Monteen Castle (in Ruins) — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Mintlaw castle stands three storeys tall on rising ground near the Owenkeagh river, its ivy-clad walls marking a MacCarthy stronghold burnt by Crown forces in 1600. Inside, stone vaults stop short of the walls, leaving gaps bridged by overlapping slabs rather than finished masonry. That imperfection suggests desperate speed, perhaps a family reinforcing a home they expected to lose before the soldiers arrived.

Small ivy-clad tower (6m E-W; 5.6m N-S) on rising ground 200m NE of ford on Owenkeagh river; overlooked from N. Stands to three storeys but originally taller. Segmental vault (axis N-S) over ground floor with gap of 0.6m between edge of vault and N wall. Similarly, rounded vault (axis E-W) over 2nd floor stops short of E wall; intervening space covered by overlapping slabs. Doors in S wall at 1st- and 2nd-floor levels. First-floor window in E wall altered to take wooden-framed window. Immediately to E of tower are ruins of 18th/19th century house. Castle of the Tuath Mointin sept of MacCarthy Riabhach (Ó Murchadha 1985, 57); burnt by Crown forces in 1600 (Healy 1988, 276). 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

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.