Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

In gently rolling pasture; on low limestone outcrop. The building here was burnt in 1771, when it formed 'a large square building, with a court in the centre (Smith 1750, vol. 1, 157). This ruin was subsequently much damaged by quarrying, so that it now survives in two sections: the N section contains remains of a 17th century wing (CO045-004---); whilst c. 20m to S,separated from latter section by abandoned quarry, are lower, more fragmentary remains built around a medieval core.
At SW corner of this latter section is rectangular structure (int. 5.4m N-S; 5.15m E-W); exterior wall face evident on S (L c. 10m; H c. 4m) and W (L c. 8.8m; H c. 4m) sides but otherwise most of external face buried behind rough sod-covered ground. Ground floor covered by plank-centred vault, S half fallen; interior filled with earth-covered mound of rubble. Only visible ope is in centre of S wall (int. wth 1.8m; ext. wth 1.2m; wall thickness 1.35m), exact nature unclear. 2.8m to E, at slightly higher level, are much eroded remains, undermined by quarrying on N side, which formed part of S wing of court. What survives are two bays, standing to two storeys, of S-facing wall. All opes enlarged to take sash windows when this formed part of S facade of court complex. Bay to W, at ground level, has opening square-set on inside (Wth 2.9m) and then splays towards outside; this forms S wall of a chamber (3.3m E-W) covered by rounded wicker-centred vault (axis N-S); vault clearly an insertion. N end of vault fallen; almost entire floor of chamber gone. Fireplace in W wall with quarried flue. Bay to E much more ruined and virtually nothing of chamber inside ope survives. Lower courses of this section curved, indicating earlier structure underpresent wall.
Plank-centred vault probably 13th century, indicating when the core of S section of court was built; wicker-centred vault evidence of 15th/16th century rebuilding; structure then greatly modified again in 17th/18thcentury as S side of court complex. Remains of 'Castrum Olethan or Caisleán O Liatháin - the castle of Uí Liathán' (O Murchadha 1985, 23), built by Barry family in 13th century when Castlelyons became one of their chief manors.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009