Mogeely Castle (in Ruins) — Mogeely Lower

On S shoulder of river Bride flood plain; partially built on rock outcrop. Roughly square area (c. 46m E-W; c. 44m N-S) enclosed by partially surviving bawn wall; interior now used as farmyard with concrete yard and two recent galvanised-roofed sheds, also in yard a number of abandoned 19th century farmbuildings and cottage. Bawn wall best preserved to W (H c. 4m)and N (H c. 5m); S half of E wall and central part of S wall removed. W wall has lean-to farmbuilding (formerly milking parlour) built against its inside face. Parallel to N wall, and c. 1.8m inside it, is gabled one-storey cottage (only internal structure shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map), no longer inhabited. At SW corner traces of rectangular structure (c. 17m E-W; c. 10m N-S), surviving in two portions, now separated by redundant 19th century gateway into farmyard at SW corner. End wall to W is extension of W bawn wall but at slightly inturned angle; at approximately ground and 1st floor level wall notably thicker than surviving 2nd floor section, which appears to be later addition. Also addition is shell of spiral stairs, built against N end. Section to E consists of part of S wall (L c. 11m) and short return of E wall, with rectangular projection at E end of S wall (3.2m N-S; 4m E-W). These form back and side walls for farmbuilding, with lean-to roof, which extends 5.2m (to N) into yard. Part of S wall stands above line of lean-to roof, showing window embrasure near E end; light entirely gone and blocked-up, base covered by slates of roof; sides of embrasure splayed wide towards inside, as is rounded arch overhead. Overgrown NE corner of bawn contains fragmentary ruins of farmbuildings and indications of earlier structure; arched ope (Wth 1.45m) near E end of N wall leads into small chamber (1.7m N-S; 1.2m E-W) covered by pointed vault (axis N-S); most of W wall fallen. Butt joints show this is addition against outside face of bawn wall. On external N face of projection is exit chute for garderobe. At N end of E bawn wall is gap (Wth c. 1m), now closed by later wall; N wall appears to project beyond line of E wall; possibly remains of corner projection. Core of remains may be 13th century in date; window ope in S wall of 'hall' very similar to opes in Ballyderown keep (O'Keeffe 1984, 56, fig. 17) dated to 'between c. 1190 and c. 1220' (ibid.), which has similar dimensions (18.7mx 12.8m) to structure at SW corner. Ballyderown also has late medieval built-on garderobe tower, similar to here. Earliest reference cited by Waters (1916, 162) refers to 1404 when 'Earl of Desmond acquired Mogeely Castle from Knight of Kerry'; according to Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 357) 'once the splendid residence of Thomás, Earl of Desmond'; during Desmond rebellion 'it was reduced by Queen Elizabeth's forces' (ibid.). Part of Walter Raleigh's seignory in Munster Plantation (Walters 1916, 98-100); garrisoned by settlers during 1598-9 uprising when besieged for four months (MacCarthy-Morrogh 1986, 136). From 1610-1628 official residence of Sir William St Leger, Lord President of Munster. Besieged again and taken by Earl of Castlehaven in 1645 who had 'fourpieces of ordnance against it, discharging 12 shott' (Waters ibid., 101). Ruins described in 1750 as remains of 'very large and stately building' (Smith 1750, vol. 1, 152). See also 'Excavations 1991', 9-10. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009