Kilmaclenine Castle

Kilmaclenine Castle lies in the townland of the same name, in County Cork, in Ireland.

Here at Kilmaclenine there are actually 2 structures; a square bawn upon the eastern end of an elongated limestone ridge, overlooking the ruin of a cruciform stronghouse.

The bawn is the older structure, for it is thought to date back to the 12th/13th century. Historically, it was known as 'The Mote'. There are no remains of structures inside its walls. Some sources state it was the site of an Anglo-Norman castle. Others suggest it was a mere place of refuge for the former village of Kilmaclenine and would have had only wooden structures inside, where the Bishops of Cloyne resided when they visited the area.

Below the limestone ridge, some 50 meters to the north, are the ruins of a 2-storey stronghouse, which is believed to have been built by the De Barrys, around 1630/40. Its shape and size are reminiscent of Ightermurragh Castle, only lower. Its east side has gone. Most of the north wing collapsed in 1870, and a chimney stack fell in 1902.

The bawn at Kilmaclenine is surrounded by pasture, which was inhabited by 2 curious cows when I visited. So, it could not be visited. The stronghouse is next to a farm, but it is completely overgrown, So much so, that I couldn't access it.

Gallery

Bawn

Stronghouse