What is recorded here

Caherdrinny Castle stands trapped inside a ruined circular wall on the hilltop, proving the fortress belonged to a much older fortified camp. Grove White measured the thick stone in 1852 and searched for hidden stairs like those in Kerry, but found only collapsing rubble and radial walls reaching toward the tower. The castle likely reused the ancient enclosure as its own defensive bawn, layering medieval power upon older forgotten hands.

Within larger hilltop enclosure (CO019-09703-), enclosing top of hill and Caherdrinny Castle (CO019-09702-). Circular area (c. 62.5m N-S; c. 61.8m E-W) enclosed by low collapsing stone wall (int. H 0.25m-1.25m; ext. H 0.5m - 2.55m). Wall is very ruinous N->S with some indications of structures built into it to NE and E; line of large sandstone blocks retains external wall face S->SSW; foundations of overgrown structure against outer wall face to NW. Entrance (Wth 2m) to S. Interior uneven with ruinous remains of radial walls running from inner wall face to castle; low foundations of rectangular building (max. H 0.5m; int. dims. 9.8m E-W, 3.85m N-S; wall Wth 0.9m) just inside wall in NW quadrant. Ruinous remains of radial walls run externally from outer wall face. Windele (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, 144), c. 1852 called it a 'Cahir' and noted wall '15 ft thick and 8 ft high' with exterior 'in tolerable condition...interior face much fallen in wherever it retains its perpendicularity.' He examined it for 'those flights of steps or stairs found in the Kerry Cahirs' but found none. Enclosure probably reused as bawn for tower house at centre; some of internal features may be contemporary with tower house. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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