BALLYCARBERRY CASTLE

Tradition attributes the building of this castle to one Carbery O'Shea but it is more firmly associated with the MacCarthys. Some form of residence appears to have stood on the site as early as 1398 when the death of Taghd MacCarthaigh there is recorded in the annals. However, the existing ruins are later in date and probably those of "the castle of Valencyen call Barrycarborow" referred to in a document of 1569.

It is noted as a McCarthy More castle in 1594, while other 16th century sources indicate that it was occupied by the O'Connells in their capacity as MacCarthy wardens, indeed one Morgan O'Connell of Ballycarbery became High Sheriff of Kerry during Elizabethan times.

Possession of the castle passed to Sir Valentine Browne following the death of Daniel MacCarthy More - the Earl of Clancar - in 1596 and the castle appears to have been slighted by parliament forces 1651-52, when Valentia Harbour was being fortified.

The ground floor of the building was divided into three transversely disposed chambers with average dimensions of 7.15m x 4.95m. The first floor was accommodated beneath the pointed vaults of these chambers. The first floor is also comprised of three chambers, while the second floor has two chambers - one large and one small.

The mural stair, which ascends from the entrance lobby to the second floor, is broken in places but was roofed with slabs and lit by three narrow loops set in lintelled, splayed embrasures.

The castle stands within the remains of a bawn, which originally enclosed an area measuring 31.6m north-south and 35m east-west. At present only the west wall and the western portion of the north wall remain.

In the 18th century a large house was constructed abutting the north end of the west wall of the bawn. The house was demolished in the early 20th century but is depicted in both of Daniel Grose's watercolours of the castle from the 19th century. The house was the residence of the Lauder Family.

For Booking Information

Brian Morgan
Atlantic Villa, Valentia Island, Co Kerry