Coppinger's Court

Coppinger's Court is a fortified manor house near Rosscarbery in County Cork. The rectangular structure displays nine gables, with a central two-story section and wings that once rose to four stories on the northern side.

Sir Walter Coppinger built this residence between 1616 and 1630 on land he acquired by foreclosing a mortgage held by the previous owner, Fineen O'Driscoll. Construction occurred during a period when fortified dwellings were transitioning from essential defensive structures to symbols of status and comfort.

The architecture represents a transition period from medieval defensive structures to manor houses, incorporating both residential comfort and military protection features.

The ruins sit on private farmland roughly one kilometer from the sea and require permission to visit. Remaining features such as an octagonal chimney and defensive machicolations give a sense of how the building once functioned, making it worth viewing from nearby roads if direct access is not available.

The building contained separate living quarters distributed across different levels, with servants housed in the attic while main reception rooms occupied the central section. This arrangement reveals how social hierarchy was embedded in the physical layout of the residence.

Location: County Cork

GPS coordinates: 51.57167,-9.06694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40