Clonmeen Castle

Clonmeen Castle lies in a field south of the river Blackwater, east of the village of Banteer in County Cork in Ireland.

There may have been an earlier castle at this site, held by Philip O'Mol in the 14th century. In the 1590s a new castle was built here, probably incorporating  older structures. This new castle probably was built by Connoghor O'Callaghan and was an important seat for the O'Callaghan's. During the wars of the 1640s, the clan was forfeited and the castle destroyed. I don't have any other historical information. If you know more, please mail me.

Clonmeen Castle now consists of a somewhat square bawn with circular flankers at three of its corners.  There is a gap in the wall at the west end of the south side, which at present serves as the entrance. There is also a narrow inserted gateway near the north end of the west side. The flanker in the southeast is the best preserved, with several gunloops. There probably was a keep in the center of the bawn, which was demolished and used to build a lime kiln northeast of the castle.

There isn't a lot to be seen here and what there is, is quite overgrown. Not very interesting.

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