Segraves Castle — Segravescastle

At the N end of Rathmore village, c. 450m NE of a motte and bailey (KD020-009004-). According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 425-7), this may be the 'castle' recorded in the 1654 Civil Survey as belonging to Sagry of Cabragh. The remains comprise a small, rectangular, two-storied, barrel-vaulted structure (int dims L 3.5m NW-SE; Wth 2.5m) built of uncoursed limestone with dressed granite and limestone quoins, and incorporated at the SW end of a possible late-17 century house (KD020-009003-). Large, opposing, round-arched openings, almost the width of the building, occur in the NW and SE walls, the latter now blocked-up. Corbels indicate the presence of loft under the vaulted ground floor ceiling. A blocked opening at the S end of the NE wall gave access next door, immediately to the N of which a mural staircase, lit by a loop now blocked by the adjoining house, gives access to a first floor chamber, which has been substantially altered, but was lit by square-headed windows in the SE and SW walls, by a small, splayed window in the NW wall, and by a second small, splayed window in the SE wall. A blocked ope in the NE wall gave access to the adjoining building. Access to the now destroyed second floor was via a mural stairs, also in the NE wall. (Hendrick-Aylmer 1899-1902, 381) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011