The site, which overlooks the Blackwater River some 250 metres to the east, was allegedly where the MacCarthys attempted to establish a castle, only to be attacked and defeated by their rivals, the O’Callaghans. Though no trace of any fortification remains visible today, the story has persisted through generations, first documented by Bowman in 1934.

The tale gained some credence when road construction workers in the area reportedly discovered human bones and swords, suggesting that a significant battle may indeed have taken place here. These finds hint at the violent territorial disputes that characterised medieval Ireland, when powerful clans fought for control over strategic positions along important waterways like the Blackwater.

Interestingly, the Down Survey maps from 1655-6, which documented land ownership across Ireland following the Cromwellian conquest, show no castle in this townland. This absence could mean the structure was never completed due to the O’Callaghan attack, or perhaps it was destroyed so thoroughly that within a century or two, no trace remained for the surveyors to record. The site stands as a reminder of the contested landscapes of medieval Cork, where ambitious building projects could end in bloodshed before the first stones were properly laid.