Carrigadrohid Castle (in Ruins) — Carrigadrohid

Built on low rocky island in river Lee (see Harbison 1991b, 80-1; Windele 1844, 250; Nyhan 1930, 23) but now, due to Lee Valley Hydro-electric Scheme (Fahy 1956b), standing in water; road bridge (CO071-062002-) over river abuts E wall. Remains consist of 3-storey rectangular tower (int. 15.8m E-W; 5.6m N-S), much altered and repaired at various stages, and annexe tower built against centre of N wall. On exterior S face of tower vertical line of quoins, which survives to first floor level, shows former extent of tower, which was then extended c. 4m to E. This extension is probably earlier than annexe tower. Further minor alterations due to castle being occupied into mid 18th-century (Healy 1985, 31), whilst in more recent times W part of tower used as handball alley. Consequently castle presents a jumble offeatures; very detailed survey would be needed to decipher its exact evolution. Present entrance is from road bridge through rough break in centre of E wall at 1st-floor level; this gives access to flight of stone steps leading down to present ground level (original floor somewhat lower). Ground floor has two blocked window opes in S wall and quarried pasage near centre of N wall leading from annexe tower. First floor has blocked window in centre of W wall and near E end of N wall; quarried passage in N wall leads from annexe tower, immediately W of which is built-up doorway from W side of annexe. Door near E end of S wall gives access to lintelled mural chamber (4.7m E-W; 1.1m N-S), in S wall of which is inverted-keyhole gun loop (at slightly lower level and c. 3m to W similar gun loop visible on same external wall face for which there is no apparent opening inside). Between 1st- and 2nd-floor levels is deep horizontal ledge on internal S wall, which stops c. 2m short of SW corner where wall retains same thickness as lower levels; latter section houses two small fireplaces which feed rectangular stack above. Above ledge, at 2nd-floor level, are three windows on S wall, each embrasure covered by segmental vault; window to W has much-altered embrasure with single flat-headed light; central window has double flat-headed light, missing its mullion; E window has single ogee-headed light. Doorway in NW corner gives access to spiral stairs which rise to wall-walk level. Near centre of N wall is quarried passage from spiral stairs in annexe tower; built-up window ope near E end of N wall; between latter two features is large fireplace, now missing lintel and breast but cut-stone jambs survive as do corbels for lintel. This fireplace serves rectangular stack above; other stacks occur near W end of N wall and at S end of W wall. In centre of E wall is blocked-up window embrasure; light missing but hood moulding survives; according to Fahy (1956b, 111), door on N side of this window embrasure gives access to mural stairs rising to wall walk level at NE corner. Gable on E elevation, with flat-headed attic window, set back behind wall walk. Atop S wall, c. 1.5m short of SE corner, small box machicolation carried on two corbels. Second quoin from top at NW corner of tower is re-used head of double-ogee light, laid on its side. Annexe tower butts against exterior face of N wall of tower; in plan both E and W wall incline inwards at same angle, N wall links these on SE-NW axis leaving W wall projecting further than E. Interior divided between spiral stairs to E (diam. c. 2.75m) and small chamber to W (c. 4.1m E-W; c. 2.8m N-S) at ground-, 1st- and 2nd-floor levels; each chamber linked by door to spiral stairs; also linked, via quarried passage, to floors of main tower. Every step has been removed from spiral stairs; lit by small windows with flat-headed lights in N and E walls, except window in E wall at 2nd-floor level with ogee-headed light. Ground floor of W section had external door in N wall; only E jamb and E side of pointed arch survive, otherwise surround missing and doorway blocked up; only trace of door inside is drawbar socket to E; this door is somewhat above ground level outside (see photograph Fahy 1956b) and must have been approached by forestairs. Ground-floor chamber has quarried fireplace, partially blocked up, in S wall; narrow ope on W wall. The two floors above have window opes in N andW walls. Top of N wall has gable with two attic lights. Against W end of outside N wall of main tower is a low pointed projection, now acting as breakwater, but apparently present before flooding (see Harbison ibid.) According to tradition, built by Cormac Mac Carthy in 1455 (Healy 1988, 31); this is likely date for earlier section of main tower. Extension of tower to E probably of 16th-century date; annexe tower may have been added in late 16th/ early 17th century. Modern stone plaque on wall facing bridge commemorates hanging of Bishop Mac Egan here during siege of 1650 (Nyhan ibid.). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009