Location: County Kerry Map
Constructed: 1490s by Conor Liath O'Connor-Kerry
Carrigafoyle Castle, located near Ballylongford in County Kerry, Ireland, is a striking example of late medieval Irish architecture and a significant historical site tied to the Desmond Rebellions. Built in the late 15th century by the O’Connor Kerry clan, it served as a strategic stronghold on the Shannon Estuary, controlling maritime access and reflecting the power of its Gaelic lords.
Carrigafoyle Castle was constructed around the 1490s by Conor
Liath O’Connor, head of the O’Connor Kerry, a prominent Gaelic
family in northern Kerry. The castle’s location on the Shannon
Estuary made it a key defensive and economic asset, overseeing river
traffic and trade. It became the principal stronghold of the
O’Connor Kerry and a symbol of their resistance to external control,
particularly during the turbulent 16th century.
The castle is
most famous for its role in the Second Desmond Rebellion
(1579–1583), a conflict between the Gaelic lords, led by the
Fitzgerald Earls of Desmond, and the English Crown. In 1580,
Carrigafoyle was held by John O’Connor Kerry, who supported the
rebellion. The castle was besieged by English forces under Sir
William Pelham, marking a pivotal moment in the campaign to suppress
the revolt. The siege demonstrated the vulnerability of even
well-fortified Gaelic castles to modern artillery, as the English
bombarded the castle with cannon fire from land and sea, breaching
its walls in just two days. After its capture, the garrison was
massacred, and the castle was left in ruins, never regaining its
former prominence.
Carrigafoyle Castle is a classic example of a late medieval Irish
tower house, with additional fortifications that reflect its strategic
role. Its architecture combines defensive functionality with the
residential needs of a Gaelic lord. Key features include:
Tower
House:
The core of the castle is a five-story rectangular tower
house, approximately 26 meters (85 feet) tall, built from limestone with
sandstone dressings.
The tower’s upper floors contained the main
living quarters, including a great hall for gatherings and private
chambers for the lord’s family. These floors featured large windows,
some with decorative tracery, indicating a blend of defensive and
domestic purposes.
The ground floor was used for storage and had
narrow slit windows for defense. Access to upper floors was via a spiral
staircase in the northeast corner, a common feature in tower houses for
controlling movement.
Bawn and Outer Defenses:
The tower was
enclosed by a bawn, a fortified courtyard surrounded by a high curtain
wall with defensive turrets. The bawn protected the castle’s inhabitants
and livestock during attacks.
A unique feature is the castle’s outer
and inner wards, separated by a water-filled moat fed by the tidal
estuary. This made the castle exceptionally difficult to assault without
naval support.
The entrance was fortified with a gatehouse, likely
equipped with a drawbridge or portcullis, enhancing the castle’s
defensibility.
Strategic Design:
The castle’s position on a
rocky outcrop at the edge of the Shannon Estuary allowed it to control
river traffic. A small dock or quay facilitated trade and resupply by
water.
The tower’s height provided a vantage point for spotting
approaching threats, while its thick walls (up to 2 meters in places)
were designed to withstand traditional siege tactics.
Later
Modifications:
By the 16th century, the castle had been adapted to
counter artillery, with thicker walls and possibly gun loops, though
these were insufficient against the heavy cannon used in 1580.
Some
sources suggest a secondary tower or keep was added, though little
evidence of this survives.
Carrigafoyle’s location on the Shannon Estuary made it a linchpin for
controlling maritime access to the region. The estuary was a vital trade
route, and the castle’s lords could exact tolls or disrupt enemy
shipping. Its proximity to the sea also made it a potential landing
point for foreign allies, such as Spanish forces supporting the Desmond
Rebellions.
During the 1580 siege, the castle’s strategic value
was evident. The English targeted Carrigafoyle to break the Desmonds’
control over Kerry and to send a message to other Gaelic lords. The
siege involved a combined land and naval assault, with three ships
bombarding the castle from the estuary while cannons on land targeted
the walls. The rapid fall of Carrigafoyle underscored the technological
shift toward gunpowder warfare, which rendered many Irish castles
obsolete.
The siege of Carrigafoyle in March 1580 was a defining event in the
castle’s history. English forces, equipped with heavy artillery,
overwhelmed the castle’s defenses:
Preparation: Pelham’s army,
supported by Admiral William Winter’s naval squadron, surrounded the
castle. The garrison, numbering around 70, included Irish rebels and
possibly Spanish mercenaries.
Assault: Cannons on land and
ship-mounted guns bombarded the castle for two days, breaching the bawn
walls and damaging the tower. A direct hit on the tower’s base caused
part of it to collapse.
Aftermath: The surviving defenders were
executed, a common practice in the brutal suppression of the rebellion.
The castle was left in ruins, and its fall demoralized the Desmond
rebels, paving the way for further English victories.
Today, Carrigafoyle Castle is a ruin under the care of the Office of
Public Works (OPW). The tower house remains partially intact, with the
lower floors and spiral staircase accessible to visitors, though the
upper levels are unsafe due to structural damage. The bawn walls and
outer defenses are heavily eroded, but the castle’s dramatic setting on
the estuary still conveys its former grandeur.
Preservation: The
OPW has stabilized parts of the structure, but the castle remains
exposed to the elements, with ongoing concerns about further
deterioration.
Access: The castle is open to the public, though
access may be limited by tides, as the surrounding area can flood.
Visitors can explore the ground floor and climb part of the staircase
for views of the estuary.
Cultural Significance: Carrigafoyle is a
National Monument, recognized for its historical and architectural
value. It attracts historians, archaeologists, and tourists interested
in Ireland’s Gaelic past and the Desmond Rebellions.
Limited archaeological work has been conducted at Carrigafoyle, but studies of similar tower houses provide insight into its construction and use. Artifacts from the siege, such as cannonballs, have been found in the estuary, confirming accounts of the 1580 bombardment. Historical records, including English military reports and Gaelic annals, offer detailed accounts of the castle’s role in the rebellion.
Carrigafoyle appears in local folklore and historical narratives as a symbol of Gaelic resistance. Its dramatic fall inspired later Irish nationalist writers, who saw it as emblematic of the struggle against English domination. The castle’s evocative ruins have also featured in photography and regional tourism campaigns.