Inchicrenagh Castle

Inchicrenagh Castle, more commonly known as Castle Richard, lies in the townland of Castlerichard, in County Cork, in Ireland.

Its name means "river meadow of wheat".

Inchicrenagh Castle was probably built during the 1430s or '40s, by Richard FitzMaurice FitzGerald, who had been made Seneschal of Imokilly by the Earl of Desmond in 1420. Apparently there is an inscription above a doorway into the castle that bears the year 1592 and the initials T.G. for Thomas FitzGerald. Maybe this was put in after a restoration?

The castle was damaged by Cromwellian cannon fire in the mid-17th century, after which the garrison surrendered. Afterward, the FitzGeralds properties were confiscated, but this castle alone was left in their possession. The country house next to it dates back to the late 17th/early 18th century. So, probably the residents moved from the old tower to the new house then. The FitzGeralds finally sold the castle in 1850.

The castle is a 20 meters high, rectangular tower house with originally 5 stories. It is still standing to its full height, only missing the battlements. It was built on a rock outcrop on the left bank of a winding tidal stream, called the Womanagh River.

At present, Inchicrenagh Castle is situated on a private farmyard, so it can not be visited. A mighty tower, too bad I couldn't visit its interior.

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