Ballincollig Castle

Ballincollig Castle lies in a field, next and south of the town of Ballincollig, in County Cork in Ireland.

Ballincollig Castle is a Norman castle, built not long after the Norman invasion of Ireland. The remaining keep dates back to the 13th century. In 1458 the castle was bought by the Barretts from Robert Coil, a knight. It was to be the principal Barrett stronghold up until the early 17th century, when the Barretts came into financial difficulties. For in 1630 the castle was sold to Sir Walter Coppinger after being mortgaged to him by the Barretts for several years. In 1644 it was taken by Cromwell's forces and around 1689 it was garrisoned for James II. But after 1690 it was unused and it fell into disrepair. The keep was repaired by the Wyse family in 1857.

Ballincollig Castle was built on a limestone outcrop and consists of a, more or less, rectangular enclosure with a tall and slender keep in the middle. The northern part of the enclosure is the oldest, for in the 16th century the enclosure was extended southwards to occupy the rest of the outcrop.

A great castle with a beautiful keep. As far as I know, the castle is freely accessible.

Gallery