Licklash Castle (in Ruins) — Licklash

Near cliff edge, overlooking Blackwater River to S. Fragmentary ivy-covered ruins of two-phase structure. Remains of earlier phase consist of sections of E wall (L 10m) and N wall (L c. 7.5m) of crudely built structure standing one storey high (wall T c. 1m). Later rectangular tower (c. 7.5 E-W; c. 6.8m N-S; wall T c. 2.5m), built on N side of earlier structure, incorporates N wall of latter (E walls of both structures in line). Short sections of walling along cliff-edge to SE and S probably remains of bawn wall; S section (H c. 0.5m) has traces of ope, possibly gun-loop (see plans in Cotter 1994, 89-90). Earlier structure has two tall slit windows in E wall with crudely built rounded masonry arches and widely splayed embrasures. At broken W end of N wall are traces of E jamb and springing stones of arched doorway, blocked by building of tower; drawbar socket (0.2m x 0.2m) extends eastwards from doorway, exiting through side of window to E. Added tower stands four storeys high, with vaults over ground and second floors; upper levels of walls collapsed. Gable-shaped mortar line on N wall of tower indicates former building of which no other trace can be seen. Base batter on W wall, batter on E wall robbed out; NE corner rebuilt. Inserted 19th-century ground-floor doorway in N wall leads into vaulted chamber (2.9m E-W; 3.1m N-S); damaged splayed door ope at W end of S wall. Recent open-well wooden staircase leads in two flights from SE corner through opening in vault to NW corner of 1st-floor chamber. At 1st-floor level, main chamber (3.19m N-S; 3.13m E-W) lit by slit windows in N and W walls, both damaged; at N end of E wall lintelled doorway leads to original spiral stairs in NE corner and mural passage in E wall. Passage runs S to lintelled doorway from which recent steps lead down to top of adjoining E wall of earlier structure; floor of passage now lower than original level. Stairs rise in NE corner to 2nd- and 3rd-floor levels; 2nd-floor chamber (3.2m N-S; 3.15m E-W) entered through doorway in E side of window embrasure in N wall; small rectangular ope with slopstone to E of window. Similar embrasure in W wall held slit window. Floor of chamber carried on corbels in each corner; wicker-centred vault overhead (long axis N-S). Door in NE corner of chamber leads to spiral stairs rising to 3rd-floor chamber. Latter (4.3m x 4.3m), now unroofed, and with recent concrete floor; walls stand to c. 1m H except for SE corner which stands c. 3m H; traces of embrasure ingoings in E and S walls. Hole (c. 2m x 1m; D c. 1m) recently dug immediately outside SE corner of tower. Earlier part of structure possibly 13th century hall, tower probably added in 16th century (for similar arrangement see Castlebarrett, 9463). Sketch of 1844 shows castle in more complete condition with small tower in S wall of earlier structure (O'Flanagan 1844, 77). Castle of the Roches, passed to Hendleys in 17th century (Healy 1988, 419). 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