient walling, a beautiful Tower House ruin and a wonderful and verdant Norman Motte and Baily.

The Tower house was my favorite of them all. There is something enchanting about being inside a somewhat ruinous Castellated structure which just can't be matched wandering around a fully intact Castle.

I didn't have time to explore the equally enchanting looking Motte and Baily and my visit to the Church was also a little rushed.

All in all this is a delightful and interesting spot to visit if in the area or passing nearby. It's extremely quiet and very picturesque.

Also of interest are the placenames nearby such as Gortnahoo, New Birmingham, Clonamicklon, Glengoole and Ballynastick. These wonderful sounding names alone seem more than enough reason to justify traveling to the area.

The Church possibly in its later years was a Franciscan entity and a large enough medieval settlement must once have been located here based on the size of the church and the adjacent Tower House.

The tower on the Church is Crenellated and while I just had an almost fleeting look around the ruins presumably it was a fortified Church judging by those features.