Castle

Rahoneen Castle is situated on a rise at the edge of Carrahane Bay and has an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. This tower house is in a ruinous state and all that remains today are the ground and first floors, so that its original height cannot be ascertained. This castle sits at the NE corner of an irregularly shaped rise (KE020-058002-), which is 43m N-S and c 81m NE-SW. Within this area is a long narrow ridge extending from the W wall of the castle and travelling for 35m. At least six depressions, four incomplete, lie at various stages around the edge of the raised area. At the bottom of the rise to the NW is a rectangular stone structure, 7.6m x 12.5m externally, with walls 1.6m thick. There is a 2m wide opening on its S side towards the W wall. Further NW is a depression, 5m x 8m and .8m deep. These features are possibly connected to the castle and may have had some defensive function. The castle itself measures 9.8m x 7.2m externally and its walls are c 1.5m thick. The main entrance would appear to have been situated in the W wall on the first floor. The steps in the NW corner start 2m from the level of the ground, so the ground floor was probably a storage area and did not contain the main entrance. Architecturally, the castle is fairly bare due to its ruined state. No fireplace survives. However, there is a segmental pointed arch on the doorway to the staircase, and the remains of a garderobe on the W wall. Very little would appear to have been recorded about this castle. Smith (1756) states that it was formerly the residence of the Bishop of Ardfert and O'Donovan (1841) says it was destroyed by Cromwell. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 1014. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

Rahoneen Castle was built in the 16th or 17th century by an unidentified local family, likely for defensive purposes during a period of political instability in Ireland. It is remembered as a typical example of a tower house, reflecting the architectural and social history of the region during the early modern period.