Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Oval-shaped area, once an island but now connected to mainland by narrow isthmus; entire area occupied by oil refinery. No visible surface trace of two structures marked on OS 6-inch map and shown in photo (Coleman 1915, opp. 180) in grounds of Corkbeg House. Oil painting in board room of refinery (probably late 18th century) shows tall structure of tower house appearance with lower wider building immediately to W; within walled garden of house to SE a small circular structure with conical roof is shown which could have been corner tower of bawn enclosure though more likely to be dovecote or associated with house. According to Healy (1988, 126) 'in 1915 the old castle collapsed on one side, showing the interior stone arch' (vault). Castle of De Caunton or Condon family, built in 1396 according to Windele (Coleman 1915, 169) though tower house probably later.

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