Castle

Known as Skiddy's Castle; built in 1445 by John Skiddy, bailiff and later mayor of Cork; demolished shortly after 1770. Excavation (Twohig 1974, 12) on site uncovered house (int. L 8.4m; int. Wth 5.6m; wall thickness 4.4m), surviving to 1st floor level; built upon floating foundation of oak raft, held in position by vertical timbers. Mantle-piece, said to have come from here, now built into front wall of 13 North Main Street above 3rd floor window; decorated with crescent arch in high relief, stylised ivy leaf, rope mouldings, quatrefoils etc. and inscription "N.G. 1597 G.S." (Bradley et al. 1985, 31). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Built by John Skiddy, bailiff and later mayor of Cork, in 1445; it is remembered as one of the few surviving medieval tower houses in Cork City before its demolition around 1770. Its excavation provided valuable insights into late medieval domestic architecture in Ireland.