Mahon Castle and Abbey, County Cork
Photo © Mike Searle, 23 August 2007
Mahon Castle and Abbey, County Cork
Photo © Mike Searle, 23 August 2007
Mahon Castle and Abbey, County Cork Photo © Mike Searle, 23 August 2007 |
Mahon Castle and Abbey, County Cork Photo © Mike Searle, 23 August 2007 |
Mahon Abbey and Castle were built by Geoffrey (Siofra) Hodnett who in 1641 adopted his Christian name as a surname, becoming "MacSiofra" or MacSherry. The nearby village of Courtmacsherry was named after him.
Courtmacsherry (Irish: Cúirt Mhic Seafraidh, meaning "MacSherry's Court") is a picturesque seaside village in County Cork.
Around the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland the major townships in the area were those now known as Timoleague, Lislee, Barryroe and Dunworly. Among the Norman settlers were the De Barrys and the Hodnetts; the former built a castle at Timoleague, and the latter settled in Lislee. The Barrys flourished and gave their name to Barryroe, Rathbarry, etc., whereas the Hodnetts “degenerated into mere Irish”, one branch changing their name to MacSeafraidh (son of Geoffrey), subsequently anglicised to MacSherry or McSharry. Although Barrys and Hodnetts still live in the district, there are no McSherrys.
Between Courtmasherry and Timoleague are the ruins of Abbey-Mahon. It was founded
by the Bernardine monks, and stands close to the waters of the bay. It was endowed
with the eighteen ploughlands which constitute the parish of Abbey-Mahon. But
these were only granted to it whilst it was being built; and when it would be
finished, the monks were to look for their support from other sources.
It was never completed. This dissolution of monasteries was decreed and enforced
before it was roofed, and the lands which Lord Barrymore bestowed to aid in
its erection, being then the property of the abbey, were escheated.
The Hodnetts remained in possession of Courtmasherry until the suppression of the great rebellion, when Edmond Hodnett, who years before was outlawed-as was also his son, James Fitz-Edmond, and his brother, Richard of Barrireagh-and who then represented the Hodnett family, was dispossessed by Cromwell; and most of his lands bestowed on Captain Robert Gookin, who received a grant of Abbey-Mahon and ninteen ploughlands in the vicinity, and subsequently (March 20th, 1656-7) seven ploughlands more.
At the restoration, however, Gookin, who was a most zealous Cromwellian, fearing he would be dispossessed, passed his grants to Lord Orrey-then in high favour with the King-who obtained letters patent for them in his own name, dated March 2nd, 1660; and from him Gookin took a lease, which expired in 1760.
There was but few men in this district displayed more activity in that great effort of the Irish in 1641 to throw off the English yoke than Edmond Hodnett. Scarcely had he declined the invitation to move into the English quarters, when he appeared at the head of four hundred men, and, in conjunction with William Barry, of Agha, prepared to attack a government ship that was coming into the harbour. He drove away sheep and cattle belonging to Mr. Gookin, to the value of £2,000. He seized five horses, twenty cows, and eleven hundred sheep belonging to Mr. Henry Sampson, and, in addition, all his corn and household stuff. He possessed himself of the house, the goods, and estate of poor Burrowes, who shortly after was hanged at Killivarrig wood by Mac-ni-Crimen, of Ballinorohur; and the weapons which he brought away with him he gave to the rebels. And when an unhappy wretch flying for his life from his friend, William Barry, arrived at Courtmasherry, and got into a boat, Hodnett took away the oars, and then told him if he did not be off, he'd cut his throat.