The name of Ballymascanlon - literally the town of the son of Scanlan - is derived from the ancient Sept of Scanlans - rulers of the district of Oriel, County Louth, from the earliest times until the Anglo-Norman period.

That the area around Ballymascanlon was inhabited right back into pre-history is evident from the wealth of Archaeological remains in the district. One of the most important of these is the Cromlech know as the "Giants Load" which is said to have been erected by a Giant called Porrah Buagh Mac Shaggan. Less romantically but possibly with more accuracy science regards the Cromlech as marking the site of a Bronze Age burial dating approximately from 4000 BC. Science does not explain, however, as tradition tries to show how the enormous top stone weighing over 46 tons, was raised upon its three supports.

The "Giant's Load" is now more generally known as the Proleek Stone and it is said that a wish is granted to all those who can throw a pebble so that it lands and stays on top.

Close to the Cromlech is the entrance to a cave which runs under the rath or mound called Cill Ca Lara and which is regarded as the tomb of a Scanlan chieftain of the tenth century.

Apart from the archaeological remains, however, there is very little record of the history of Ballymascanlon until the coming of the Norman's. We know that Saint Brigit, second Patron Saint of Ireland was born near Faughart in the year 453, and there is also a reference to a remarkable chieftain named MacScanlan, who, in 833, was prominent in repelling a Danish intrusion into the area.

Recorded history in the full sense of the term begins with the coming of the Norman's when the district of Ballymascanlon passed out of the hands of is ancient overlords and was annexed by Hugh De Lacy to the Anglo-Norman pale. In 1185 De Lacy granted Ballymascalon to the Cistercian Abbey of Mellifont in whose possession it remain until the dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII in the sixteenth century.

From then onwards Ballymascanlon and the surrounding district played an important role in the history of Ireland and has numerous connections with Ireland's struggle for freedom. The cemetery of the old Church on Faughart Hill near Ballymascanlon is claimed to be the last resting place of Edward Bruce, King of Ireland, Brother of Robert "The Bruce," the hero of Bannockburn. After the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 King Robert was invited by the Irish to come across and drive the English from this country as they had so successfully done in Scotland. Robert himself was unable to come but he sent his brother, Edward, who defeated the English in a battle near Slane, and was proclaimed King of Ireland. Edward's success was short-lived, however, and he was finally killed in battle near Faughart in October, 1318.

When during the reign of Henry VIII the Monasteries were dissolved, the lordship of Ballymascanlon passed from the hands of Cistercians and was granted by the Crown of England to Sir Edwards Moore, ancestor of the Marquis of Drogheda. It was to remain in the hands of the Moore family until the middle of the eighteenth-century. Sir Garrett Moore, who inherited the title in 1600 was a staunch friend of Hugh O'Neill, the Great Earl of Tyrone. Although O'Neill and his fellow-Earl, Hugh O'Donnell of Tir Conaill, were fighting what proved to be a losing battle against the crown forces, the friendship of Sir Garrett and the Irish Chieftains remained strong, and O'Neill was a frequent visitor to Mellifont and Ballymascanlon.

After the ill-fated Battle of Kinsale and the Treaty of Mellifont, O'Neill and O'Donnell left the country forever in the historic Flight of the Earls. Before their departure O'Neill visited Mellifont to say farewell to his trusted friend. Tradition has it that Moore was unaware of O'Neill's impending departure and was surprised when the Irish Chieftain went to each member of the Moore Family in turn and blessed them showing much emotion. O'Neill then left for Rome where he died a broken man.

Although the Moores retained their connection with Ballymascanlon until the eighteenth century other names appear respecting the titles to the lordship, including those of Sir. A. St. Ledger in 1590. James Hamilton, Viscount Clandeboy 1608, and the McNeills, an early member of which died there in 1696.

Ballymascanlon is not without its military association. During the Williamite Wars of the Dutch of Schomberg's Anglo-Dutch army encamped in the domain before the Battle of the Boyne. At Ballymascanlon, too, they set up a field hospital from which the sick and wounded were sent back to Carlingford after the battle en route home for England. More recently it is recorded that when in 1790 the Irish volunteers, inspired by the French Revolution, raised the Banner of Liberty the Ballymascanlon Rangers were commanded by Robert MacNeale of Ballymascanlon, father of James Wolfe MacNeale.

During the early eighteenth century the Ballymascanlon Spa - an iron or chalybeate spring located about a mile north of Ballymascalon village - was well know for its curative properties. Tradition has it that amongst more that a thousand people who came in 1720 seeking cures, was an old gentleman who was said to have been completely restored to health after having been bedridden for over ten years. By the middle of the eighteenth century, however, the spa seems to have been completely unknown.

It was about this time that the Moores ceased their long association with Ballymascanlon and their place was taken by the Fortescues and later by the Fosters. The present building was erected during the first half of the 19th century by Sir Fredrick Foster and later enlarged. Through the marriage of Louise Jane Foster to Thomas, second Baron Plunkett, Ballymascanlon House became the home of the County Lough branch of the Plunkett family and they lived there for more than 50 years. The Bas-relief which crowns the main entrance is of the crest from the Plunkett coat of Arms - "The White Horse Passant, " linked with their family motto: "Festina Lente" - Make Haste Slowly…