“A man’s home is his castle…” so the wise proverb says. Ironically in this case, it looks like Kanturk Castle, Cork, Ireland never became a residence. Regardless of it, what did get designed was and is awesome. The main edifice is made up of four story, while each tower stands up to five story.

Now as you walk around this fine old building, it’s hard to imagine that it was raised in about 1601. Twenty scores are over and it is still remaining strong. ‘Bualadh bos’ to the stone masons. (Bualadh bos is Irish/Gaelic for applause or praise) Legend tells that sEven stone masons all named John worked on the Castle. So at one time the building was referred to as “Carrig-na-Shane-Saor” i.e. The Rock of John the Mason.

There are various points of view on whom exactly the castle was built for. Some say it was McDonogh MacCarthy, while others believe it was Dermot MacOwen. Even the dating of the building cannot be agreed upon. Generally it is believed to be late 16th century early 17th century.

Why was it that he never lived in it? Well, there is some more to that proverb: ‘A man’s home is his castle …, but that is, ‘until the Queen arrives’. The neighbors of Kanturk Castle were growing a bit concerned about the hugeness of this edifice and to the reasons of its existence. The Privy Council, which was like close counselors to the Queen of England at the time, was told about this and ordered the work on the building to be kept under wraps. Consequently, ‘A man’s home is his castle until the queen arrives’.

So agitated the overlord was, it’s said that he shattered the leaded glass and the tiles and threw them into the river.

Over time after that the ownership changed ownership numerous times. Now it is taken care of by An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, since 14th July 2000.

Why not come and visit Kanturk Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland for yourself. As you stroll around imagine existing in the 15/1600s with the Mac Donagh MacCarthy’s at Kanturk Castle.