What is recorded here

Derrylemlary Castle stands as a three-storey rectangular tower on a low rock outcrop in County Cork, Ireland, built for the Crimeen branch of MacCarthy Riabhach. People lived inside until the 19th century, modifying doors and windows for wooden frames while ivy climbed the walls. The spiral stairs in the north-west corner still rise through every room, linking the vaulted lobby to the wall walk above.

Rectangular tower (7.05m N-S; 10.6m E-W) on low rock outcrop on W bank of stream, in isolated boggy area. Tower of three storeys; partially ivy-clad. Lived in up to 19th century (Healy 1988, 247); door and window opes modified to take wooden frames. Entered at ground level by central door in W wall; vaulted lobby gives access to spiral stairs in NW corner which rise to full height tower, giving access to all rooms and to wall walk. Area over lobby occupied by smaller rooms; main rooms to E. Pair of gun loops in W wall at 1st floor level. Bartizan atop SW corner now obscured by ivy. Castle of the Crimeen branch of MacCarthy Riabhach (Ó Murchadha 1985, 56). 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

Derrylemlary Castle was likely built by a local Gaelic family in the late medieval period, possibly as a defensive structure in a strategically remote location. It is remembered for its relative longevity, being inhabited up to the 19th century, and for its well-preserved tower, which provides insight into early Irish castle architecture.

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