Kanturk Castle, County Cork Ireland - So The Story Goes
“A man’s home is his castle…” so the saying affirms. Sadly in this case, it turns out that Kanturk Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland never became a place of living. However, what did get designed was and is magnificent. The main building is made up of four story, while each tower stands up to 5 story.
Now as you ramble around this great old building, it’s hard to believe that it was raised in about 1601. 4 centuries are over and it is still holding strong. ‘Bualadh bos’ to the stonemasons. (Bualadh bos is Irish/Gaelic for applause or praise) Legend says that sEven stonemasons all named John worked on the Castle. Hence at one time the Castle was called as “Carrig-na-Shane-Saor” i.e. The Rock of John the Mason.
There are several points of view on whom exactly the castle was constructed for. Some think it was MacDonogh MacCarthy, while others feel it was Dermot McOwen. Even the dating of the monument cannot be agreed upon. usually it is known 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 becoming a bit concerned about the hugeness of this building and to the reasons of its purpose. The Privy Council, which was like close advisors to the Queen of England at the time, was informed and ordered the work on the structure to stop. Thus, ‘A man’s home is his castle until the queen arrives’.
So disappointed the overlord was, it’s reported that he shattered the leaded glass and the tiles and flung them into the river.
Down through time after that the property changed ownership numerous times. Now it is managed by An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland, since 14th July 2000.
Why not come and visit Kanturk Castle for yourself. As you stroll around think of being in the 15/1600s with the Mac Donagh McCarthy’s at Kanturk Castle.
Other references to Kanturk Castle: An Taisce press release, “The story of Kanturk Castle” by Jean J. MacCarthy
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