Macroney Castle

On plateau, overlooking Araglin River to SE. Rectangular 3-storey tower (11.2m E-W, 7.5m N-S) which has been completely renovated, with single-storey porch added on S side, 2-storey addition on E side (known as coach-house) and two single-storey additions to N side; all now form private residence. Slated hipped roof within recent crenellated parapets; tower may originally have been higher. Bartizan, supported by three tapering corbels, on wall-top at SW corner; corbels on NE corner formerly supported similar bartizan. Base batter (H c. 1.1m) evident on all exposed faces of tower. Disused chimney flue projects from N wall. Ground-floor entrance set in porch at E end of S wall; Mansergh family crest on keystone of arch over doorway; concrete hood moulding overhead. Ground floor lit by two narrow windows with recent hood-mouldings in S wall and similar window in W wall without hood moulding. First and 2nd-floor windows all of recent appearance. Interior not surveyed. All original stonework of N and E walls obscured by recent additions. South and W walls repaired with raised pointing. Ground-floor windows on S wall of extension to E have recent hood mouldings identical to those on tower. Castle of the Condons, granted to Mansergh family in late 17th century (Healy 1988, 421). 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

Built by the MacMahon family in the 17th century, Macroney Castle, Macroney Lower is remembered as a fine example of a restored Irish tower house, reflecting the defensive and residential architecture of the Gaelic aristocracy in the pre-plantation period.