What is recorded here
Fermoyle Castle belonged to the O'Sullivans and still whispers through sandstone blocks buried in nearby farm walls. Owen O'Sullivan bled at Ballinskelligs in 1641 while Cromwellian forces closed in, suggesting the castle watched that violence rather than remaining a quiet country seat. The stones survived the castle, carrying its shape into ordinary buildings where they no longer need to explain themselves.
Fermoyle Castle was reputedly built in the early seventeenth century by the O'Sullivans of Formoyle and Ballycarna, a sub-sept of the O'Sullivan Mores (RIA MS 24 K 43). Owen O'Sullivan was wounded in an engagement with Cromwellian forces at nearby Ballinskelligs in 1641 (Smith 1756, 104).
A number of punch-dressed sandstone blocks are incorporated into old farm buildings located adjacent to NE of KE088-025----.
The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1111. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 31 July 2013
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Indicated (1846).Fairy fort / earthen ringfort · 375 yd
Man-made underground passage in Formaoil (tc Trian Iarthach)Man-made underground passage · 1174 yd
Emlagh LoopWalking route · 1.6 mi
Waterville Beach (Reenore) HotelRuins · 1.7 mi
Reenrow BeachBeach / strand · 1.9 mi
Kineigh Househouse · 2.6 mi
Reglaish Church (in Ruins)Church · 3.3 mi
Ballinskelligs Castle (in Ruins)Castle, tower house · 3.4 mi
KillurlyMountain / peak · 3.5 mi
Ballinskelligs PrioryVisitor information · 3.7 mi