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Cloghan Castle (County Cork)

August 18, 2023

Cloghan Castle (Irish: An Clochán) is a ruined tower house on Castle Island in Lough Hyne in West Cork, Ireland. While no longer standing, it was originally at least three storeys tall. Castle Cloghan was once the main stronghold of the Irish clan O'Driscoll, but was abandoned after their Chief, Sir Fineen O'Driscoll, died there in 1629. The mid-19th century collapse of the ruins is said to have been caused by the barking of a ghostly black dog.

A pencil sketch by George Victor Du Noyer in 1853

Description

 
Castle Island in Lough Hyne

Cloghan Castle is located on a mound on the south-east side of Castle Island, in Lough Hyne, West Cork, Ireland.[1] Lough Hyne is an unusually deep sea lough, with depths up to 44 metres (144 ft), and has fierce waters and a large tidal range. When combined with high ground of up to 200 metres (660 ft) surrounding the lough this makes it relatively secure from sea and land. The island is reachable only by boat, and relatively low lying.[2]

Cloghan Castle is largely ruined, though some above-ground stonework remains. It was a square-sided tower house with an enclosure or extension constructed on its eastern side.[3] Only the south-western corner of the tower house and the north-eastern corner of the enclosure survive.[4] Based on surviving remains the tower measured around 8.5 by 11.4 metres (28 ft × 37 ft) externally and 4 by 6 metres (13 ft × 20 ft) internally; its long-axis ran approximately east-west.[4][5] The enclosure was approximately 5.5 metres (18 ft) square.[4]

The remains of the tower show it to be formed of rough-hewn blocks of the local Old Red Sandstone. The blocks are small enough to have been placed by hand without the need for any lifting tackle. They were bonded with a poor-strength mortar, lavishly applied. The inside of the walls may once have been rendered with a mortar mix. The entrance does not survive but was potentially sited in the eastern wall, as is the entrance at Castle Salem, which is of similar design.[5]

A single loophole survives in the west wall of the ground floor. This might have been defensive in nature but probably its main use was as a source of light and air. A slopstone, for washing, was positioned directly beneath the loophole. The first floor was supported on timber joists, the sockets of which remain in the masonry; there were probably eight joists spanning the tower on the north-south axis. At first-floor level there are the remains of another loophole in the western wall, but it has been much robbed out. The second floor, likely the principal chamber (though the tower may well have had further storeys), was supported on a barrel vault ceiling.[6]

The enclosure to the east probably served to provide additional accommodation.[7] It was constructed of smaller stones, closely fitted together. Though the same low-strength mortar was used to bond the stones, the construction of the surviving wall is superior to that seen in the tower. The north wall of the enclosure holds the remains of a window, of larger size than the loopholes in the tower.[6]

Additionally there are two short sections of surviving drystone wall to the north and south of the structure. These are possibly the surviving remnants of additional structures or an outer wall. The northern section runs from the north wall of the tower house, while the surviving southern section, also on a north-south axis, lies some 7 metres (23 ft) away from the wall of the enclosure.[7]

It is possible that further remains exist below ground level as the site has not been subject to archaeological investigation.[5][7] In general the remains seem to have survived with little robbing.[7] The ruins lie abandoned and covered in ivy.[8]

History

The Irish name of the castle, An Clochán, means "stony place".[9] The settlement of Baile an Oileain to the east of the Lough may have its origins as the sept land associated with the castle.[2]

The castle was owned by the O'Driscoll family, who, during the mediaeval period, were one of the richest in Ireland.[8] The castle became the seat of the O'Driscoll family by 1629, when Sir Fineen O'Driscoll, family chief since 1573, moved there, having leased Baltimore Castle to Sir Thomas Crooke.[10][2][11] Sir Fineen died at Cloghan Castle shortly afterwards.[11] The castle was probably abandoned following the chief's death, as it disappears from the historic record.[5]

Cloghan Castle is probably the one referred to in the 17th-century Pacata Hibernia as a hotbed of rebellion during the reign of Elizabeth I, rather than the one of the same name at Lissangle, which belonged to the Coppinger family, who were loyal to Elizabeth.[12] The castle collapsed in the mid-19th century. Folklore states that it was due to the barking of the ghost of black dog that haunted the tower, though it is likely that the poor quality mortar used in its construction led to the collapse.[2][5] Also in folklore the castle is said to have been the home of a legendary king with the ears of a donkey.[13]

The remains were drawn by George Victor Du Noyer in February 1853, his pencil sketch is now in the collection of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.[14] W. B. Yeats also sketched there in the summer of 1919.[15]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Doran, Linda; Lyttleton, James (2007). Lordship in Medieval Ireland: Image and Reality. Four Courts Press for the Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-84682-041-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Samuel 1998, p. 555.
  3. ^ Samuel 1998, p. 183.
  4. ^ a b c Samuel 1998, p. 559.
  5. ^ a b c d e Samuel 1998, p. 556.
  6. ^ a b Samuel 1998, p. 557.
  7. ^ a b c d Samuel 1998, p. 558.
  8. ^ a b Fitzpatrick 2015.
  9. ^ Carroll, Michael J. (2001). The Castles and Fortified Houses of West Cork. Bantry Studio Publications. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-9519415-8-4.
  10. ^ National Gazetteer 1868, p. 682.
  11. ^ a b Kingston 1985, p. 53.
  12. ^ Kingston 1985, p. 43.
  13. ^ Ireland of the Welcomes. Bord Failte-Irish Tourist Board. 2003. p. 19.
  14. ^ "Lough Hyne Castle Co. Cork Feb 1853". Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. February 1853. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  15. ^ Pyle, Hilary; Yeats, Jack Butler (1992). Jack B. Yeats: A Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings. Canongate Books. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-233-98738-5.

Sources

  • Fitzpatrick, Richard (6 October 2015). "Lough Hyne is the most studied piece of water in the world". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  • Kingston, William John (1985). The Story of West Carbery. Friendly Press. ISBN 978-0-948728-00-6.
  • Samuel, Mark Wycliffe (1998), The Tower Houses of West Cork (PDF) (PhD thesis), University College London, retrieved 3 October 2022
  • The National Gazetteer: a Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands. Compiled from the Latest and Best Sources, and Illustrated with a Complete County Atlas, and ... Maps. Virtue. 1868.

51°30′08″N 9°17′57″W / 51.50211°N 9.29926°W / 51.50211; -9.29926

August 18, 2023
cloghan, castle, county, cork, cloghan, castle, irish, clochán, ruined, tower, house, castle, island, lough, hyne, west, cork, ireland, while, longer, standing, originally, least, three, storeys, tall, castle, cloghan, once, main, stronghold, irish, clan, dris. Cloghan Castle Irish An Clochan is a ruined tower house on Castle Island in Lough Hyne in West Cork Ireland While no longer standing it was originally at least three storeys tall Castle Cloghan was once the main stronghold of the Irish clan O Driscoll but was abandoned after their Chief Sir Fineen O Driscoll died there in 1629 The mid 19th century collapse of the ruins is said to have been caused by the barking of a ghostly black dog A pencil sketch by George Victor Du Noyer in 1853 Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 SourcesDescription Edit Castle Island in Lough HyneCloghan Castle is located on a mound on the south east side of Castle Island in Lough Hyne West Cork Ireland 1 Lough Hyne is an unusually deep sea lough with depths up to 44 metres 144 ft and has fierce waters and a large tidal range When combined with high ground of up to 200 metres 660 ft surrounding the lough this makes it relatively secure from sea and land The island is reachable only by boat and relatively low lying 2 Cloghan Castle is largely ruined though some above ground stonework remains It was a square sided tower house with an enclosure or extension constructed on its eastern side 3 Only the south western corner of the tower house and the north eastern corner of the enclosure survive 4 Based on surviving remains the tower measured around 8 5 by 11 4 metres 28 ft 37 ft externally and 4 by 6 metres 13 ft 20 ft internally its long axis ran approximately east west 4 5 The enclosure was approximately 5 5 metres 18 ft square 4 The remains of the tower show it to be formed of rough hewn blocks of the local Old Red Sandstone The blocks are small enough to have been placed by hand without the need for any lifting tackle They were bonded with a poor strength mortar lavishly applied The inside of the walls may once have been rendered with a mortar mix The entrance does not survive but was potentially sited in the eastern wall as is the entrance at Castle Salem which is of similar design 5 A single loophole survives in the west wall of the ground floor This might have been defensive in nature but probably its main use was as a source of light and air A slopstone for washing was positioned directly beneath the loophole The first floor was supported on timber joists the sockets of which remain in the masonry there were probably eight joists spanning the tower on the north south axis At first floor level there are the remains of another loophole in the western wall but it has been much robbed out The second floor likely the principal chamber though the tower may well have had further storeys was supported on a barrel vault ceiling 6 The enclosure to the east probably served to provide additional accommodation 7 It was constructed of smaller stones closely fitted together Though the same low strength mortar was used to bond the stones the construction of the surviving wall is superior to that seen in the tower The north wall of the enclosure holds the remains of a window of larger size than the loopholes in the tower 6 Additionally there are two short sections of surviving drystone wall to the north and south of the structure These are possibly the surviving remnants of additional structures or an outer wall The northern section runs from the north wall of the tower house while the surviving southern section also on a north south axis lies some 7 metres 23 ft away from the wall of the enclosure 7 It is possible that further remains exist below ground level as the site has not been subject to archaeological investigation 5 7 In general the remains seem to have survived with little robbing 7 The ruins lie abandoned and covered in ivy 8 History EditThe Irish name of the castle An Clochan means stony place 9 The settlement of Baile an Oileain to the east of the Lough may have its origins as the sept land associated with the castle 2 The castle was owned by the O Driscoll family who during the mediaeval period were one of the richest in Ireland 8 The castle became the seat of the O Driscoll family by 1629 when Sir Fineen O Driscoll family chief since 1573 moved there having leased Baltimore Castle to Sir Thomas Crooke 10 2 11 Sir Fineen died at Cloghan Castle shortly afterwards 11 The castle was probably abandoned following the chief s death as it disappears from the historic record 5 Cloghan Castle is probably the one referred to in the 17th century Pacata Hibernia as a hotbed of rebellion during the reign of Elizabeth I rather than the one of the same name at Lissangle which belonged to the Coppinger family who were loyal to Elizabeth 12 The castle collapsed in the mid 19th century Folklore states that it was due to the barking of the ghost of black dog that haunted the tower though it is likely that the poor quality mortar used in its construction led to the collapse 2 5 Also in folklore the castle is said to have been the home of a legendary king with the ears of a donkey 13 The remains were drawn by George Victor Du Noyer in February 1853 his pencil sketch is now in the collection of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 14 W B Yeats also sketched there in the summer of 1919 15 See also EditLusmagh Cloghan Castle for Cloghan Castle in County Offaly Loughrea Castle also known as Cloghan Castle in County GalwayReferences EditNotes Edit Doran Linda Lyttleton James 2007 Lordship in Medieval Ireland Image and Reality Four Courts Press for the Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement p 8 ISBN 978 1 84682 041 0 a b c d Samuel 1998 p 555 Samuel 1998 p 183 a b c Samuel 1998 p 559 a b c d e Samuel 1998 p 556 a b Samuel 1998 p 557 a b c d Samuel 1998 p 558 a b Fitzpatrick 2015 Carroll Michael J 2001 The Castles and Fortified Houses of West Cork Bantry Studio Publications p 77 ISBN 978 0 9519415 8 4 National Gazetteer 1868 p 682 a b Kingston 1985 p 53 Kingston 1985 p 43 Ireland of the Welcomes Bord Failte Irish Tourist Board 2003 p 19 Lough Hyne Castle Co Cork Feb 1853 Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland February 1853 Retrieved 3 October 2022 Pyle Hilary Yeats Jack Butler 1992 Jack B Yeats A Catalogue Raisonne of the Oil Paintings Canongate Books p 103 ISBN 978 0 233 98738 5 Sources Edit Fitzpatrick Richard 6 October 2015 Lough Hyne is the most studied piece of water in the world Irish Examiner Retrieved 3 October 2022 Kingston William John 1985 The Story of West Carbery Friendly Press ISBN 978 0 948728 00 6 Samuel Mark Wycliffe 1998 The Tower Houses of West Cork PDF PhD thesis University College London retrieved 3 October 2022 The National Gazetteer a Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands Compiled from the Latest and Best Sources and Illustrated with a Complete County Atlas and Maps Virtue 1868 51 30 08 N 9 17 57 W 51 50211 N 9 29926 W 51 50211 9 29926 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cloghan Castle County Cork amp oldid 1169478654, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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