What is recorded here

Cody's Castle in Castletown stood almost perfect in 1800, but time and perhaps human cruelty reduced it to a single SE gable. That wall still rises three storeys high, built of limestone slabs thick enough to suggest defiance. The missing rooms may have housed fear, joy or ordinary life, yet the surviving gable preserves the shape of what was lost.

Known as 'Cody's Castle', this tower house was in almost perfect condition in 1800 (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 281). Now only the SE gable survives (Wth c. 8.4m, wall T c. 1.25m), three storeys high, and is constructed of limestone slabs. A slight base-batter is visible. The entrance was towards the E end of gable; and remains of a segmental pointed arch window visible towards the S end. Evidence of a N-S barrel-vault over ground floor. Foundations of bawn wall (LA028-042001-) are visible to the W. Described by Carrigan as 'Cody's castle from which it was originally called, stood within a raised area, enclosed by a wall, now almost entirely broken down. In 1800 the castle, was almost perfect, but most of it has been destroyed since then. At present all that remains is part of a side-wall 30 or 40 ft. high and eleven feet thick at the ground.' (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 281). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Cody's Castle, a 16th-century tower house, was likely built by a local Gaelic family or minor noble for defensive purposes during the late medieval period. It is remembered for its near-perfect condition into the early 19th century and as a rare surviving example of early Irish tower house architecture in the region.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.