Overview
Dún na Long Castle (Irish: Dún na Long, “Fort of Ships”) crowns the eastern edge of Sherkin Island, a small island off the southwest coast of County Cork. The ruin sits on a low rise overlooking the entrance to Baltimore Harbour, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic and the surrounding islands. Its name reflects the island’s historic maritime role – the castle once guarded a busy shipping lane and served as a garrison for local chieftains, Spanish forces, and later English soldiers.
The structure is a classic Irish tower house, built of local stone with a rectangular footprint and a modest defensive wall. Today the tower’s upper story has collapsed, but the lower walls, a fragment of the original curtain wall, and a sloping pier remain visible. Wild herbs, especially parsley, grow among the stones, hinting at the daily life of its former occupants.
Historical Background
The earliest reliable record of Dún na Long appears on the Down Survey map of 1658, which sketches a crenellated tower house on the site. Local tradition credits the O’Driscoll clan with constructing the castle in the mid‑15th century. Contemporary research points to Florence O’Driscoll, chief of the O’Driscoll clan, as the builder around 1460 – the same patron who founded the nearby Franciscan Friary.
The O’Driscolls owned a network of fortifications across Roaring Water Bay, including Oldcourt, Rincolisky, Lough Hyne, Ardagh, Dún an Óir on Cape Clear and Dún na nGall on Ringarory Island. Their wealth came from controlling the fisheries and shipping lanes of the eastern side of the bay, allowing them to import fine wines and maintain a small fleet.
In 1537 the O’Driscolls seized a wine cargo bound for Waterford. In retaliation, a force from Waterford landed on Sherkin, destroyed Dún na Long, ransacked the Franciscan friary and burned the island’s villages – an episode recorded locally as the Battle of the Wine Barrels.
During the Battle of Kinsale (1601‑02) the Spanish garrison rebuilt the castle and nearby Dunasead Castle. After the Spanish defeat the stronghold was handed to Captain Roger Harvey. The Cromwellian conquest saw the castle surrender to Captain Bennett in 1645. The Beecher family occupied the ruin until 1768, after which the stones were scavenged for building material and the upper levels collapsed.
Layout and Architecture
Unlike the typical square tower house, Dún na Long sits on a narrow promontory. The bawn wall is elongated, running the length of the site rather than forming a compact square. A corner tower sits at the landward end where the bawn meets the sea‑ward wall. The original entrance was a raised entry in the west wall, similar to that at Dunmanus Castle, but the present ground‑level doorway is a later enlargement of a former window.
Historical sketches suggest a cannon was once mounted on the seaward side – an unusual feature for an Irish tower house, indicating the strategic importance of the position. Thick walls with a pronounced base batter are still evident, testifying to the defensive purpose of the building.
Nearby Facilities & Marina
A short, well‑marked footpath leads from the Sherkin Island car park (near the ferry terminal at Harboursmouth) to the castle ruins. For boaters, the Seahorse Marina – sometimes referred to as the Dún‑na‑Long Marina – sits just 50 yards from the site. Open from mid‑April to mid‑September (weather permitting), the marina offers mooring, electricity and water. Rates range from €15 to €40 per night depending on vessel size. Refreshments and basic food are available at the adjacent Islander’s Rest B&B.
Events and Seasonal Highlights
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Sherkin Regatta – The island’s biggest summer event, usually held on the third weekend of July (postponed to August if weather forces it). The regatta brings a surge of visitors, rowing crews and festive activities, making the castle’s surroundings lively.
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Summer Walking Routes – The island’s network of sign‑posted trails links Dún na Long with the Franciscan Friary, the Wedge Tomb at the western tip, Kinish Harbour (a sheltered lagoon popular with seals and dolphins), and the sandy Silver Strand and Cow Strand beaches. Guided walks are occasionally organised by local volunteers during July and August.
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Wildlife Spotting – Spring and summer bring butterflies, bees, and seabirds such as terns and gulls to the herb‑laden walls. The surrounding waters are frequented by seals, porpoises and occasional dolphin pods, especially around the harbour entrance.