Barryscourt Castle, one of Ireland’s most significant and finest surviving medieval tower houses, reopened its doors in April 2025 following a transformative conservation project led by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Officially unveiled on April 24th by An
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the castle promises to become a cornerstone of Cork’s cultural tourism, blending centuries of history with a modern visitor experience.
Originally constructed between 1392 and 1420, Barryscourt Castle
was once the seat of the renowned Anglo-Norman Barry family, who dominated the region for centuries. Its well-preserved structure—including a striking tower house, intact bawn walls,
and historic gardens—offers a rare glimpse into Ireland’s feudal past. The castle played a key role in regional conflicts and stands
as a powerful symbol of Norman and Gaelic Irish heritage.
An inscription over one of the fireplaces reads: “In 1588, David Barry and Eleanor Roche made me.” This ties directly to the
castle’s 16th-century restoration and serves as a poignant reminder of its longstanding historical presence. As Brendan Gleeson, foreperson with the OPW National Monuments team, notes: “It’s almost like the building’s voice is still speaking to us.”
The ground floor of the tower house even contains a dungeon, where prisoners were dropped through a dramatic ‘drophole’
from the second floor—a powerful testament to the castle’s defensive past. Closed to the public since 2016 due to structural concerns, Barryscourt Castle has now undergone meticulous and
significant conservation efforts, extending over most of the past decade. These works were carefully designed to preserve the historic fabric while improving the visitor experience and modernising the castle’s facilities.
John Geraghty, Architect with the OPW, said:
“ These include a comprehensive programme of conservation works, fabric repairs and a complete Mechanical and Electrical upgrade— undertaken by the OPW Mechanical and Electrical team. The conservation of Barryscourt is also a credit to the skill and commitment of the National Monuments Mallow District Works Team—some of whom were involved in the original restoration of the castle.”
To protect the site’s biodiversity, ecological consultants were also
engaged to ensure that the work did not harm important bat maternity roosts present at the castle.
Master craftsperson Pearse Kearney, an external craftsman who specialises in bronze windows and leadlights, was first brought onto the project in 2001. His work involved restoring the castle’s extremely narrow windows using traditional methods, creating diamond-shaped quarries of glass set in lattices of lead, surrounded by soldered, galvanised steel. These careful interventions show the utmost respect for the original structure.
The conservation project involved the expertise of highly skilled traditional tradespeople—masons, stonecutters, carpenters—whose painstaking efforts exemplify the OPW’s commitment to the preservation of Ireland’s built heritage. The project included critical structural repairs, a full mechanical and electrical upgrade, and landscape restoration, ensuring Barryscourt Castle remains a centrepiece of Cork’s heritage tourism offering.
As Brendan Gleeson explains, “ We’ve done quite an extensive
mechanical and electrical project within the building. It opens up the building to many uses in the future.”
The castle has been sufficiently upgraded so that it can enjoy practical use in the years to come, with facilities that support guided tours and cultural programming. Showcasing this,
historians Dr. Jane Fenlon and Dr. Danielle O Donovan prepared a new interpretative exhibition for Barryscourt comprising text and illustrations. Jurga Rakauskaite-Larkin, OPW prepared and
executed designs for the new Exhibition under the guidance and direction of Sabrina Commins and Des Lowry, National Monuments.
Visitors can now explore the ground floor of the Castle and Tower House, with guided tours available for the upper floors. The beautifully restored orchard will also be accessible, offering an atmospheric setting for cultural and educational events. To celebrate the reopening, admission will be free for the 2025 season. Throughout the season, a variety of heritage talks, guided walks, and special events will take place.
Festivities began with a very wellattended festival of history and music which took place in mid-June. The event, which featured renowned musicians and insightful talks on Ireland’s cultural
heritage, was a fitting celebration to promote the reopening of the site.
At the official reopening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke of the castle’s cultural and historical significance: “As a proud Cork native, I am delighted to see Barryscourt Castle, a landmark of
our county’s rich history, conserved to its former glory. This castle holds a special place in Cork’s heritage, and its reopening is a moment of pride for the region. The OPW’s investment ensures that future generations can experience and appreciate the fascinating story of Barryscourt. Beyond its historical significance, this project will also enhance tourism and cultural life in Cork, drawing visitors from across Ireland and beyond, and providing
lasting benefits to the area.”
Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin Moran, added: “Barryscourt Castle is one of the finest examples of a late medieval Irish tower
house, and the conservation work undertaken by the OPW ensures its legacy for future generations. The meticulous works, led by our expert teams, not only safeguard the castle’s fabric but also enhance the visitor experience, allowing people to explore this unique site in an engaging and immersive way.”
Barryscourt Castle’s reopening stands as a proud example of the OPW’s broader mission to care for Ireland’s rich cultural assets. The OPW currently maintains almost 1,000 National Monuments and historic buildings at 780 sites throughout the country. Each restoration enlists expert tradespeople and traditional techniques
to preserve the unique spirit of these monuments. With Barryscourt Castle brought back to life, the OPW reaffirms its
deep commitment to the conservation of Irish heritage – ensuring these treasures endure for generations to come.
