Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

On E shore of Castle Haven estuary, partially collapsed, 4 storey rectangular tower (9.3m N-S; 9.6m E-W) built on rock outcrop. E wall and E ends of N and S walls fallen but otherwise standing to full height. Only upper portions of ground floor visible over depth of fallen rubble; lintelled window ope in S wall. First floor door at S end of E wall judging by recess to take open door at E end of S wall. Much damaged window opes inS , W and N walls; mural passage to W of window ope in S wall probably to garderobe though now damaged and altered. At 2nd floor level mural chambers in N ans S walls; chamber to S probably contains garde robe. Window ope in W wall blocked up; blocking has inserted lintelled door now also blocked up. This window has square headed light flanked by circular gun loops. Over 2nd floor pointed wicker centered vault (axis E-W) - broken at E end. Window opes in N, W and S walls at 3rd floor level all badly damaged. Gable atop W wall. Bartizan, held by 3 corbels atop SW corner. Gable-shaped recesses onS, W and N elevations have openings at apex for shooting through; similarf eatures at nearby Glandore castle (CO142-030---). Upper portions of W wall show damage done by impact of cannon balls; the result of a Cromwellian attack in 1649 according to Coleman (1922, 67); the castle also shows traces of burning on inside. A castle of the O'Donovan clan (O Murchadha 1985, 126) built late 16th/early 17th century.

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