Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Castle - tower house
Rossbrin, County Cork, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Rossbrin
- County
- Cork
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Rossbrin Castle (in Ruins) (1902)
- Coordinates
- 51.52657, -9.47304
- SMR number
- CO140-045----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1841 "Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Rectangular tower-house (10.9m E-W; 8.3m N-S) on rock outcrop in elevated position on W side Rossbrin Bay. Structure has suffered a number of collapses in modern times (1905, 1963 and 1975) (Anon. 1975, 10; Healy1988, 211). NE corner stand to four storeys. Ground floor doorway in E wall partially blocked by rubble; probable 1st floor door in this wall. Pointed vault (axis E-W) over 2nd floor (attic) missing SE quadrant; also damaged at junction with W wall.
Mural stairs rise in E wall from N in going of 1st floor doorway to NE corner of 3rd floor. Only short returns adjoining E and N walls survive at 3rd and 4th floor levels. East wall recessed internally under wide segmental arched head (see CO140-032---). Section through broken face of E wall shows series of mural chambers at upper levels.
Castle of the O'Mahony clan reputedly built in 1310 (O'Mahony 1909, 123); surviving remains of 15th/16th century date.
Attacked and taken in 1562 and again in 1571 (Healy 1988, 211).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
Nearby in the register
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Ritual site - holy wellunder 1 mi
- Fish palaceunder 1 mi
- Standing stoneunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.