What is recorded here

Roofless and crenellated, the circular tower stands on a landscaped rock outcrop north-west of Bishopstown House. Dr. Peter Browne, Bishop of Cork and Ross from 1710 to 1735, built it as a retreat within the Bishopstown demesne. Shell imprints still mark the plaster walls beside a quartz pebble floor, preserving a quiet place for observation and reflection long after its roof vanished.

On top of a landscaped rock outcrop to NW of Bishopstown House (CO074-05502-); indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map. Roofless, crenellated circular tower (H 2.3m; int. diam. 4.55m); entrance with added curved porch on S side; window facing N. Fireplace in W wall and niche in E wall. Interior originally decorated with shells inset in plaster of which only the imprints survive. Quartz pebble floor; remains of ledge at base of internal walls composed of glassy slag. Built as retreat by Dr. Peter Browne, Bishop of Cork and Ross 1710-1735; part of Bishopstown demesne (CO074-05503-) (McCarthy 1981). 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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