Why this matters
A ringwork at Castlefarm, likely built in the 12th or 13th century by a local Norman or Anglo-Norman lord, served as a defensive outpost in a low-lying region. It is remembered as an example of early medieval military architecture adapted to the local landscape.
What is recorded here
On a local rise, in an otherwise lowlying level area. A roughly oval platform (c. 40m NW-SE; c. 30m NE-SW; H c. 1.8m), now incorporated into the garden immediately in front of Molahiffe Castle, now known as Castlefarm, a 19th-century country house (Barry 1994, 68). A curving random rubble wall (H c. 1.8m) along the SW arc of the platform may be associated with the country house. The surface of the platform forms a garden lawn. Probably the remains of an earthwork castle built by Thomas Fitzmaurice, who was granted these lands by King John in the late 12th century (ibid., 184). The remains of Molahiffe Castle (KE048-039----), a late-medieval towerhouse, stand in the SW quadrant of the platform.
Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.
Date of upload: 31 January 2011
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