Ballyhindon Castle (in Ruins)

On cliff edge, overlooking Funshion River valley, on site of castle (14284). Three-storey house, of late17th/early 18th century appearance, of which only S wall, and short return of W wall (int. L 2.1m), now stands. Random-rubble limestone construction. East end of S wall now butts against 19th century farm buildings. Surviving section 3-bays (int. L c. 11m) wide at ground-floor level but only two westerly bays stand to 3rd-floor level. Central bay on ground floor possibly a door ope. Linteled rectangular window opes, with flat relieving arch immediately over lintels; openings reduced in width by masonry blocking. Dressed limestone quoins on SW corner may be reused from earlier structure. Down Survey (1655-6) barony map depicts a house here. Windele (1897, 378) visited site is 1899 and saw 'remains of a castle of the elder period, and of a strong house of the 17th century...dismantled about 40 years'. Present remains likely to be that of 'strong house', no longer any evident remains of castle. 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