Castle (in Ruins)

Close to shore on small rocky promontory, overlooking Bear Island sound. Dunboy Castle, excavated by Fahy 1967-73 (Gowen 1978, 1-49). Rectangular tower (16.8m E-W; 12.8m N-S); only ground floor survives (max. H 4m). Entered by door at N end E wall, straight mural stairs rises from doorway towards SE corner. Central window opes in N, S and W walls, embrasures covered by segmental vaults. Garderobe shafts in N and W walls. Bawn wall runs E, from S of tower, for 75m where it turns N for 55m. A secondary bawn, with salient angles, built close-in to tower in 1602 when site was besieged and castle reduced to 'a very ruined state' (see CO128-001003-). Star-shaped fort (CO128-001001-) built on site in mid-17th century. Castle of O'Sullivan Beare clan, probably built in 15th century. Site now as revealed by Fahy's excavation. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Dunboy Castle was built in the 17th century by the McCarthy family, a prominent Gaelic clan in Munster, and later held by English forces during the Nine Years' War. It is remembered for its strategic location and as a site of conflict during the early modern period in Irish history.