What is recorded here

Carnew Castle stands as a brooding three-storey stone mass on Main Street, its granite rubble barely hidden beneath cracked render. Built in the late 16th century, it survived abandonment and royal re-roofing to become a private home where shadows still move through gothic arches. The curved bay and bartizan watch the street like ancient sentinels, preserving the town's restless memory in every weathered joint.

Detached multiple-bay three-storey over basement former tower house, built in the late 16th century. The building is now in use as a private home. The earlier castle fell into disuse and was abandoned during the later 17th and early 18th century and was re-roofed by the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, in the early 19th century. It was used as a rectory some time in the 19th century; post WWII it became a private home. The building is finished in render, however much of this has crumbled away to reveal a granite rubble construction. To the south elevation is a projecting three-storey curved bay while to the north-west is a bartizan. The front door is recessed within a gothic-arched opening with moulded stone surround. Window openings are a mixture of flat-headed openings with gothic-arched heads to others. Frames are generally timber sash. The roof structure is entirely hidden behind a castellated parapet. It is slightly set back behind a tall castellated stone wall which incorporates early 19th-century lean-to stables which were later part re-built, altered and extended.

This is a late medieval castle which although it has undergone various refurbishments, it still retains a brooding presence. It is an important physical manifestation of the interesting history of the town.

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.