Carrigeen Castle

Carrigeen Castle lies in the town of Cahir, in County Tipperary, in Ireland.

The hilltop on which the castle is situated was occupied by a defensible fortified structure from at least the 16th century.

The present building however may look like a castle but it isn't. It was built between 1813 and 1816 as a small town jail, called a 'bridewell', although building materials from the earlier structure were probably used in its construction. When completed it comprised 5 cells, 2 dayrooms, 2 keeper’s rooms, 2 exercise yards and an attached keeper's residence.

In later decades the condition of the building declined, so in 1841 it was first repaired and about 1850 enlarged. After that it comprised 8 cells, 4 for males, 3 for females and one for drunken/violent prisoners. It remained a jail until it was closed in 1878.

The castle was used as a military officers' residence until 1919 when it was bought by the Butler family. They still live here and in 1976 opened it up as a bed & breakfast accommodation.

Carrigeen Castle is a private residence and a B&B. It can be visited but only as a guest of the accommodation. A very nice B&B. The truly medieval Cahir Castle is around 5 minutes’ walk away.

Gallery