Architectural fragment

The National Monuments Service's description

Dunkerron Castle / Dún Ciaráin: Tower house that served as the principal residence of the O'Sullivan Mores (Bulter 1925, 47). In 1580 Owen O'Sullivan was inaugurated as O'Sullivan More, and he and his second wife, Sily MacCarthy Riabhach, are reputed to have built the manor house adjoining the castle (RIA MS 24 K 43). In 1588 he was described as 'lord of a great country, the Earl's [of Clancarr] seneschal and marshal' (Cal State Papers, 538). In 1632, during its occupancy by Donal O'Sullivan More, the castle was described as 'a strong and defensible building' (Windele 1858, 296-7). It remained O'Sullivan More property until 1656, when it was confiscated. It was then acquired by Sir William Petty, and subsequent attempts by O'Sullivan More to petition the return of his lands failed (Butler 1925, 43-4).

The castle stands on a low rise of limestone outcrop on the grounds of Dunkerron House, c. 3km W of Kenmare. It overlooks Kenmare Bay to S and commands fine views of the Beara Peninsula beyond. A short distance to N is Dunkerron House and a number of modern buildings, while at E are the remains of Dunkerron Court. Close to the base of the castle at its N, E and S sides are the concrete remains of several stages of a crazy golf course.

Some 7.5m SE of Dunkerron Court (KE092-026001-) is a small, masonry-built well-house. Cemented onto its roof is the top of an ogee-headed window which probably derives from the tower house (KE092-026----).

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1108. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 31 July 2013