What is recorded here

Na Púícíní, the little huts, rose in the late 15th century when builders forced a tower, wall and turret across the narrow neck of an older promontory. The central vaulted chamber still stands with a defaced door and a western slit, while the nearby turret has lost two metres of its north-east angle to erosion. What is missing has not vanished without a trace; the sea, rain and forgetting have simply taken back the parts they wanted.

Pookeenee Castle (Na Púícíní - the little huts), which consists of a small tower, a wall and turret, were additions across the neck of an earlier promontory (KE004 -019001-), and was probably constructed around the late 15th century. Westropp (1909) states that the tower, which is situated at the S end of the wall, had 'three little vaulted rooms in the basement'. All that remains now is the central room, 3m x 2.3m, with a defaced door and a small slit window to the W. Westropp also mentions that to the NW of the central vault, stopping short of the window, were traces of a wood and earth hall that had been attached to the tower. No surface trace of this can be seen today. A wall extends N of the tower for c 13m, where it ends in a gateway. Just N of this again are the remains of a turret, 9.2m wide x 5.2m long. Its NE angle has been undercut by as much as 2m. The walls E and W measure 5.2m long, 3.8m-4m high and 1m thick. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 996. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

Pookeenee Castle was likely built in the late medieval period, with its name suggesting possible Gaelic origins, and is remembered for its strategic location on a promontory, offering defensive advantages in the region.

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