What is recorded here

Rosscarbery still holds the north and east walls of Captain Robert Gookin's fort, built between 1641 and 1652. The northeast bastion rises four metres above the land, its thick stone edge marking the angle where gunfire once flew. A square shape with pointed corners appeared on a 1788 map, but only ghost lines and overgrown wall remain now. The fort stopped being a complete weapon long before it became a ruin, yet its angle still cuts across the town lands like a forgotten command.

In Rosscarbery (CO143-099----). Fort built 1641-52 by Captain Robert Gookin (Kerrigan 1980, 16). Depicted as square structure, with pointed bastions at each corner, on 1788 map now on display in Ross Cathedral (CO143-023008- ). Outline of N wall (56m E-W), E wall (45m N-S) and NE corner bastion (square in plan) survives as high wall (ext. H c. 4m; wall thickness 0.6m); overgrown in parts; possibly incorprating remains of original walls of fort. 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

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