Ciara Burns

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Carrigaphooca Castle (CO070-034)

Carrigaphooca (Carraig an Phúca – the ghost’s rock) castle is a five-storey tall rectangular tower house. The site sits atop a steep-sided rock outcrop just north of the Sullane river and was constructed in the 15th or 16th century by the MacCarthys of Drishane. The defensive nature of the tower is reflected in its location on a steep height, as well as certain visible defensive features, most notably the bartizans present on the NE and SW corners of the tower. The highly defensive aspect of the site, especially the steepness of its location, results in a particular abundance of windows to provide light. The entrance to the tower is on the N side, where there is a short lobby to the chamber on the ground floor.

Photo is of SE sides of the castle, facing NW. Photo taken 02/03/2024.

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Gort an Imill multiple stone circle (CO069-013)

This stone circle is situated in a shallow depression in boggy mountain land and consists of nine stones, with an internal quartz stone. The two portal stones are located at the NE of the circle and mark the entrance, while the axial stone is located at the SW. Note that the stones decrease in height from the portal stones to the axial stones.

Viewed from S facing N. Photo taken 02/03/2024.

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Clapper Bridge, Rahoonagh West, Co. Cork. (CO069-017)

This clapper bridge is 19m long and has recently been reconstructed. It crosses the river Douglas at an angle and consists of 11 slabs which sit atop eight rough masonry piers.

Viewed from N facing S. Photo taken 02/03/2024.

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St. Gobnait’s Church, Glebe, Co. Cork. (CO058-034007)

The ruins of this church (known as Teampall Ghobnatan) are situated near the eastern end of Ballyvourney graveyard and it is believed that this church stands on the site of St. Gobnait’s convent. The church consists of a nave with a chancel at the E end. The arch of the chancel is slightly off-centre which indicates that it was a later addition. There is a worn carving of a human head visible which is most likely a Romanesque carving from the 12th c. This head is known locally as “an gadaidhe dubh” and according to tradition, this is the head of a thief who was turned to stone after attempting to steal Gobnait’s horse.

Viewed from W facing E. Photo taken 02/03/2024.

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Holy Well, Glebe, Co. Cork. (CO058-034009)

This site is located just south of Ballyvourney graveyard and is the final station of St. Gobnait’s pilgrimage, during which water is usually taken from the well, with cups available for doing so. The drystone walling which surrounds the well is corbelled inwards and roofed by a lintel. The opening of the well is reached by descending a series of stone steps. Many votive offerings surround the well.

Viewed from S-SW facing N-NE. Photo taken 02/03/2024.

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Cillian Stamp

1 – Cillian Stamp – CO070-034

The castle/ tower house in the townland of Carrigaphooca, Clondrohid Parish, Barony of Muskerry West, Co. Cork. Located just west of Macroom and south of the N22.Picture shows the East & South faces of the monument. The lower remnants of bartizans on the N.E and S.W corners can be made out on the castle’s top floor. The levels of the nine windows on the east wall of the castle (right side of photograph) can be used to indicate the path of the internal staircase on the east side, while the seven south-facing windows indicate the five levels of the monument. 02/03/24.

2 – Cillian Stamp – CO058-034006

The former Church of Ireland Church in the townland of Glebe, Ballyvourney Parish, Barony of Muskerry West, Co. Cork. Located in the north section of the Ballyvourney ecclesiastical complex. The picture shows the embattled tower attached to the west-end of the rectangular neo-gothic church. The small protestant church is a more recent addition to the predominantly catholic site, having been constructed in 1824. 02/03/24.

3 – Cillian Stamp – CO058-034011

The “Holy Well” in the townland of Glebe, Ballyvourney Parish, Barony of Muskerry West, Co. Cork. Located in the westernmost section of the Ballyvourney ecclesiastical complex. The picture shows what was once believed to be holy well related to St. Gobnait. Excavation of the nearby hut site (CO058-034001) by M.J. Kelly concluded that this well was simply a drainage feature associated with the occupational site. Despite this, the feature is still recorded as a ritual site and treated as such by the people of the locality. 02/03/24.

4 – Cillian Stamp – CO069-017

The clapper bridge in the townland of Rahoonagh West, Ballyvourney Parish, Barony of Muskerry West, Co. Cork Located at a crossing of the River Douglas between the townlands of Rahoonagh West and Gortanacra. Picture shows the angled crossing of the stone bridge across the River Douglas from the North-West side. Bridge extends roughly 19m in length, some of this is covered by earth on the NW side of the crossing (shown in the stones in the photos foreground. 02/03/24.

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The ‘sun-stone’ in the stone circle in the townland of Gortanimill, Kilnamartery Parish, Barony of Muskerry West, Co. Cork. Picture shows the large central ‘Sun-stone’ , a piece of white quartz located roughly centrally in the multiple stone circle atop a mountain. This central stone, much like the site itself, was likely of ritual importance associated with the winter solstice. 02/03/24.

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Jude Mc Crossan

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Monument Type: Castle / Tower House

SMR: CO070-034

Viewing Direction: S facing N

Date: 2/3/2024

Carrigaphooca Castle/Tower house situated north of the river Sullane positioned on a steep rock outcrop. This was the castle of the Mac Carthys of Drishane built around the 15th century. It consists of five storeys and shows defensive features from the positioning of the building being at a height along with the battering shown as the base of the castle widens out. There is also what seems to be bartizans on the NE and SW corners of the top of the castle which could suggest a possible defensive use.

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Monument Type: Clapper Bridge

SMR: CO069-017

Viewing Direction: N facing S

Date: 2/3/2024

This clapper bridge is one of the few in the country as they are very uncommon in Ireland. They are a stepping stone structure with the function to cross a body of water, this one crossing the river douglas. It is made up of eleven slabs with some at the end and are found around Ireland but more commonly found in the west of England. These ancient stones were erected around the medieval period in most cases.

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Monument Type: Stone Circle

SMR: CO069-013

Viewing Direction: E facing W

Date: 2/3/2024

This stone circle is located on the top of a rocky hill and is part of the cork kerry stone circle complex which is related to the bronze period. The stone circle is made up of eleven stones, nine surrounding two in the middle This photo is taken from the East facing the West. You can see that there is a noticeable distance between the two stones at the front which may show that they are the portal stones where the entrance is. This is also evident in the position as it faces east and would catch the sunlight the best.

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Monument Type: Stone Circle

SMR: CO069-013

Viewing Direction: E facing W

Date: 2/3/2024

This photo is from the previous Gort An Imill Standing stones and is two quartz rocks in the middle this gives insight to a possible use for the standing stone. This use being ritualistic, possibly for the worship of the sun and moon. Quartz holds ritualistic and spiritual value in many different cultures. Many stone circles and sites in Ireland have a relation to the movement of the sun and moon. Another more famous example of this being NewGrange in county meath renown for its celestial importance.

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Monument Type: Possible Sheela-na-gig

SMR: CO058-034008

Viewing Direction: S facing N

Date: 2/3/2024

This possible sheela-na-gig is on the south facing wall of nave at Ballyvourney church immediately above the chamfer of the window. It is not a confirmed Sheela-na-gig but does have one of the key features which was the crossing of the arms and being a possible female figure.

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