Ballyheen Castle (Site of) — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Rockfield House still holds castle arches and large stones salvaged from the ruined site, proving the castle gave up its bones rather than disappearing. The outcrop overlooks the Awbeg River, while a faint circular bank and shallow ditch preserve the shape of its vanished courtyard. What is missing is not imagination but time: towers, roofs, rooms and the people who used them have returned to rain, soil and memory.

On rock outcrop overlooking Awbeg River c. 80m to SE, with flat low-lying ground on other sides; only scatter of stones marks site of castle. To SE of site subcircular area (diam. c. 38m) defined by low earthen bank (H c. 0.25m) and shallow external fosse (Wth 2m) may be associated with castle. According to owner of Rockfield House (c. 400m to NE), 'all the old arches and large stones...here [in farmyard] belonged to the old castle' (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 213). Traces of raised causeway survive, approaching site from W; according to Grove White (ibid. vol. 4, 168) this once incorporated 'a very ancient arched bridge', which Bowman (1934, 409) noted had been replaced by wooden bridge 'about 50 years ago.' The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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