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 is 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 a 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 accomodation.

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

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