O'Driscoll Castle, Cape Clear No.1

EFA-92

O’Driscoll Castle Cape Clear Dún an Óir

“Time takes Tower, Marquess, Rector, Rook, Castle. Rock itself succumbs.”

– SJ Mannion

On Cape Clear Co. Cork you can find “Dún an Óir” (“The Gold Fort”) which served as the keep of the O’Driscoll’s who once ruled the island. The O’Driscoll’s were a pirate clan who controlled the area around the town of Baltimore, Sherkin Island and Cape Clear Island up until the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Sir Fineen was the last of the O’Driscoll’s to launch ships upon the waves, sacking towns in Waterford and Wexford.

During the nine years war Fineen sided with the O’Neills of Tír Eoghain and the O’Donnells of Tír Chonaill against the forces of the British Crown. During the invasion which led to the battle of Kinsale, Fineen allowed the forces of the Spain to be garrisoned in Dún an Óir. Fineen survived that war and was forgiven his rebellion, but was called to London to attend the Queen. Elizabeth died soon after, and Fineen quickly followed her to the grave.

– Enda Cavanagh