Castletownshend Castle, County Cork
Photo © Mike Searle, 1 July 2009
Castletownshend Castle, County Cork Photo © Mike Searle, 1 July 2009 |
On Ireland's southwest coast, is Castletownshend village, about 8 km from Skibbereen, in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. The village developed around a small 17th century castle built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there. As of 2007, the castle is open to the public as a bed and breakfast.
The main street of the town, lined with large homes from the 18th century, runs down a sharply sloped hill leading to Castlehaven Harbor and the castle. St. Barrahane's Church overlooks the town. It is noted for its stained glass windows, some by Harry Clarke, and for the classical music festival it has sponsored every year since 1980.
Castletownshend was the home of Edith Anna Somerville the co-author of the Irish RM series of humorous novels on Irish Life in the early 1900s. Her home Drishane house, is open for public visits and hosts an exhibition of items related to her life and works.