Dunboy Castle

The stronghold of the O’Sullivan Bere was Dunboy Castle. O'Sullivan was a Gaelic clan leader and ‘Chief of Dunboy’. The castle is located on the Beara Peninsula in the South West of Ireland near Castletownbeare. It was originally built to defend the harbor of Berehaven. As it was situated so close, it gave O’Sullivan Bere the opportunity to control the sea fisheries, which lay of the Irish coast and to also collect sizeable amounts in taxes from the many Irish and Continental fishing vessels which sheltered in the haven. It was also a center for import/export trade to and from the continent

Although, today, the castle is now in ruins, it was once the scene of the famous Siege of Dunboy in the summer of 1602. It came about when Donal Cam O'Sullivan Bere was in rebellion against the English crown and Elizabeth I sent an army with the strength of 5000 men under the charge of George Carew to suppress the rebels. Although Dunboy castle had only a garrison of 143 men, it was thought unconquerable, however following a fierce artillery bombardment the walls of the castle fell and a hand-to-hand battle commenced, amongst the rubble the defenders of the castle surrendered. The 58 men who surrendered from the two-week siege were taken to the nearest market square and executed.

The site today is now being renovated into a luxury 5 star hotel, which is due to be opened in the summer of 2007. It will boast excellent dining, activity and spa, pool facilities. It is being built around the original foundations of the Dunboy Castle and has panoramic views of typical Irish country beauty.