What is recorded here

Kilcoe Castle stands on a rocky island at the north end of Roaringwater Bay, its six-storey corner tower rising above the main four-storey block like a watchful finger pointing at the sea. Clan Dermod held this stone refuge until Crown forces broke through in 1603, ending a lengthy siege that likely tested every murkily lit chamber and narrow mural passage. The identical stone heads flanking the south window still face outward, perhaps watching the water where rowing boats once carried frightened people into the dark.

Rectangular tower-house (12m E-W; 9.9m N-S) with conjoined tower at NE corner (6.15m E-W; 6.3m N-S), at N end small rocky island on N shore of Roaringwater Bay (island now connected to mainland by bridge). Main tower of four storeys; corner tower of six storeys. Doors in S wall at ground and 1st floor level. Ground floor chamber lit by simple light in S wall. Straight mural stairs rises from E side of 1st floor door giving access to 1st floor itself and to 3rd floor at SE corner. First floor chamber lit only through doorways to mural passages in E, N and W walls. Pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W) over unlit 2nd floor attic. Third floor chamber has large central windows on each face covered by segmental vaults; W window has pair of stone seats; S window flanked by pair of identical stone heads on outside. East wall recessed under segmental relieving arch (see CO140-045---). First floor of corner tower entered via mural passage in N wall from main 1st floor chamber; manhole through vaulted floor gives access to unlit dungeon; garderobe chamber in S wall. Second floor entered via mural passage in E wall from main 1st floor chamber; pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W) overhead. Third floor entered from main 3rd floor chamber. Fourth floor entered via long mural passageway rising from E ingoing of central window in S wall of main 3rd floor chamber, leading through full length of E wall; garderobe chamber in S wall; door in W wall gives access to stairway to 5th floor over pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W). Castle of Clan Dermod branch of MacCarthy Riabhach (O'Murchadha 1985, 54). Taken by Crown forces in 1603 after lengthy siege (Coleman 1927, 97). See Excavations 1998, 20, no. 79; Excavations 2001, 44, no. 184 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

Built in the late 15th or early 16th century by the McCarthy family, a powerful Gaelic clan in southwest Ireland, Kilcoe Castle is remembered for its strategic location on Roaringwater Bay and its role in the defense and control of the region during the late medieval period.

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