Dunhill Castle

Situated on rock outcrop at the tip of a NW-SE spur with the valley of the N-S Annestown stream to the E and the ravine of a NW-SE tributary to the W. It is now accessible from the road in the valley. The Le Poer family are associated with 'Donoyle' from 1244 and they are styled 'Baron of Donoyle' from the early 14th century (Westropp 1914-16, 205-09). However, there are no reliable historical references to this site before the 17th century when the manor and castle were owned by John Power in 1641 (Simington 1942, 132). Traditionally it is thought to be an ancient stronghold which fell to Cromwell in the 17th century (Atkins 1895, 35-6; Decie 1978, 15).

This is a rectangular tower (ext. dims. 10.5m E-W; 9.55m N-S) with a base-batter and cut-stone quoins surviving to the first floor, apart from the E wall. A doorway towards the N end of the E wall leads from the destroyed entrance lobby to the ground floor chamber (int. dims. 6.3m E-W; 5.3m N-S) which has three embrasures (one with wicker centering) whose lights are largely destroyed. A passage in the E wall led from the entrance lobby to a mural stairs in the S wall, now destroyed, and a passage in the W wall. A destroyed doorway off this passage leads to a loft under the E-W vault. There is no access to the first floor where no features survive apart from traces of embrasures in the N, S and W walls. There is no evidence of fireplaces or garderobes.

Fragments of the S wall (H c. 3m) and the foundations of the W wall of a small bawn or hall (dims. c. 10m N-S; c. 10m E-W) are SE of the tower house. The N and E sides are formed by sheer cliffs (H c. 30m). The remains of an embrasure survive in the S wall, and the N side of a round-arched gateway is visible springing from the S wall of the tower house, where there is a rebate for the doorway. Dunhill church (WA025-044001-) is c. 175m to the WNW, and the monument is accessible from the roadway in the valley to the SE. (Ryland 1824, 259-6)