Page 19 - O Mahony Journal 2025

A “Best” Perspective on Leamcon Castle

by Linda McConnell Baker
O Mahony Society Council and Website Administrator

It was recently noted in the West Cork print news
that Leamcon Castle was for sale, which prompted
consideration of a review of this magnificent O
Mahony castle near Schull.

Online sales information reveals that the raised
entry, detached structure has two bedrooms and one bathroom in its 153
m² (just under 1600 ft²) living space. The Eircode is P81 XD39, and the
Building Energy Rating (BER) is “SI No. 666.”
Appreciating the European communities’ Statutory Instrument (SI)
legislation mandates BER certificates for all buildings being sold or rented
after January 2009, the online ads did not disclose the castle’s specific
energy efficiency rating (A to G), nor its asking price, which is “available
upon application.”

The Southern Star’s December 2024 article, highlighting the realty listing,
was a wonderful reminder of the rich history of Leamcon Castle we have
read in previous O Mahony Society Journal articles, heard in our lectures,
and learned from other sources. Listed in the Homes and Property section
of the newspaper, Leamcon was the “House of the Week” with the title, “A
rare chance to own a historic West Cork Castle” and the subtitle “Spectacular
15 century home perched on Mizen peninsula.” Written by Martin Claffey,
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the text is transcribed here:
“They used to say a man’s home is his castle, and that’s literally the case at
Leamcon Castle, which is now for sale in West Cork.
The 15 century structure, also known as the Black Castle, stands majestically
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keeping watch over Roaringwater Bay.
With spectacular views and stepped [sic] in history, the current owner of
the property is now selling, and it is attracting plenty of interest. Having
been abandoned late in the 17 century, it gained a new lease of life in
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the late 20 century when it was purchased by the current owner, an Irish
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architect.
‘He bought it off a local family in Schull. It’s actually on an island, and a
footbridge links it to the mainland. It can also be accessed by boat from the
water,’ says selling agent Colm Cleary of auctioneers James Lyons O’Keeffe.

‘The current owner got to work restoring the structure. Now, when you
enter the property, you arrive at a first floor ‘reception’ area.

There’s a shower and a toilet on this level. When you go to the next level,
there’s a living space with two bedrooms and what could – loosely – be
described as a kitchen living area. It needs a lot of renovation,’ says Colm,
as some facilities have remained unchanged since its stormier days half a
millennium ago. There’s no mains water, other than harvesting rainwater,
and for power it’s currently using an electric generator. But looking out on
the top level, from the castle’s renovated roof that captures the imagination,
the view takes the breath away, says Colm. ‘I’ve seen some spectacular
views but nothing like this,’ he said.

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