What is recorded here

Indicated is a ruined two-storey windmill standing inside a ringfort on Windmill Hill in County Cork. Its thick limestone wall still rises beside shallow depression, while five leaning wooden posts mark the vanished scaffold or gallery that once ringed it. Locals called the castle, a name that fits because the structure still guards the centre of the old earthwork like a forgotten chamber. What is missing has not stopped the mill from speaking; its curve, door openings and joist holes still describe a building that turned wind into daily life.

On top of a Windmill Hill, in centre of ringfort (12827). In centre of shallow depression (diam. c. 13.35m; D 0.5m) is southern arc (C 4.39m) of circular 2-storey windmill (H 4.2m), built atop slight stone plinth (H 0.1m; D 0.2m). Surviving portion is plastered over coursed rubble limestone walling (wall thickness 1.22m); external wall tapers slightly inward with height. At regular intervals, c. 40m outside external wall and following the curve of the building, are five decomposing wooden posts inclining inwards (H c. 0.88m; diam. c. 0.25m). Remains of door opes in E and W walls. Two wooden posts incline and touch internal walls adjacent to door opes, similar to external posts. Three large joist holes (c. Wth 0.27m; H 0.35m; D 0.9m) in internal wall, with ledge directly overhead between ground and first floor. Small stone-framed window in S wall at 1st-floor level. Known locally as a castle. Shown as small circular structure on 1842 OS 6-inch map. 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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