Raheen Castle

Raheen Castle lies in a field on the eastern shore of Castlehaven harbor, in County Cork in Ireland.

Raheen Castle was probably built by Donal II O'Donovan after he succeeded his father in 1584. Their main seat was Castle Donovan up north, Raheen Castle was built to protect their maritime interests.

In 1641 Donal III O'Donovan had sided with the Stuarts and participated in the Rebellion of 1641. This caused Oliver Cromwell's soldiers to attack Castle Donovan after which Donal fled with his family to Raheen Castle. In 1649 Cromwell's forces also bombarded Raheen and it lost its east wall. It remained a ruin ever since. Donal III was forfeited and lost the castle. The O'Donovans later recovered it only to be forfeited again in the 1690s, this time by the Williamites.

Raheen Castle seems to be on private land, so it is not accessible. A nicely situated tower ruin.

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