Dunboy Castle

[1][2] The castle's tower house and bawn were destroyed in the 1602 Siege of Dunboy, though its ruins remain open to the public.

[3] Originally a stronghold of the O'Sullivan Bere clan, Dunboy Castle was built in the 15th century to guard and defend the harbour of Berehaven.

[2] Its presence enabled the O'Sullivan Bere family, including Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare a Gaelic clan leader and 'Chief of Dunboy', to control the sea fisheries off the Irish coast and collect taxes from Irish and continental European fishing vessels sheltering in the haven.

At that time, Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare was in rebellion against the English crown,[4] and Elizabeth I had sent a 5000-strong army under the command of Sir George Carew to suppress the insurgents.

Even with its small garrison of 143 men,[5] Dunboy Castle was thought to be impregnable but following a fierce artillery bombardment the walls were smashed and after some desperate hand-to-hand fighting amid the rubble the defenders were finally overcome.