![]() ![]() ![]() It is mournful, while wandering through this part of southern Ireland, to meet everywhere the crumbling relics of the greatness of this once powerful family, whose very memory is now nearly forgotten, or remembered only by those to whom they are endeared by the traditions of the country, or who find a sad pleasure in turning over the pages of ancient Ireland's eventful history. ![]() The McCarthys are said to have been the founders of the ancient portion of this castle from one of whom, surnamed Rohuin or the Nobleman, the name of the fortress, Carrigrohan (the Rock of Rohan), is derived. Its form is oblong, and three of the original high-pitched gables, surmounted with clustering chimney-shafts, still remain which, with the ornamental projections at the angles, and the Tudor label mouldings over the windows, give a picturesque appearance to the building. The other building, which is in better preservation, belongs to that era when the ancient castle began to assume the more peaceful characteristics of the modern manor-house. It consists of two distinct piles one, the more ancient-built in the early feudal times, when the security of the chieftain depended on the number of his followers and the strength of his castle walls-is now a mere heap of ruins, whose massive architecture, narrow, gloomy chambers and vaulted dungeons, show that it must formerly have been a place of some importance. On the summit of a steep rock overhanging the river Lee, stand the picturesque ruins of the Castle of Carrigrohan. Volume I, Chapter III-8 | Start of chapter ![]()
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