O'Keeffe Clan

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O’Keeffe Castles:

MacCarthy Mor Castle
(also known as Killarney Castle)
History of the MacCarthy Mor Castle is situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lein or the lower lake and gives its name to that portion known as the Bay of Castlelough. In early times this district was known as Eoghanacht Loch Lein. The families who ruled there, were descended from a common ancestor, Eoghan or Owen. Their descendants to-day are known by the family names of McCarthy, O’Sullivan, O’Mahony, O’Keeffe, O’Donovan and O’Donoghue.

The remaining castles listed below are from James Healy’s book:
The Castles of County Cork With 72 line drawings and 10 maps
by James N. Healy
Copyright © 1988 by James N. Healy,
Material reproduced by permission of the publisher.

The Mercier Press Limited
4 Bridge Street Cork
24 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1

Athan: Little Ford
(also known as Aghane Castle)

There must be some doubt as to whether Ahane was ever a castle: local opinion is that it was no more than a mansion lived in by the O’Keeffe’s after they were forced westwards. O’Riordans now live on the farm – the house of which is said to have been partly built from the old castle or house which lay further towards the Owentaraglin River in a field approaching a tall cliff. No trace remains, and there is no local idea of what the building looked like, and it has been gone, as far as memory goes, for over a hundred years. It was in all likelihood no more than ‘a castellated mansion’, as is suggested by Cronnelly in his Irish Family History, of the O’Keeffes.

The leaders of the family, or branch of them, resided here after leaving Dromagh and Drominagh during the middle of the 17th century (see also Cullen and Duarrigle). The O’Keeffe lands at Ahane had in fact been confiscated after the Desmond rebellion, but the family lived on as tenants until well into the 19th century in diminishing splendour. When the last member lay dying in Millstreet Union Work House, as told to me by the Hickey brothers of Cullen, dogs were heard crying. This was said to be the case when any member of the family was about to die. They were fond of their dogs, and insisted on taking them into the church at Cullen during Mass until the priest denounced them from the alter. They were so enraged at this that one Sunday after Mass they followed him from Cullen to Nohavaldaly to kill him: but his horse jumped over a stream at Nohaval and sudden flood prevented them from following. (p. 298)

Ballindura Castle
The Townland of the Monuments

… The castle when in existence was held by the O’Keeffes. After the Confederate War the O’Keeffes lost their land, which had stretched from Templemichael to Glenville and much of it went to the Barrys. Some was also reclaimed by MacCarthy, Earl of Clancarty as head landlord. Finghin Mac Airt Ui Chaoimh has been mentioned as having been in possession after the Desmond rebellion of 1583.

Local historian John Healy told a story of one Caol MacArt O’Keeffe, who lived the life of a rapparee. On his death bed the local priest told Caol MacArt that he would never see the gates of Heaven. After Caol died the priest, traveling on a lonely road at night, heard the sound of whirlwind and suddenly saw Caol mounted on a white horse on the ditch above him. ‘How fares it?’ said the priest, ‘since you led the life of a robber?’ Caol answered that he only robbed the rich in order to give to the poor, and he then vanished. The story is of the time following Cromwell’s devastation when many dispossessed Irish gentry who scorned a move ‘to Hell or Connaught’ were supported by the country folk and lived as outlaws. (p. 18)

Ballindura Castle – Carraig na bhFear

There were four castles in the area of note, one was at John Murphy’s Ballyvorisheen, the stone from which was used in building the Catholic church in Carraig na bhFear. The second was at Michael Horgan’s, Ballindura. The third was at Dun Bollogue in Murphy’s field across from the cemetery and the fourth was in the grounds of the McCarthy’s great house now Sacred Heart College. In the 1500’s the McCarthys were given their lands by the Earl of Desmond. From time to time at Michael Horgan’s Ballindura there can still be found cannonballs from the result of a battle once fought there by Cromwell.

Ballyenehan Castle
also known as Ballyhandle or Ballyhenley Castle
Baile Atha O’Henegan: The Townland of Henigan’s Ford

The old castle of the O’Keeffe’s stood on the left bank of the Funcheon river between two fords. There is not a trace left.

… The remains of the castle were picked up and carted away by the O’Keeffes some thirty years ago and the site laid out in keeping with the rest of the field. It was mentioned by Windele as having been ‘an arched Medieval Peel House’. The O’Keeffes were at that time still strong in the area, and descendants are still there. (p. 376)

Ballyheen Castle
Bailein: Little Townland

Very little is known locally of its history, and it is presumed to have been an O’Keeffe castle. Stones of buildings in Sherlock’s yard are in all likelihood from the castle, but also possibly from a church which stood in Sherlick’s field. Both castle and church would have suffered damage during the battle of Knocknanuss which was fought in 1647 during the Confederate War in the immediate area (see Assolas). The Hill of Knocknanuss looms over the area between Ballyheen and Asloas House, and the Sherlicks pointed out two large marking stones in the field to me, which lie undisturbed and where tradition says many of those killed in the battle were buried. Tradition says that many of the fatalities, including Alaister MacDonnell, were buried in a common grave at the church in Buttevant. (p. 303)

Ballymaquirk Castle
Baile Mac Quirk: The Townland of Quirke’s Son

According to an article in the Duhallow Magazine of 1978/9 by Mrs Stephen ‘the O’Keeffes had Castles at Dromagh, Drominagh and Duarigle, as well as castellated mansions at Ahane, Cullen and Ballymaquirk.’

This would seem to express the position in a phrase, although there is little trace of any of them apart from Dromash. This proud Gaelic family almost disappeared from their position of power after the Confederate War.

The family of Ballymaquirk seem to have descended from Daniel the son of Art O’Keeffe (1547-1616), whose wife Honora daughter of Dermot MacCarthy of Enniskeane. Daniel had command of a company of foot at the battle of Knocknanuss in 1641, and his son, another Art, also supported Charles II. He commanded a company of foot and in the Declaration of Royal Gratitude a proviso was made for him. The son of another brother, Finghin, was also described as ‘of Ballymaquirk’, although the family lost much of their land to Cromwell. Daniel’s son Arthur was killed at Aughrim, but his son Nicholas escaped to France where the family built their future. Hudson O’Keeffe also made it to France where his grandson became keeper of the Royal Treasury of Louis XV. Bally Maquirk had been mortgaged to Sir Philip Perceval before the Confederate War, and being ‘rebels’ they forfeited their title. (p. 305)

Bealabahillo Castle
Baile Bachaillo: The Townland of the Shepherd’s Crook, or Bishop’s Crozier

… Manus O’Keeffe ‘of Ballybahallagh’ was pardoned at the time of the first Desmond Rebellion, but does not otherwise seem to have been involved. (p. 306)

Cullen Castle
Cuileann Ui Chaoimh: O’Keeffe’s Corner

A Statement in Cronnelly’s Irish Family History, issued last century says that the O’Keeffes had castellated mansions at Cullen as well as at Ahane and Ballymaquirk. This statement has been accepted by other writers since then, who also mention their principal castle at Dromagh, and the others at Drominagh and Duarrigle. I visited Padraig O Hlochadha and his brother near Cullen, both very knowledgeable on the district. They were of the opinion that it is unlikely that there was ever a separate castle at Cullen, apart from Ahane, which is reasonably near. They felt Cronnelly may have meant Duarigle.

… Cornelius Oge O’Keeffe of Cullen was attained in 1641 (the parish might of course have been meant) and the Petty Map immediately after that period does show a large building which appears to be either a castle or a castellated mansion. In an inquisition of 1638 Cullen is listed among the lands of Art O’Keeffe. (p. 324)

Cullin Tower
(also known as Earl of Desmond’s Tower)
Cillin: Little Church of the Child’s Burial Place

Many of the earlier writers described the tall slender tower which was said – probably erroneously – to have been ‘lived in by an Earl of Desmond’. This was also called ‘Caislean Caoimhin’, or ‘the Castle of young O’Keeffe’. It probably was originally a form of watch tower or guard house to the Franciscan Friary which once graced the place. It is now incorporated into the rear portion of the Catholic Church, where it can be recognized on a clear inspection, although it was freshly pointed and was cleverly incorporated into the 19th century church by the architect Charles Cotterel. Richard R Brash commented: ‘Its position shows it to have occupied the external angle of the square plan of which all the Franciscan houses are constructed. One or more towers are generally connected with monastic edifice in this country, as at Ballbeg and at Bridgetown, both in this neighbourhood. In fact many of our ecclesiastical buildings were strongly fortified – of which Cashel in an illustration – a precaution rendered necessary by the troubled stare of the country during the middle ages.’ This is sometimes referred to as ‘Killenns Castle’. (p. 325)

Dromagh Castle – James N. Healy

Drominagh Castle
Dromin Atha: The Little Fort on the River Crossing

The third castle of the O’Keeffes in the north-west Cork area to Dromagh and Duarigle was at Drominagh (Drom-EEn-ah) which was above a stream on the road to Boherboy from Dromagh Castle on the right of the road and straight on from the crossroads to Cullen and Kanturk for less than half-a-mile. It is on the other side of the road and in a field, which is opposite a secondary road to the left. Only a rocky mound on which the castle was built remains. It was wrecked during the Confederate War. An inquisition of 1638 indicated that Art O’Keeffe died possessed of the castles and lands of Drominagh and Dromtarrife.

The last O’Keeffe to own the castle was Hugh who surrendered to Broghill after prolonged resistance in May 1654. He sent his heir to the care of the MacAuliffes and went aboard (see Dromagh) for a time. Mr Moynahan National Teacher of Kanturk told me that descendants came about twenty years ago asking to see the site. Broghill burned the nearby church, so was probably responsible for the destruction of the castle as well. Little or nothing is known of its independent history apart from that of Dromagh. (p. 333)

Dromsicane Castle
Drom Siochan: The Ridge of the Seat (Big House)

Dromsicane is ofter described as having been a castle of the O’Keeffes, and indeed it appears to have been in O’Keeffe territory. It certainly was in the hands of the MacDonogh MacCarthys by the start of the seventeenth century, as an inquisition into the lands of Donogh MacCormac (MacDonogh) on 14 August 1604 indicates; wherein it stated that ‘he was seized of the Castles of Lohort, Kanturk and Dromsicane’ when he was killed in rebellion on 4 August 1600. He took legal action in 1592 against some of the MacCarthys of Drishane who had taken over Dromsicane and other townlands. (p. 335)

Additional Information:
Dromsicane Castle – millstreet.ie
http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/history/dromsicane-castle

Dromtariffe Castle
Drom Tarbh: The Ridge of the Bull

Listed in C.H.A.J. Volume 13 as ‘ Parish of Drumtariffe – O’Keeffes’. There is no record of a castle so named. Dromagh (q.v.) is probably meant. There may however have been a separate castellated mansion used as a residence by Captain Daniel O’Keeffe when lands were restored to him by King Charles II, for whom he had fought in France, as he is described as residing ‘at Dromtarriffe’. At that time Dromagh was in all likelihood ruinous. (p. 336)

Duarrigle Castle – James N. Healy

Dunbulloge Castle
Dun Bolg: the Fort of the Bag(?)

It was held, as were the castles at Ballindura and Ballyvorisheen by branch of the ancient Gaelic family of the O’Keeffes of Dromagh who had been thrown west from their settlements around Fermoy at the time of the Norman advance. In this area their land extended north to Glenville. Fineen MacArt O’Keeffe of Dunbulloge, together with Art MacDonal MacArt O’Keeffe of Glenville, and Thady O’Keeffe of Knocknahorgan took part with James Fitzmaurice in the first Desmond rebellion, and, with the Barrys of Poulacurry and Rahinisky, they were attained. However they seemed to have lain low after this for Dunbulloge was one of the places plundered by O’Neill in 1600, following the refusal of David Barry of Barryscourt to join him. IN 1619 Art O’Keeffe, a cousin of Art of Dromagh, was granted ‘the castle and mills of Dunbullog’ with other various lands. They were heavily involved in the Confederate War of 1641-52 however, on the Irish side, and failure here swept the O’Keeffes, as powerful landlords, out of the area.

Caol Art O’Keeffe (see Ballindura) is a semi-legendary figure of the countryside. He is said to have possessed Dunbulloge, which was felled by Cromwell, and he continued his existence as a rapparee after the family was dispossedded. He is recorded as having been involved in a battle near Castlelyons against the Barrymores (possibly in Castlehaven’s advance) and to have been buried in Bunbulloge graveyard. There is the not unusual story of a ‘churn of gold’ being buried by Caol, also in the graveyard; and the O’Keeffes were said to have made wine in caves in the vicinity (possibly at Ballindura). (p. 51)

Kilmeedy Castle
Cill Mide: The Church of St Mide, or Ite.

… Although the MacCarthys lost their lands following Williamite times it appears as part of the inheritance of Donogh MacOwen MacCarthy, the centenarian (see Drishane) and in 1728 is included in his estate. In June of 1713 the castle had been attacked by a party which included the dispossessed Tadhg O’Keeffe, formerly of Ballymaquirk; – a noted troublemaker who was later killed in a drunken brawl in Kanturk. (p. 58)


From A Guided Tour of Duhallow and Ballyhoura
24. CAHERBARNAGH/KILMEEDY
The trail takes you along by Caherbarnagh, a beautiful hillside townland famed in song and story. Its beautiful purple mountain is a delight to view on a sunny afternoon in late summer when the purple heather is in bloom and the last rays of the sinking sun rest on the slopes of this majestic mountain. The road winds its way eastwards to Croohigs Cross where you turn south through the townlands of Kippagh and Ballydaly to a beautiful scenic view on top of the hill, and from here the road winds along the slope of Caragh mountain towards the Millstreet-Macroom road at Kilmeedy. St. Ita established her church at Cill M’ida [Kilmeedy] early in the 6th century. As you approach the junction of the Millstreet-Macroom road you will see Kilmeedy Castle on your right. This castle was built in 1436 as a military stronghold to command the wild mountain pass between Cork and Kerry. The trail turns left towards Millstreet town where our journey began. A visit to Millstreet Museum and tourist Information Centre will provide you with any further information you may require.

Nohaval Castle
Nua Chongbhail: New Settlement

… The view from the spot immediately over the river to the north, where I imagine a castle would have been, is magnificent, and would give all that a guardian fortress at the edge of a territory would need to provide. The Paps of Dana form the central point of this spectacular view. This particular site bears all the evidence of being an old lios, which tends to make the site a likely one. The bridge below is also called Duncannon bridge after this old lios or Dun. The castle if it existed, and I feel despite the lack of local knowledge or documentation that it must have done, would have been of the O’Keeffes; but up to the time of the finalization of my notes I have nothing absolutely positive, beyond the fact that an inquisition of 1639 described Art O’Keeffe of Dromagh as being owner of the land. Despite the name the O’Daly land would, at that later state at least, have been on the other side of the river, in Kerry. It is possible of course that at one time they may have held land under the O’Keeffes. (p. 360)