Ballynacarriga Castle

Ballynacarriga Castle lies on a rocky outcrop in the townland of Ballynacarriga, in County Cork in Ireland.

It is not exactly known when Ballynacarriga Castle was built. There is a commemoration year carved somewhere in the castle which reads 1585. But it could also have been built a century before. The year 1585 might also have been the year its then owner Randall Hurley was married to Catherine O'Cullane. The castle was forfeited by the Hurleys in 1654, and it passed to the Crofts.

The top floor was later used as a chapel up until the early 19th century.

Ballynacarriga Castle is a rectangular 4-storey tower house. There is a sheela-na-gig 10 meters high up on the east wall and a small ruined round tower which was part of the bawn.

A nice castle. When I visited, the tower was closed but I think it can be visited at other times. The site is freely accessible.

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