Dúnalong Castle

Sherkin Island, Ireland, Ireland

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Dúnalong Castle, also known as Dún na Long (“Fort of Ships”), is a historic tower house on the eastern side of Sherkin Island in County Cork, Ireland. Built around 1460 by the O’Driscoll clan, the castle occupied a strategic position overlooking Baltimore Harbour and the waters of Roaringwater Bay, allowing its owners to monitor and control maritime activity in the area. The castle played a role in several notable historical events, including an attack by forces from Waterford in 1537 and its use by Spanish troops during the Nine Years’ War in the early 1600s. Ownership later passed through various hands, including English and Cromwellian forces, before the Beecher family occupied it into the 18th century. Today, Dúnalong Castle survives as a picturesque ruin surrounded by coastal scenery. Although much of the original structure has been lost or altered over time, it remains one of Sherkin Island’s most significant heritage sites and offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s medieval past and maritime history.