Dunasead Castle

Dunasead Castle (Dún na Séad in Irish means the Fort of the Jewels) is a 17th century fortified house, located in the town of Baltimore, Co. Cork Ireland. The present structure is not the first to have been built on the site, in 1215, Fitzstephens, and Anglo-Norman settlers, built a tower house with a bawn there. It is guessed to have replaced a much older fortification, probably a ring fort. In 1305, the McCarthy’s, one of the most powerful Gaelic septs in the region, attacked and burned down the castle.

The O’Driscolls, who were a much smaller clan, claimed possession of the castle and rebuilt it. The castle proceeded to be attacked and destroyed numerous times, from the Anglo-Norman settlers and Gaelic rivals. One long-running feud was held between the O’Driscolls and the merchants of Waterford City in 1368, following an attack from the O’Driscolls on the Waterford fleet. The feud lasted for more than two centuries ending up in the sacking of Dunasead, Baltimore and other O’Driscoll castles by another Waterford fleet in 1537.

The castle was rebuilt, however, following the O’Driscolls support for Hugh O’Neill at the battle of Kinsale, the castle was surrendered to the English Army. Some of the O’Driscolls received pardons, and the castle was returned to Florence O’Driscoll who then leased it out along with its surrounding lands, due to his financial troubles.

The present castle was built in the 1620’s and then was surrendered to Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1645. It deteriorated into ruins and was recently renovated and is in use as a private residence.