Coolkerry Castle (in ruins)

Reference to a castle here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 222). Situated at S end of a N-S ridge with Coolkerry church (LA028-061----) on a ridge 70m to NE, and Erkina River immediately to the S, with wet marshy land to the S and E of the castle site. No visible surface remains. Site of castle indicated by low natural hillock with shallow depression on top of this hillock. Described by Carrigan as ' About 70 yards south of the church (LA028-061----) stood the castle of Coolkerry (LA028-062----) but nothing of it remains, with the exception of a cellar, which has been closed up' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 341). 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

A local castle; wider significance not recorded.