Monkstown Castle

On shoulder of rising ground, overlooking S entrance into West Passage of Cork Harbour to E; steep-sided glen close-by to N. Three storey rectangular block (int. 11.5m E-W; 6.3m N-S) with square towers (ext. L c. 7.5m; int. L c. 5m) at each corner; towers four storey with attic. Walls stand to full height but floors and roofs collapsed and in dangerous condition. Gables atop each elevation of main block and towers; string courses on all elevations between floor levels. Each tower has square chimney stack atop both inward-facing gables, also stack atop main W wall. Bartizan atop outside corner on each tower; each supported by five elegantly tapering corbels (central one set on corner); traces of stepped crenellations atop walls of bartizans. Numerous gun loops at ground level (see plan, Craig 1982, 127), most now blocked up. Most windows now blocked or closed withg alvanised sheets; originally all had square or rectangular lights, somewith mullion and transom divisions; largest intact light in E wall at 1st floor level divided by two mullions and a transom; most covered externally by hood mouldings with stepped terminals. Wide door in N wall of mainblock; cut-stone surround in two plain orders with elliptical arch, hood moulding overhead; now blocked up. Similar surround to smaller door at E end of S wall in NW tower; opposite blocked door in SW tower; these face each other under wide segmental arch (Wth 2m) which carrys forward upper part of W wall of main block. Against N wall of SW tower straight flight of stone steps rise to blocked door, at 1st floor level, in W wall of main block.

Much of interior no longer accessible due to collapse but layout appears similar to Mount Long (CO112-041---): corner towers have single room at each level entered from main chamber. At ground level, in central block, large fireplace in centre of W wall; cut stone surround with elliptical arch and slightly prominent keystone, shallow cornice; opening blocked. Above it, at 1st floor level, more elaborate fireplace; again elliptical arch cut on underside of lintel but more elaborate mantle: three tiered cornice brought forward at ends and in centre, central projection rests on console with shallow 'branch and leaf' carving; directly below, the date 1636 stands in shallow relief; very similar to door in Kanturk Castle, North Cork. Above console are inscribed initials 'B.S.' and date '1814', these commemorates re-roofing and repair of house by owner Bernard Shaw (Coleman 1915, 3). Shortly afterwards used as barracks by British army (ibid.); report of 'very considerable additions' in 1873 when owned by Lord De Vesci (see notice in The Irish Builder, May 15, 1873); apparently vacant when leased to Monkstown Golf Club as club house in 1908 (Hurse 1925, 90-5), they purchased it outright in 1959 but house abandoned again in 1971 when new club house built. House originally built by Archdeacon family (ibid.), presumably in 1636, and probably by same builder as Mount Long (CO112-041---) which it closely resembles.