Carrigadrohid Castle

Carrigadrohid Castle lies next to the village of the same name, in County Cork in Ireland.

The castle, a rectangular 3-story tower house, stands on a rock in the middle of the River Lee. A bridge adjoins the east end wall at roadway level with the 2nd story. I suspect it levied tolls for passing the bridge.

Carrigadrohid Castle was built during the 15th century by the famous princely MacCarthys of Muskerry. It was inhabited by Cormac MacCarthy and his wife Sabiha O'Carroll.

During the 16th century the castle was extended to the east and the north. In 1583 Cormac MacTeigh, who lived here with his wife Joan Butler, suddenly died, leaving Joan in possession of the castle.

In May 1650, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Boetius MacEgan, Bishop of Ross, had been captured by Cromwellian forces led by Roger Boyle, Lord Broghill and 1st Earl of Orrery. They took him to the walls of Carrigadrohid Castle which was occupied by Confederation forces and told to call on them to surrender. He chose instead to exhort them to hold on and as a result was hanged from a nearby tree. The garrison surrendered shortly afterwards.

The MacCarthys were dispossessed, and the castle ended up in the hands of the Bowen family, who took up residence in the castle. In the early 19th century the Bowens abandoned the castle having built a new manor house at nearby Oakgrove. From then on the castle fell to ruin.

Carrigadrohid Castle was closed when I came by. I could not find out if it is ever open for visits. A rather unique castle.

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