Kilnatoora Castle

Immediately S of sheer rock face (H c. 10m), at S edge of Tourig river valley; Cornaveigh Castle (CO067-005---) visible c. 800m to NW. Remains of 5-storey ivy-clad rectangular tower (14.5m N-S; 8.6m E-W); walls stand to wall-walk level except S wall, which has largely collapsed. Entered at ground level by door in S wall of which only lower jamb stones survive.This gives access to lobby with vaulted roof, the outer part of which is collapsed; inner part covered by murder hole. The lobby gives access straight through to main chamber (8.13m N-S; 4.5m E-W), and E to small rectangular chamber with stair well at E end, in SE corner of tower, which rises as spiral stairs to top of tower, giving access to upper floors. In S wall of chamber at foot of stairwell is slit window with circular gun loop (diam. 0.2m) through sill. Main ground floor chamber lit by windows in E, N and W wall; square-set segmental-arched embrasures; single flat-headed lights in N and E windows; single ogee-headed light to W. No door from stairwell to 1st floor level, this chamber probably entered by outer door in S wall, now fallen. Also largely fallen is smaller mural chamber in S wall at this level. Lintelled door survives in S wall of main chamber; this floor lit by central window in N wall; square-set embrasure covered by rounded arch, narrow flat-headed light. Rounded wicker-centred vault (axis N-S) covers main 1st floor chamber. At 2nd floor level, small mural chamber in S wall entered from landing off spiral stairs; almost entirely fallen. Main 2nd floor chamber also entered from landing. Central square-set window embrasures, covered by segmental, wicker-centred vaults, in N and E wall; lights gone. Similar embrasure in centre of W wall with tall narrow flat-headed light; vault over embrasure collapsed but above it quarried flue visible, on S side of embrasure rough outline survives of circular opening resembling bread oven; it appears that light was blocked and embrasure used as fireplace. At S end of W wall lintelled door leads into base of straight mural stairway rising to N; stairs collapsed. Main 3rd floor chamber entered via short mural passage from spiral stairs; mural passage lit by window with ogee-headed light. Central square-set window embrasure in N wall with flat-headed light. Central part of W wall collapsed revealing mural chamber entered from stairway at 2nd floor level; access to this chamber not gained but may contain garderobe (exit for garderobe chute near ground at N end of W wall). Again most of small mural chamber in S wall gone, as has similar chamber at 4th floor level. Rounded vault covers main 3rd floor chamber (axis N-S), small collapse at centre. Main 4th floor chamber probably entered from stairwell at SE corner but this area now very ruinous. Central square-set window embrasure in E and N wall: double ogee-headed light in E window, single ogee-headed light to N. Similar embrasure, with double ogee-headed light, near S end of W wall, missing mullion; N ingoing of embrasure much collapsed but straight mural stairs, now blocked, rise from here to L-shaped chamber in NW corner, now visible through broken opening in wall, probably containing a garderobe; Grose (Stalley 1991, 30) shows slit light for chamber at N end of W wall. Wall-walk not accessible but two chimney stacks atop W wall; part of battlements survive at E end of S wall. Coleman (1910, 181) and Healy (1988, 142) mention 'traces of bawn are still remaining .. amongst them being one of the ruined angle turrets'; Grose (Stalley, ibid.), depicting site in early 19th century, shows a round corner tower to S of tower house, with short length of wall running N and longer length running W; not seen. Built by branch of Fitzgeralds of Imokilly; in 1645 besieged by Lord Castlehaven who bombarded it and breached wall (Redmond 1918, 148), however it appears that much of the damage on S side of tower resulted from nearby quarrying for building stone in 19th century (Coleman 1910, 178-9). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 16/1933).

Kilnatoora Castle is believed to have been built by the O'Donnell clan in the 16th century as a defensive stronghold in the rugged landscape of west Donegal. Its strategic position near the Tourig river valley and proximity to other local castles highlight its historical significance in the region's Gaelic lordship.