The fortress appeared marked as ‘in ruins’ on a 1777 map, suggesting some structure still stood at that time, but by the 1842 Ordnance Survey it had been reduced to merely ‘site of’, indicating complete destruction. Today, the location is partially covered by a modern slurry pit, with only subtle hints in the landscape; a slight rise to the west and a slope descending southward and westward towards a stream, marking where the castle once commanded its position.

The complete disappearance of Barry Castle isn’t entirely mysterious. According to local knowledge passed down through generations, the stones from the demolished fortress found new life in the construction of nearby farm buildings, a common practice that saw many Irish castles recycled into more practical structures during the 18th and 19th centuries. This pragmatic reuse of building materials means that whilst the castle itself has vanished, its substance quite literally forms part of the agricultural landscape that replaced it.

Barry Castle belonged to a branch of the family descended from David fitz David Barry Roe, part of the extensive Barry dynasty that held considerable power across Cork from the medieval period onwards. The Barrys, originally Anglo-Norman settlers who arrived in Ireland during the 12th century, established numerous strongholds throughout the county, with this particular castle serving as one of many seats for different branches of the family. Its reduction from fortress to farm speaks to the broader transformation of the Irish landscape following centuries of conflict and changing agricultural practices.