Bawn in Rathmore North

Rathmore Castle (LI031-019----) and bawn described in 1840 as 'a square Castle of remarkable height about seventy feet and measuring thirty feet six inches on the outside from north to south and thirty six feet four inches from east to west. Its walls are six feet nine inches thick and remarkably well built. There seem to have been outworks but they are not now traceable' (O'Flanagan 1929, 116). Westropp (1906-7, 176-7) recorded the following details about Rathmore Castle and bawn; '1583 "Rathmore, a large C[astle]. in parts ruinous, with a barbican, ruined on the north, and a courtyard, enclosed with a stone wall in great decay. There are in the same C[astle]. divers necessary places, or bedrooms, strongly built for defence," with an iron door. Granted by the Earl, and Elinor, his wife, to Maur. Sheighan for 99 years, at a peppercorn rent (Des. R., 6; Peyton, p. 14). 1600 Surrendered to Carew by the followers of the Sugan Earl (Pacat. Hib.). 1615 Jas. Casey settled it on T. Casey, who, in 1637, bequeathed it to his daughters. They held it and a mill-seat in 1655 (Inq. Chan.,198; C.S., xxxi., p. 15)'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2020

Rathmore Castle, including its bawn, was built in the late 15th or early 16th century by the Fitzgeralds, Gaelicized Norman lords of the region. It is remembered as a significant example of late medieval Irish castle architecture and as a stronghold of the powerful Desmond dynasty.