County Cork

#Sunday #lazysunday #RecommendedReading We are absolutely taken by this article by David Kamp for Vanity Fair Magazine and this ambitious restoration of a 15th Century Irish Castle, Kilcoe, undertaken by Actor Jeremy Irons. . The kitchen. Photo: Photograph by Simon Upton. . Its a wonderful read. We encourage you to pick up the October 2017 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine and read it for yourself or view it online. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/inside-kilcoe-castle-jeremy-irons-irish-castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #interiordesigngoals #architecture #architecturelovers #homedesign #designinspiration #interiordesigninspiration #homedecor #designblog #vanityfair #kilcoe #jeremyirons #irishcastle #kitchens #historicalplace #instainteriordesign #instafurniture #designinspiration #instastyle #interiordesignersofinsta #kitchengoals #kitchendecor #instainterior #interiors #interiordesignblog #interiordesignideas #antiques #designanddecoration (at Kilcoe Cottage)

Kilcoe Castle, which is technically a tower house not a castle, was the headquarters of a McCarthy sept called Clan Dermod. It was built in two stages on the tiny island of Mannin Beg during the 1400s. Like most of the castles in the western reaches of West Cork it was strategically positioned close to the shoreline where its chieftain could keep a close eye on the surrounding rich fishing ground that provided them with much of their income. The Gaelic lordship of West Cork ended in the years after the defeat of the Irish and Spanish forces at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Among those who were killed in that conflict was Chief Owen of Clan Dermod. In 1603 Kilcoe Castle was the last Gaelic stronghold in West Cork to fall to English forces. In the decades afterwards many of the McCarthys of Kilcoe Castle settled in continental Europe and their castle fell into ruin. Thus it remained until the 1990s when the castle was purchased by the actor Jeremy Irons, who faithfully restored it and gave it its distinctive colour.  Today, some 700 years since it was first built, it continues to rule majestically over the inner waters of Roaring Water Bay.

Poulgorm Bay and Kilcoe at dawn.

I decided to end my little trip in an old favourite harbour, Ballydehob. Obligatory Kilcoe Castle photos, as I sailed by...