Carrigrohane Castle

Carrigrohane Castle is located in the village of Carrigrohane, barony of Barretts in County Cork, Ireland. Situated on a rock which overhangs the River Lee, it consists of two structures differentiated by age, altitude, bulk, and architecture - the larger and older of which is oblong, and three-storied.

History

The castle's original construction is attributed to the MacCarthy family. The castle became dilapidated in 1641 during the Irish Confederate Wars. It was repaired thereafter and became the residence of the rapparee, Captain Cape, and his bandits, who waylaid travellers, and plundered the surrounding countryside. After restoration in the latter 19th century, it was further renovated and used as a family home from the late 20th century.

Geography

A cave at the base of the rock on which the ruin stands is believed by local residents to communicate with the Ovens caverns, 4 miles (6.4 km) away. A deep pool, called Hell's-Hole, overhung by limestone cliffs, and situated at a river bend above the castle site is imagined to be haunted by a "monstrous biped, having a mane like a horse, and a body like an eel".

See also

• List of castles in the Republic of Ireland

References

• This article contains public domain text from A. Fullarton's "The Parliamentary gazetteer of Ireland: adapted to the new poor-law, franchise, municipal and ecclesiastical arrangements, and compiled with a special reference to the lines of railroad and canal communication, as existing in 1814-45" (1846)