Fieries Castle (in ruins)

On a rock outcrop is the fragmentary remains of a rectangular tower (int. dims. 8.85m E-W; 5.8m N-S), now heavily encased by ivy. The ground-floor appears to be occupied by a single chamber which was covered by a rounded vault which is almost entirely fallen. The best preserved ope is a window midway along the W wall. This has a splayed embrasure with a segmental-arched head, and a narrow lintelled light. All of the other opes appear to be badly ruined; there was probably a central window in the N and S walls and a doorway in the E wall. There are two wall presses in N and S walls and one in the W wall. Only part of the walling above ground-floor level survives. In 1841 the Ordnance Survey recorded that; 'In the Townland of Fieries (Foighre) in this Parish are the ruins of another Castle of the same name with the Townland; it stands on a high rock in a valley. According to the tradition in the Country this Castle of Foighre and those of Cluain Maolain and Magh Laithimh belonged to three brothers of the Mc Carthys' (OSL). Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011