Lohort Castle

Lohort Castle lies in a field south of the hamlet of the same name, in County Cork in Ireland.

Lohort Castle was built around 1496 by Donogh Og McDonagh McCarthy. During the Confederate's War it was taken by Irish rebels in 1647. A Cromwellian force bombarded and retook the castle in 1650.

The castle as it now stands was rebuilt in the 1740s  by Sir John Percival, the Earl Of Egmont, for his agent. In the late 18th century it was bought by Sir Timothy O'Brien, baronet. In the early 20th century the castle was unoccupied and was then taken over by crown forces. This made it a target for the IRA, who burned it in 1922.

The rectangular tower stands in a large demesne with an entrance building, some 75 meters to the east.

The grounds of Lohort Castle were freely accessible when I visited. The tower itself is situated on a small moated island and was closed. So it can not be visited. Too bad because this beautiful castle looks very intact and I am curious about its interior.

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