Short Castle, also known as Castle Gar, stood here until 1642, when it became the scene of fierce combat that would ultimately lead to its complete destruction. Today, no trace of the castle remains above ground; the area has been absorbed into the modern fabric of the town, leaving only historical records to tell its story.

The castle’s destruction came during the tumultuous period of the Irish Confederate Wars, when fortified structures across Ireland became focal points for military action. The fighting at Short Castle in 1642 was particularly severe, with contemporary accounts describing intense battles for control of this strategic position. Following the conflict, the castle was so thoroughly demolished that unlike many other Irish castles of the period, which at least left ruins or foundations visible, Short Castle vanished entirely from the landscape.

Archaeological surveys have confirmed that whilst the site holds historical significance, urban development has erased any physical evidence of the castle’s existence. The location serves as a reminder of how dramatically Ireland’s landscape has changed over the centuries, with entire fortifications disappearing beneath streets and buildings. Historical sources, including Grove White’s extensive documentation and Gillman’s 19th century accounts, preserve the memory of what was once an important defensive structure in North Cork’s medieval landscape.