What is recorded here

Castlehaven is a three-storey tower house on the west shore of Castle Haven, built to command the outer estuary for the O Driscoll clan. Spanish forces garrisoned it in 1601, and gun loops still cut the north face. The structure collapsed in 1926, leaving only battered wall faces at ground level and the base of a garderobe chute. What remains is a sharp maritime boundary marker: a house built to watch water, then removed by time.

On W shore of Castle Haven with view commanding outer part of estuary; overlooked from W. Only battered face of N and E walls survives at ground level. Base of garderobe chute on N face. Photo of c. 1926 (Coleman 1926, 43) shows tower-house of three storeys with rounded vault over 1st floor; W wall entirely fallen; recessed gable-shaped gun loops on N face (see CO142-082---). Remains fell in 1926 (Healy 1988, 197). Castle of the O Driscoll clan, garrisoned by Spanish forces in 1601 (Burke 1905, 12-14). 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 in the 13th century, Castle Haven was held by the FitzGeralds, Earls of Desmond, and later by the Blake family. It is remembered for its strategic position controlling access to the estuary and its role in regional coastal defense.

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