Location – Located just outside of Toomyvara. During the winter months you can see it from the N7 from a great distance.
OS: R 981 792 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 1' 41.57" W
Latitude: 52° 51' 49.55" N
GPS: R 98160 79214 (Accuracy: 6m)
See map at the bottom of the page.
Description and History – This is a really beautiful tower house and has its own individual character. I had seen pictures in the Archaeological Inventory but had never set out to see it. That was until I saw it from the N7 last winter. I went out the next weekend determined to get there. It is located at the far end of a cattle field, which was luckily empty. The fence is in bad repair and was covered with barbed wire and thorns. I managed to get over it eventually and made my way to the castle. Unfortunately for me the door had been blocked up with corrugated iron. Someone had obviously made it through since there was a hole pushed through but they must have been a much smaller person than me. Maybe I will get in there someday. However, just seeing the outside was a treat.
OS: R 981 792 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 1' 41.57" W
Latitude: 52° 51' 49.55" N
GPS: R 98160 79214 (Accuracy: 6m)
See map at the bottom of the page.
Description and History – This is a really beautiful tower house and has its own individual character. I had seen pictures in the Archaeological Inventory but had never set out to see it. That was until I saw it from the N7 last winter. I went out the next weekend determined to get there. It is located at the far end of a cattle field, which was luckily empty. The fence is in bad repair and was covered with barbed wire and thorns. I managed to get over it eventually and made my way to the castle. Unfortunately for me the door had been blocked up with corrugated iron. Someone had obviously made it through since there was a hole pushed through but they must have been a much smaller person than me. Maybe I will get in there someday. However, just seeing the outside was a treat.
The tower house is about 10m x 9m and about 25m high. There is a slight base batter and nicely rounded quoins. There are bartizans over the NW and SE corners and a machicolation over the entrance. The spiral staircase is in the SE corner of the castle and can just been seen through the hole in the blocked up doorway. All the floors survive (although I did not see this) and you can get right to the top. I am really looking forward to the day I get in there. From what I could see on the inside it looks like the castle was burned quite badly at some point. I couldn’t find out anything about its history but it appears to have been built in the 17th century.
Difficulty – Easy enough to get to if you can get over the fence. Ask permission.
For more castles, click here.
For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.
View from the fence. It can get a little muddy.
The base batter.
The chimney stacks and gable ends.
The remains of one of the bartizans.
The other bartizan is more in tact.
Looking up at the machicolation.
I could get through to top bit and when I go back I will take someone with me to help me in.
Looking up one of the garderobe shoots. A risky undertaking when the castle was in use.
A glimpse of the inside from the door.
This doorway leads to the spiral staircase. Note now charred the stone is.
View The Standing Stone in a larger map
View The Standing Stone in a larger map
