Carrig Castle (in Ruins)

Near cliff-edge, overlooking Blackwater River to S. Probably a rectangular tower though only E wall (L 8.8m; T 1.9m) with returns of N wall (L 6m) and S wall (L 4m), now stand, to slightly over 1st-floor level; both surviving corners rounded (Cotter 1994, 101). No trace of main doorway survives, but was apparently at ground level near E end of S wall, where mural stairs rise E from ground to 1st-floor level; outer wall of stairs collapsed, steps obscured by grass-covered rubble. At foot of stairs foundations of E jamb and ingoing of doorway to ground-floor chamber survive. Little of latter chamber (4.08m N-S) is left: breach (Wth 1.9m) in E wall; single corbel overhead on N wall indicates position of original timber ceiling; row of joist sockets (0.1m x 0.1m) on E wall are late insertions. Spiral stairs rise in SE corner from top of mural stairs; at 1st-floor level NE jamb of doorway to main chamber survives. Latter roofed by pointed wicker-centred vault (long axis E-W). Only E ingoing of window in N wall survives; wide window embrasure in E wall covered by flat wicker-centred vault, present light inserted as head of earlier ogee-headed light still present. Castle of the Roches, Viscounts Fermoy (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 30); in the possession of Richard Gethin in 1654, who carried out repairs on the castle (ibid., 32). 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

Carrig Castle was likely built in the 15th or 16th century by an Anglo-Irish family, possibly the Fitzgeralds, who held significant land in the region. Its strategic position overlooking the Blackwater River highlights its historical importance in controlling local trade and defense in the area.