Old Tower

Rubble mound of collapsed circular tower, atop steep E side of Awbeg River valley, immediately W of Rockvale House. Tower collapsed after storm c. 1985, leaving mound of limestone rubble (H c. 1.5m; diam. c. 5m). Photograph (CAS, 1984) shows tower (H c. 6m) built of random-rubble limestone, with large 1st-floor window, topped by projecting stones cornice. According to owner, it was 3-storey over basement with door ope to E. Grove White (1905-25, vol. 4, 183) refers to tower as a columbarium; photograph (ibid. opp. 183) taken in 1906 shows circular tower, unroofed, with lintelled ground-floor door. However, present owner does not recall any nesting boxes within tower. Rockvale House, of mid-19th-century appearance; front elevation (N) is 3-bay, 2-storey with Wyatt windows; gable-ended, chimneys on gables; according to owner, replaced earlier house, some walls of which survive on W side of present house. Remains of stone-built tea house (14958) c. 400m to S. 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