Castle (in Ruins) — Shanagarry South

In level area, at foot of gentle S-facing slope, marsh to S and SE. Remains consist of S (ground floor only) and E (ground and part of 1st floor) walls of rectangular tower (c. 11m E-W; c. 8.5m N-S), and E wall (L 7.25m) of annexe built against S wall of tower, with short return (L c. 2.1m) of its S wall. S wall of tower has central window embrasure, splayed inside and out from narrow vertical slit. S side of window embrasure survives at 1st floor level in E wall. In SE corner, shell of spiral stone stairs; lower steps intact, otherwise reduced to stumps; two narrow vertical slits in E wall lit stairs. Recess at E end of S wall, covered by wicker-centred segmental vault, gave access to base of stairwell but this area now heavily modified and rebuilt. Annexe to S shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map as square structure, roughly half area of tower in extent; E wall in line with E wall of tower. Ruined fireplace at ground and 1st floor levels; flues rise to feed rectangular stack in fragmentary gable. Staddle-stones built into external E face. Wall runs N from NE corner of tower to abut small gabled 2-storey building.This has 17th century-style gun-loops, in splayed embrasures, at 1st floor level on N and W walls, but this structure is not shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map and otherwise is 19th century in appearance. Vacant 19th century house to W of tower; area to S enclosed by stone wall, probably of 18th century date.Tower built by Power family, probably in 16th century. It passed to Penn family in 1660s and was occasional residence of William Penn (Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, USA) (Coleman 1908, 105-14; 177-89); descendents of this family retained the property into this century (Healy 1988, 152). 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