Clan Rising
Carrigrohane Castle today

Ireland · Restored

Carrigrohane Castle

Caisleán Carraig Ruacháin

Carrigrohane Castle is a multi-storey stone castle-house on a rocky cliff-edge overlooking the River Lee in Carrigrohane, County Cork, Ireland. Originally medieval and later repaired and restored, it has served as a private residence after 19th- and 20th-century renovations.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1850

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1850

What Carrigrohane Castle looked like in its prime.

A three-storey oblong stone manor rising directly from a rocky cliff, facing a gravel forecourt and framed by mature trees. The rendered limestone walls are weathered and patched, pierced by tall narrow mullioned and transomed windows arranged in regular vertical bands. A single arched main entrance sits centrally on the ground floor. The roofline is broken by steep gables and several tall stone chimney stacks; the building overlooks the River Lee from the cliff-edge.

Its story

The story of Carrigrohane Castle.

Carrigrohane Castle stands on a rocky cliff-edge overlooking the River Lee in the barony of Barretts, County Cork. Its original construction is attributed to the MacCarthy family, and the medieval castle-house was repaired and restored more than once in the centuries that followed.

After one such repair it became the residence of the rapparee Captain Cape and his bandits, who waylaid travellers and plundered the surrounding countryside. Further renovation works were undertaken in the 19th and 20th centuries, and from the late 20th century the castle has served as a private family home.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1850.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Carrigrohane Castle, including 1 interior: cave at the rock base. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Front approach and forecourtMain entrance thresholdEast gable and window baysRoofline and chimneys from gardenCliff-edge overlooking the River LeeCave at the rock baseTree-lined approach through the groundsMullioned window detail

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Whose castle

Clans who held Carrigrohane Castle.

The families that held Carrigrohane Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • MacCarthy

    Credited with the original construction of the castle above the River Lee.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Carrigrohane Castle.

Spike Island, IrelandFortressSpike Island20 km away

Questions about Carrigrohane Castle

What is the history of Carrigrohane Castle?

Carrigrohane Castle was originally constructed by the MacCarthy family. The medieval castle-house was repaired and restored more than once, and it became the residence of the rapparee Captain Cape and his bandits, who waylaid travellers and plundered the surrounding countryside. It later fell into ruin before restoration in the mid-19th century and further renovation in the 20th century.

What is inside Carrigrohane Castle?

The documented interior of Carrigrohane Castle is a cave at the base of the rock. It is believed by local residents to communicate with the Ovens caverns, 4 miles (6.4 km) away. The supplied descriptions do not identify rooms or other interior spaces within the castle itself.

Where is Carrigrohane Castle?

Carrigrohane Castle is in Carrigrohane, in the barony of Barretts, County Cork. It stands on a rocky cliff-edge overlooking the River Lee. Carrigrohane is described as a village, while County Cork identifies the wider administrative area.

What did Carrigrohane Castle look like in its prime?

Carrigrohane Castle is a three-storey oblong stone manor rising directly from a rocky cliff. Its rendered limestone walls have tall, narrow mullioned and transomed windows in regular vertical bands, with a central arched entrance. Steep gables and several tall stone chimney stacks break the roofline, while mature trees frame the forecourt and approach.

Is Carrigrohane Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Carrigrohane Castle is still standing and is described as restored. It fell into ruin by the late 18th century, then was restored in the mid-19th century. Additional renovation works were undertaken in the 20th century, and the castle has served as a private family home from the late 20th century.

Which family or clan held Carrigrohane Castle?

The MacCarthy family held Carrigrohane Castle in connection with its original construction. Their role is described as being credited with the original construction of the castle above the River Lee.

Does anyone live in Carrigrohane Castle now?

Carrigrohane Castle has served as a private family home from the late 20th century. This indicates that it is a lived-in private residence rather than an unoccupied ruin. The material does not identify the family currently living there.

Can you visit Carrigrohane Castle?

Carrigrohane Castle is a private residence. It has been used as a family home from the late 20th century, so the supplied material does not establish it as a castle open for general public visits.

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