by Peter O'Leary
This year we can report an
exciting new development in
the Parish, the long awaited
reconstruction of
Carrignacurra Castle.
There have been tentative
plans for this Project for
many years, but now it has
reached the stage of action.
There were three Tower
Houses built in Inchigeelagh
Parish by the O'Leary ruling
Clan. Two of these,
Carrignaneela and Dromcarra,
were sadly and wilfully
destroyed, and the only
remaining structure created
during our Gaelic past is
the noble pile at
Carrignacurra. Even
this was not expected to be
spared by the vandals, and
there was serious demolition
of the four corners of the
castle done during this
century, and in an attempt
to cause the castle to fall,
and profit to accrue from
the sale of stone.
Luckily this failed due to
the immense strength built
in to these structures.
I should also add that this
did not occur during the
period of ownership by the
Kellehers, who always
respected the history of
this building and did their
best to ensure a safe future
for it.
The new owner
of the Tower House is
Mr.Maxim Gormanov, who is of
Polish-Russian ancestry, has
lived in South West Cork for
the past 16 years, is an
Archaeologist, and has a
long experience of the
reconstruction of stone
built buildings.
The
first task was to save the
building from collapse by
building up and
strengthening the four
corners which had been
undermined. Then
followed the installation of
three timber sub-floors at
the second, third and fifth
levels. More recently the
old Loft has been restored,
and with it its slated roof.
In addition there has been
considerable rebuilding of
loops, windows, door
surrounds, the murder hole
and other details.
The whole effect is quite
remarkable. All has
been done in good taste and
to a high quality. The
original structure has been
faithfully followed,
and there have been no
new or more modern designs
introduced.
We
understand from Maxim that
the building will eventually
be restored to allow its use
for residence, and this will
require a few departures
from the original to bring
the living conditions
up to modern
requirements. The
sub-floor construction will
permit pipes and wiring to
be concealed, and there will
be use of electrics, water
from a well, sewage and
storm water disposal and
central heating.
There is much to do in the
garden areas surrounding the
Tower House, and a start has
been made in building a low
wall where the Bawn wall
originally stood. Over
the next few years the
garden will be brought under
control and stocked with
shrubs etc.
It is
also a pleasure to report
that there will be some
limited access to allow
members of our community,
visitors with O'Leary
connections and other
interested parties to see
the work in progress, as
well as the finished work.
We will be watching
progress with interest and
will report this in
subsequent issues of the
Journal.