Bawn in Oldcourt (carbery West (e.d) By.)

Rectangular tower-house (9m E-W; 7.3m N-S) on E shore of estuary Ilen river. Tower stands to four storeys but was originally at least a floor higher. On N and W side of tower are remains much altered and poorly preserved bawn enclosure. Tower entered by doors at ground and 1st floor levels in W wall. First floor door gives access to mural chamber to S over ground floor doorway (portcullis slit in floor); mural stairs to N, rising as spiral stairs inNW corner to give access to 2nd and 3rd floors over wicker-centered vault. Vault, over unlit 1st floor attic. Second floor windows covered by segmental vaults with stone seats along in goings. Small fireplaces in S wall at 2nd and 3rd floor levels. Mural chamber in W wall at 3rd floor level. Traces of centering supports for a second vault over 3rd floor but vault itself entirely fallen. Castle of O'Driscoll clan taken by Crown forces after Battle of Kinsale (Coleman 1908, 45). See Excavations 2003, 71. 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

Built by the Fitzgerald family, Lords of Carbery, in the late 15th or early 16th century, Bawn in Oldcourt is remembered as a key defensive structure in the Carbery West region during the Gaelic lordship era. Its strategic location on the estuary of the Ilen River highlights its importance in controlling local trade and communications.