Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007

Thirteenth-century fortress of roughly coursed granite rubble with extensive remodelling and additions. Originally square courtyard enclosed by curtain walls. Complex range of buildings subsequently developed at E side. No visible trace of S wall or gatehouse. Rectangular towers at SE, SW and NW angles and foundations of possible tower at NE. Enclosed by fosse at base of walls, visible now only at N and W, with outer fosse c. 40m to N. SE tower: modified and incorporated in E range of halls. Barrel-vaulted ground floor with two floors above. Large garderobe attached NE angle of tower. Cross loop and gargoyle at wall walk level. SW tower: barrel-vaulted ground floor, plus unknown number of upper floors. NW tower: badly damaged. Spiral stairs in NW leading to upper floors and wall walks. Garderobe chute exit on N wall. (Leask 1973, 72)