The Story Of Kanturk Castle, Co. Cork Ireland
“A man’s home is his castle…” so the saying says. Unfortunately in this case, it seems Kanturk Castle, County Cork, Ireland never became a home. Nevertheless, what did get built was and is awesome. The main edifice is made up of four story, while each tower reaches five story.
Today as you ramble around this fine old building, it’s hard to believe that it was raised in about 1601. 4 hundred years later and it is still standing strong. ‘Bualadh bos’ to the stone masons. (Bualadh bos is Irish/Gaelic for applause or praise) Legend tells that sStill stonemasons all named John erected the Castle. Hence at one time the Castle was known as “Carrig-na-Shane-Saor” i.e. The Rock of John the Mason.
There are different points of view on whom just the castle was built for. Some say it was MacDonogh MacCarthy, while others feel it was Dermot McOwen. Even the dating of the monument cannot be agreed upon. Generally it is believed to be late 16th century early 17th century.
Why was it that he never lived in it? Well, there is some more to that adage: ‘A man’s home is his castle …, yet that is, ‘until the Queen arrives’. The neighbors of Kanturk Castle were getting a bit bothered about the size of this building and to the intentions of its being. The Privy Council, which was like close counselors to the Queen of England at the time, was made aware of this and ordered the work on the building to stop. Consequently, ‘A man’s home is his castle until the queen arrives’.
So upset the overlord was, it’s reported that he smashed up the leaded glass and the tiles and threw them into the river.
Over time after that the possession changed ownership several times. Now it is managed by An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, since July 14th 2000.
Why not come and have a look at Kanturk Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland for yourself. As you walk around imagine existing in the 15/1600s with the Mc Donagh MacCarthy’s at Kanturk Castle.