English: Castles of Munster: Castle Lyons, Cork One of the chief seats of the Barry family in the 13c, the southern part of this fortified house or stronghouse may well date from that period. It lies in a field off the main road behind a small industrial site, now quite ruinous and covered with encroaching foliage. With most of its walls over 4 feet thick, it was quite capable of being defended almost as well as any castle, when during the turmoil of the 1640s the mansion became an important English stronghold against the rebel Irish. After its commander Sir Charles Vavasour's defeat at Manning Ford, Castle Lyons was captured by Lord Castlehaven. Although not lived in by the Barrymores at the time, It remained habitable until 1771, when it was accidentally destroyed by fire caused by careless workmen.