Parkavonear Castle

Parkavonear Castle lies on a hillside, on the north bank of Lough Leane near Killarney, in County Kerry in Ireland.

Parkavonear Castle was built somewhere in the 13th century by an unknown Norman conqueror to defend his newly acquired territory, following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. Nothing more is known about its history.

The castle is unusual in that the keep has a circular rather than a rectangular plan like other Norman keeps. The ruined 2-storey keep stands within the remains of a square earthen rampart. It probably was never higher than 2 stories, for the wall stairs stop at the 2nd floor. The present entrance to the tower is believed to be a recent addition, since it is more likely that the original doorway was on the 2nd story with a ladder entry.

Parkavonear Castle is freely accessible. This is a nice small ruin on a nice location.

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