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Extracted From the O Mahony Journal, No 17, 1994
FIFTEENTH-CENTURY UÍBH EACHACH THIAR:
PROSPERITY AND CULTURE

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna

SITES AND STRUCTURES

Writing in an early issue of this Journal, the late Canon T.J. Walsh (for many years P.P. of Muintir
Bháire and later of Blackrock in Cork City) reminds us, that of the castles in County Cork built by
Gaelic chiefs, one quarter—fourteen out of Windele’s estimated total of fifty-six—were built by
one or other branch of Muintir Mhathúna. Of these fourteen, twelve are counted in Uíbh Eachach
Thiar, which in the late medieval period included the parishes of Cill Mua, Scoil, DubhRos, and
Muintir Bháire.
Six are mentioned in the records of which no trace remains—Lisagrifin, Ballydevlin, Castlemehigan,
Dunkelly, Crookhaven, and Cnoicíní. Archaeologist Pádraig Ó Laoghaire has made a determined
effort to locate the sites of the first three—without success. Little is known of Dunkelly except that it
is mentioned by Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary, as being “on the shore of the lake”. There
is some question about the site at Crookhaven—partly due to some confusion with neighbouring
Lisagriffin. However, it is mentioned in the Dive Downes Visitation of 1699, and Notter2 places the
site near the centre of the village. It appears to be of a rather late date and may have been
intermediate to a manor-house type of structure. As for Cnoicíní, there is considerable doubt as to
whether a building was ever erected on the site; it may have been the contemplated location for
the castle that was ultimately built at Dunmanus. We should also include the “demi-tasse” tower
structure on MeánInis, which gave the latter its anglicized name of Castle Island, although its size
hardly qualifies it as a castle; however, as we shall see, it may have served its useful purpose.

While the standing wall at Dún Beacháin clearly identifies the site, it is a mere fragment of what
was once an imposing tower house built around 1450. The remaining five tower-structures are in
shape, good enough to be interesting.

1. The triple tower-structure at Dún Locha gave the anglicized name of Three Castle Head to the
promontory. It is almost certainly the earliest of the surviving towers. Built on the site of an ancient
dún, it is in sound condition, but the date of construction has not been agreed—at the latest, 13th
century and possibly much earlier. Its spectacular lakeside location and peculiar plan gives Dún
Locha a special interest and one wishes one knew more about it.

2. Ard an tSaighnáin (Ardintennane) dating from the 13th century appears to have been the
main site for the Chief and is in sound condition. The word “saighneán” meant a flashing light,
which implies that from here were sent the signals to his followers on land and sea.

3. Ros Broin, named for a venerated ancestor and built around 1300 is particularly worthy of our
attention and in extremely precarious condition.

4. Dúnmanus, and
5. Léim Con, both built 1430 – 1460 are in sound condition.

The latter pair, together with Ardintennane, the ruined Dún Beacháin, the precarious Ros Broin, and
the obliterated Ballydevlin (built 1495) together constitute the background for an interesting slice of
the economic and cultural life of fifteenth-century Ireland.

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