Monkstown Co. Cork

(Irish: Baile na Manach), ‘the town of the monk’, formerly anglicised as Ballinvannegh) is a village in County Cork, Ireland, in the old barony of Kerrycurrihy. It lies 14 kilometres southeast of Cork city on the estuary of the River Lee, facing Great Island and looking onto Monkstown Bay. For census purposes, Monkstown is combined with the nearby town of Passage West, and the combined area has a population of approximately 5,800 residents.

History and name

The name of the village is said to derive from an early monastic site near to where Monkstown Castle now stands. Although no archaeological evidence remains for the monastery, the site of the monastery’s abbey is referenced (as Legan Abbey) in 19th century maps and works. Over time, the name Baile an Mhanaigh/Monkstown overtook the old name Baile an Fealach (Foley’s homestead), although the latter name persists in the name of a townland of the village: Ballyfouloo.

Monkstown Castle

Monkstown Castle is a fortified tower house that was constructed around 1636 by Anastasia Archdeacon, reputedly as a surprise gift for her husband John. He had been fighting with the Spanish Catholics in the continental wars of the time. As implausible legend has it that, when John Archdeacon’s ship entered Monkstown bay, a cannonball was fired at the castle, as it was believed to have been built by an occupying force. Anastasia Archdeacon hired workers to come to Monkstown to build the castle. She housed the workers (in accommodation built specially for them),and fed and clothed them (for a price). Once the workers had settled up their bills with her, it is said that the overall cost of the castle worked out at about four pence. The Archdeacons are buried close by in a now overgrown graveyard.

The castle was, over the centuries, owed or occupied by Cromwellian soldier Thomas Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh Michael Boyle, and the Bernard Shaw family. Later used as a club house for the nearby Monkstown Golf Club, the castle was seriously damaged by fire in the 1970s. The castle has since been partially renovated, and, as of 2018, on the market for sale.

Print Size 1114.81 x 152.4 mm (Unframed) – €140