Dunboy Castle, Medieval fortress in West Cork, Ireland
Dunboy Castle is a medieval fortress on a coastal promontory near Castletownbere in West Cork. Stone walls stretch across the site overlooking the harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.
The O'Sullivan Bere clan built this fortress in the 15th century to control fishing and collect taxes from harbor traffic. In 1602, the garrison was defeated after a siege by English forces.
Inscriptions in Irish language mark the site where defenders made their stand against invaders. These memorials reflect how the castle remains connected to Irish identity and local memory today.
The ruins are accessible through the surrounding estate, though visitors should wear sturdy footwear due to uneven ground and partial stone structures. Be prepared for exposed coastal conditions with wind and changing weather.
A small garrison held out for an extended period against a much larger besieging force during the 1602 siege. This determined defense made this location a notable example of local resistance to English invasion.
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