What is recorded here

Cloghan Castle is a ruined tower house on a small island in Lough Ine, County Cork, belonging to the O Driscoll clan. Its south-west corner still rises ten metres above a steep mound of rubble, preserving the springings of a wicker-centred vault and a single flat-headed light. The main structure collapsed around 1870, leaving behind overgrown wall traces and a ghostly outline where a guarded home once stood.

On E side of small island in Lough Ine, built on rock outcrop. SW corner of tower house stands (H c. 10m) at SW corner of steep-sided mound of rubble. On inside of S wall springings of wicker centered vault (axis E-W) just above level of rubble. Single flat-headed light visible on S face below level of mound. To E of mound overgrown remains of walled enclosure (c. 6m N-S) which may have abutted E side of tower; 7.5m to S traces of walling running c. 4m N-S. A castle of the O Driscoll clan (O Murchadha 1985, 178) which collapsed c. 1870 (Coleman 1926, 47). 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

Cloghan Castle was built by the McCarthy family, Lords of Carbery, in the 15th or 16th century. It is remembered as a strategic stronghold in the rugged terrain of West Carbery, reflecting the defensive architecture and territorial significance of the region during the late medieval period.

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