What is recorded here

Castlefreke began as a Barry tower house in the 15th century, then passed to Arthur Freke, who held it through an unsuccessful Irish siege in 1642. The castle is mostly gone beneath 19th-century farm buildings, but a rounded arch, thick walls and a filled-in cannon bastion still mark the coachyard. What remains is less a castle than a shadow in stone, waiting for someone to remember the shape of the room it once guarded.

Overlooking Rahavarrig Lough and Long Strand to S and stream to W; land sloping down gently to N and E. According to Gillman (1897, 7) built by Randal Oge Barry in 15th century but by 1642 in possession of Arthur Freke when subjected to prolongued and unsuccessful siege by Irish forces (Gillman 1897, 1-20). Site now occupied by 19th century farm buildings of Castlefreke estate. Little of earlier defences survive: at SE corner of coachyard rounded arch (axis E-W) covering rectangular area (7.3m x 4.1m), springs from two noticably thick walls (Wth 1.2m) though now much altered and rebuilt. To S and W site skirted by tall revetment wall built against rock face. Projecting from this to south is semi-hexagonal bastion with blocked-up semicircular arched opes which appear to have been for cannon (Gillman 1897, 5); bastion now filled-in and top level with ground inside. Farmyard now being converted into folk park. 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

Rathbarry Castle was built in the 15th century by Randal Oge Barry and later came into the possession of the Freke family by 1642. It is remembered for its strategic location and as a historical marker of the Barry and Freke families' influence in the region.

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