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Rectangular tower-house (12m E-W; 9.9m N-S) with conjoined tower at NE corner (6.15m E-W; 6.3m N-S), at N end small rocky island on N shore of Roaringwater Bay (island now connected to mainland by bridge). Main tower of four storeys; corner tower of six storeys. Doors in S wall at ground and 1st floor level. Ground floor chamber lit by simple light in S wall.
Straight mural stairs rises from E side of 1st floor door giving access to 1st floor itself and to 3rd floor at SE corner. First floor chamber lit only through doorways to mural passages in E, N and W walls. Pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W) over unlit 2nd floor attic.
Third floor chamber has large central windows on each face covered by segmental vaults; W window has pair of stone seats; S window flanked by pair of identical stone heads on outside. East wall recessed under segmental relieving arch (see CO140-045---).
First floor of corner tower entered via mural passage in N wall from main 1st floor chamber; manhole through vaulted floor gives access to unlit dungeon; garderobe chamber in S wall. Second floor entered via mural passage in E wall from main 1st floor chamber; pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W) overhead. Third floor entered from main 3rd floor chamber. Fourth floor entered via long mural passageway rising from E ingoing of central window in S wall of main 3rd floor chamber, leading through full length of E wall; garderobe chamber in S wall; door in W wall gives access to stairway to 5th floor over pointed wicker-centered vault (axis E-W).
Castle of Clan Dermod branch of MacCarthy Riabhach (O'Murchadha 1985, 54). Taken by Crown forces in 1603 after lengthy siege (Coleman 1927, 97).
See Excavations 1998, 20, no. 79; Excavations 2001, 44, no. 184
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
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