Carrigaholt Castle and Sea Wall

Carrigaholt Castle stands with extensive views over the River Shannon and Carrigaholt Bay. This tower-house, dated to the 15^th century, was formerly the fortified residence of the Mac Mahons, chiefs of West Corkavaskin. Carrigaholt Castle, with its five storeys, is in the south-west corner of the enclosing bawn. Constructed of local flagstone and limestone, the walls have a base batter. The entrance is via a central pointed doorway in the east wall, with a murder-hole overhead, gun-loops and a bartizan covering the entrance.

The interior is lit throughout by twin-light windows and narrow slits. The ground and third floors both have vaulted ceilings, with the other floors supported by corbels. The Burton family lived in the castle until the late 19^th century. Richard Burton was the last of the family to reside in the castle. Around 1919, the estate was sold to the McGrath family. The castle’s use up to the 19^th century is visible via the alterations made to the fabric of the building using red brick. The limestone fireplace on the fourth floor has the only inscription within the estate, which reads ’D.B. 1603’. This translates to Daniel O’Brien, brother of the 4^th Earl of Thomond, who took control of the tower-house in the very early 17^th century.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014