What is recorded here

Roche's Tower stands roofless above the Cork coast, its circular stone walls holding four tall openings that frame the horizon like a forgotten camera. Built beside Trabolgan House, the belvedere invited visitors to climb two floors, sit beside a fireplace, and watch the sea change colour without distraction. The missing roof does not diminish the place; it completes the design, forcing every occupant to measure the sky as carefully as the water below.

On 1842 OS 6-inch map as 'Roche's Tower', in demesne of Trabolgan House (CO100-040---). Roofless circular two-storey tower (diam. c. 4.95m) atop hill with commanding view of coast. Ground floor has pointed doorway facing N and tall pointed window opes facing E, S and W. Upper floor has four similar window opes. Fireplace on each floor, in NW wall, with chimney. 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

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