During the Jacobite troubles the castle was still used as a military headquarters, and the town was for a time in the hands of the Royalists.
The land on which the ancient fortress stood is now part of the Connolly estate, and was acquired by purchase from the Folliots.
| Authorities Consulted. |
| Allingham, “Ballyshannon, its History and Antiquities.” |
| Donovan, “Annals of the Four Masters.” |
| Calendar of State Papers. |
| “The Donegal Highlands.” |
| Parliamentary Gazetteer. |
BALLYTEIGUE CASTLE
This castle is situated in the townland of the same name upon the shore of Ballyteigue Lough, in the County Wexford. The name signifies “O’Teige’s town.”
The old fortress forms part of a modern dwelling-house, and the keep has always been kept roofed and in good repair.
It was erected by Sir Walter de Whitty, one of the Norman settlers, the name being spelt variously—Whythay, Whythey, Wytteye, Whittey, Wythay, in old documents.
Sir Richard Whitty was summoned to Parliament as a baron by Edward III., and his son Richard held three carucates of land in Ballyteigue in 1335.
In 1408, as we learn from a MS. in the British Museum, the Castle of Ballyteigue was burnt by Art M’Murrough Kavanagh on Tuesday, the morning after the Feast of St. Barnabas.