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

National Monument No. 351. Late thirteenth-century fortress consisting of rectangular court (c. 43m N-S, c. 46m E-W) enclosed by poorly defended curtain walls with double-towered gatehouse at centre of S wall. Low square towers on NE and SW angles and foundations of small square structure inside NW angle. Walls of squared granite bocks, irregularly coursed and enclosed by fosse (uncovered during excavations in 1955 (JRSAI 1962, 7). Rectangular gatehouse with two circular towers of three storeys flanking arched entranceway. Stairwells in wall thickness and machicolation over entrance to towers at second floor level. Small rectangular tower on NE angle, also excavated by de Paor. Of thirteenth-century date, reconstructed as cottage in eighteenth century. The SW angle tower (int. dims. 6m x 5.6m) has two storeys and has intermural passages and chambers. (JRSAI 1962, 1-14; Leask 1973, 72)