Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Stretch of wall (L 21m; H 2.8m) on N side of road c. 120m NW of Johnstown Cross Roads appears medieval in character: built of limestone rubble construction with numerous put-log holes. Possibly part of a bawn wall, but known locally as 'Cloister Wall'. Fragment of cut stone built into recent wall at rear of nearby bungalow appears to be part of late medieval ogee-headed window.
Down Survey (1655-6) barony map shows castle in 'Johnstowne' townland in this general area. Possessions of Cistercian Abbey of Fermoy at time of Dissolution included 'a castle' and 300 acres of land at 'Johnstowne' (White 1943, 145); leased c. 1552 to Humfrey Warren (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, 95), subsequently granted, in 1577, to Theobald Roche of Cregg (ibid., vol. 2, 270).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009