Castle (in Ruins) — Castlelishen

In farmyard, on level pasture, c. 200m W of stream. Rectangular tower (c. 15.2m E-W, 9.3m N-S) standing to three storeys but originally higher. Entered through wide round-arched ope (Wth 2.1m) at W end of N wall; ope not original. This leads into small lobby from which similarly rebuilt ope leads S to ground-floor chamber; second doorway leads E to straight mural stairs. Ground-floor chamber (6.45m E-W; 4.8m N-S) lit by double-splayed lintelled slit windows in W and S walls. Breach (Wth 2.2m) in E wall probably former window, now partially built up with modern wall; breach (Wth 1.2m) at E end of S wall similarly built up. Straight stair rises to 1st-floor level at NE corner where it rises further as spiral stairs. Main 1st-floor chamber entered from top of straight stairs via pointed-arch door; chamber lit by slit window in W wall and E walls; latter much damaged; wide breach in wall at SE corner. At surviving E end of S wall, W side of a recess, with lintelled slit window, may have been mural chamber; possibly with garderobe. Pointed-arch door at W end of N wall gives access to vaulted mural chamber over doorway; chamber turns into thickness of W wall; breach in W wall. First-floor chamber covered by rounded vault (long axis E-W). Little survives above vault except for slender section of N wall which rises one further storey; E side of window embrasure survives. Three architectural fragments found locally probably came from castle: rectangular slab (0.8m x 0.6m) 'on which is carved the coat of arms of the Fitzgerald family' (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 110), now built into roadside wall beside castle, formerly placed over front door of adjacent country house (14873); stone with spiral motif carved in relief set in gate pier c. 200m to SW of tower house; stone with foliated decoration found in Curra townland c. 1.6km to WNW. Castle of the Fitzgeralds who were in possession until the present century (Ó Murchadha 1985, 150). 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