Dunbeacon Castle (in Ruins)

Fragmentary remains of tower house on S shore Dunmanus Bay, on site of earlier coastal promontory fort (CO130-025003-). Part of N end E wall (L 5.5m) and short return of N wall (L 2.2m) stand to three stories. Traces of vault over first floor (axis N-S). Castle of O'Mahony clan, traditionally attributed to Donall O'Mahony (c. 1460) (O'Donoghue 1986, 9). Burnt by O'Mahonys after Desmond confiscations (Ó Murchadha 1985, 234); taken by English forces after fall of Dunboy (Healy 1988, 188). 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

Dunbeacon Castle was built as a tower house during the late medieval period, likely by a local Gaelic family or Anglo-Norman lord, on the site of an earlier promontory fort. It is remembered for its strategic coastal location and as an example of medieval defensive architecture in the region.