Dromagh Castle

Dromagh Castle lies in the north of the townland of the same name, in County Cork in Ireland.

Dromagh Castle was probably built around 1582 by Art O Caoimh, a forefather of the O'Keeffe's. There is said to have been a 5-storey tower house in the middle of the bawn. Also the castle would originally have had 2 moats; one circling the tower house inside the bawn and one outside the bawn. Both have since long been filled in. This castle was the principal seat of the O'Keeffe's.

The castle was taken by Oliver Cromwell in 1652 and its defenders were executed. Tradition has it that a large group of defenders managed to escape through a secret tunnel that lead from inside the castle to a nearby farm. Following the Jacobite period Dromagh Castle was finally lost for the O'Keeffe's.

In the mid-18th century it was occupied by the Philpot family. Later it passed to the Leader family, who remodeled it into a country house and outbuildings. The 2 gateways, the crenelations and the upper parts of the corner towers date back to their time.

Around 1920-1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the castle was burned by local Volunteers.

Dromagh Castle is still part of a farm and is private property, so it is not freely accessible. A nice lady granted me permission. A very nice castle.

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