The fortress once stood near a house marked as ‘The Garrison’ on 1935 Ordnance Survey maps, but even that building has crumbled away, leaving only foundation traces in the grass. Historical maps tell us the castle was definitely here; it appears on Jobson’s map from around 1589 and again on the Down Survey barony maps created between 1654 and 1659.

The castle’s documented history reveals a typical story of changing fortunes and ownership in post-medieval Ireland. In 1611, the Crown regranted these lands to David Lord Roche, specifically mentioning ‘the castle, town and lands of Ballimullgwoly’ in the official records. The Roche family held onto the property until 1682, when Theobald Roche sold it to James Cotter. During the Williamite wars at the end of the 17th century, English forces garrisoned the castle, using it as a strategic military position overlooking the valley.

By the 18th century, the castle was already falling into ruin. The historian Charles Smith, writing in 1750, recorded its use during the wars but gave no indication it was still standing. When local historian Grove White visited in 1904, he found only part of a castle wall still upright; even that fragment has since disappeared. Today, visitors to this clifftop site need a good imagination to picture the medieval stronghold that once commanded these spectacular views across North Cork.