Carrigadrohid Castle: A River Fortress

Carrigadrohid Castle, a 15th-century tower house, occupies a unique position on a rocky island in the River Lee. The MacCarthys of Muskerry, powerful rulers in Munster, constructed it to dominate the river and levy tolls. The castle's strategic location made it a key point for controlling movement and transportation along the River Lee. The castle's history is marked by conflict. In 1650, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Cromwellian forces besieged it. Bishop Boetius MacEgan of Ross, captured by the English, was brought to the castle walls and ordered to persuade the garrison to surrender. He instead urged them to resist and was hanged by his horse's reins in front of the castle. The garrison was defeated, and the MacCarthys were dispossessed. The Bowen family later acquired the castle, living there until the mid-18th century before abandoning it for a new manor house. Since then, Carrigadrohid Castle has fallen into ruin, though a local conservation group now maintains it. The castle is accessible via a bridge that connects to the second story on the east side. While the castle is not always open for visits, its exterior and setting offer a compelling historical experience.