Round Castle

National Monument No. 236. Standing in the centre of a rectangular earthwork (KE066-017002-) is a circular tower (H c. 8m; int. diam. 6.4m; T 2.15m), with a slight base-batter, built of uncoursed field stones in a lime and sand mortar. The present entrance is through a stile inserted into a breach in the wall at NE; the structure was repaired by the OPW in the 1940s. At this point is a landing in the wall thickness from which a narrow stairs rises through the thickness of the wall to the E where there is a landing at first-floor level (this stairs gave access down to the ground-floor chamber which had no external doorway). The ground floor was lit by a window at SSW. This has a splayed and arched embrasure and a single light. Between the ground and first-floor levels are four opposite joist-holes (dims. 0.55m x 0.35m; D 0.9m) which supported a wooden floor. A lintelled door at E gives access to the first-floor from a mural stairs. At this level are window embrasures at N and S and a very ruined fireplace and flue at WNW. Above this level the walls now end abruptly. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

Round Castle at Parkavonear is a 13th-century Norman tower house, built during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion into Ireland. It is important as a rare example of early circular tower house architecture, illustrating defensive building techniques of the time.