The large castle and estate which dominates the area was originally the site of a 15th-century tower house that was owned by the
Barry family. The Freke family, who arrived in Ireland in the seventeenth century, acquired a number of estates in
West Cork, including the former Barry castle. In 1642, during the
Eleven Years' War, the Freke family were forced to defend the castle from
Confederate Irish forces during a sustained siege. Following an intermarriage with members of the Evans family, the combined Evans-Freke dynasty became
Barons of Carbery in the early 18th century. The original 15th-century tower house was damaged by fire and other events, and
John Evans-Freke, 6th Baron Carbery built a new castle on the estate in 1780. The older (Barry) fortification was incorporated into the estate's farm buildings. The building was used as a military barracks during
The Emergency (WWII) before being partially dismantled in the 1950s. who (as of 2019) was restoring the building. The ruins of two churches, one dating to at least 17th century and another to the 19th century, together with an adjacent graveyard, are located on the castle's demesne. A 30-feet cross dedicated to Baron Carbery, the highest memorial cross in Ireland, is located on a hill which is traversed by a local walking trail. == See also ==