Afternoon of hunting ' Mahony' Castles

Started with a drive around and found an old Friary in Timoleague which was full of graves, inside and out... even O'Mahonys.. but too recent for us. Very interesting.

Then we found a little Town well which I didn't take phots of... hehe. But the videos is across the road where we parked.

Then the Drombeg Stone Circle and two small hut remains. Similar idea to Stonehenge with sunrise lining up on the winter solstice. Built between 1100 and 800BC!!! About 3000 years old.

And then onto hunting Castles built by my Mahony Ancestors. We found all 5 castles Mum told us of. Only one we couldn't get really close to.

First was Rossbrin Castle.... couldn't get close as its on a private property with gates and signs and all... but we could see from the other side of the bay and there was an info plaque.

Second was the Ardintenant/ White Castle.... we kept driving till we were at it... there were no gates, so we kept going.

Third was Leamcon/ Black Castle which is currently for sale... took a bit of driving and after speaking to a German guy at the nearest house, we had a 20min walk along a road, through a cow paddock and then across a bridge to get to it... but we got there. The end of the peninsula where it is has completely broken off from the mainland now, hence the bridge. Beautiful... close to the most southern point in Ireland

Forth was Dunlough Fort/ Three Castle Head... and the one that made me question if I wanted to know my ancestry... hehe.
The 30min hike to it was challenging. Rather steep through sheep paddocks this time. According to the internet it is the oldest castle in Ireland built in 1207. Well worth it in the end.

Then finally Dunmanus Castle.... easiest to get to as it was on a roadside but.... it was fenced off and had locked gates. Still got a picture.

One thing we did notice of all the castles was how perfect the corners were... no rounded stones for the Mahonys... perfectly sharp cut corners and annoyingly straight.

Up to Ballylicky for the night.
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