Castletownroche
Encyclopedia
Castletownroche is a village
on the N72 National secondary road
in County Cork
, Province of Munster
, Ireland
. In ancient times, it was known in Irish as Dún Chruadha, meaning Cruadha's Fort. Castletownroche is located on the River Awbeg
in the Blackwater Valley
about eight miles (13 km) from Mallow
.
In 1999, the annual National Ploughing Championship was held here.
family of Roache
established a fortress here.
They were descendants of Richard FitzGodebert (Richard, son of Godebert) who came with Strongbow
to Ireland
. Their family had a castle
in Pembrokeshire
that was built upon a outcrop
of stone
and they became known as FitzGodebert de la Roch
(FitzGodebert of the Rock). From that, their Hiberno-Norman
descendants were known as "de la Roch" and finally, Roche. It is from this element, and the castle they built here in County Cork, that Castletownroche gets its name.
families that arrived as invaders, the Roaches eventually became loyal to interests different from those of Britain
, allied with the Gael
ic aristocracy
, and came to be regarded as rebels. After centuries of sporadic conflict, the Roaches were routed from their castle. In 1666 Lieutenant Colonel John Widenham, who had lived in County Clare
, got the castle as reward. Castletownroche was renamed Castle Widenham.
In 1666 Lieutenant Colonel John Widenham, who had lived in County Clare, and whose conduct in the defence of Cork had been doubtful to say the least, got the castle as reward. The extraordinary thing is that the patent was dated 1666 after the restoration and was in respect of 'arrears due'. He died in 1679 and the estate passed to his brother Thomas.
Castletownroche was renamed Castle Widenham. The Widenhams rebuilt the castle in its present form, utilising the old keep as a principal part. In time it passed to the Widenham-Creaghs, and then by marriage to H Mitchell Smyth, one of the Smyths of Ballinatray.
The direct line of Widenham’s still live in Éire, with the patriarchs Richard Charles Widenham Smyth and his wife Brigid Sidney Lowry Smyth living in Leap, Co. Cork, about fifty miles from Castletownroche.
as a principal part. In time it passed to the Widenham-Creaghs, and then by marriage to H. Mitchell Smyth, one of the Smyths of Ballinatray
. The Nordstrom family, present owners of what is now called Blackwater Castle and the 50 acres (202,343 m²) estate surrounding it are unrelated to this line. The property has recently been restored to accommodate commercial guests. The owner hopes to make the castle financially self-sustainable so it can be open to the public without need for state funding. Recently the castle has been home to TAPSS, a philosophy and sociology summer-school program, which fulfills the owner's hope of the castle becoming a "think tank" which could be part of a "revolution in reason".
1942, as World War II
was raging on the continent
, a tall, well built man in his early thirties appeared in Castletownroche, gave his name as Oskar Metzke, and said that he was a Czech
who was discharged from the British Army
as being medically unfit. He produced identification, but when searched by the Garda
was found to possess a map with aerial views of the local countryside, a compass
, a combined torch
and fountain pen
and most intriguingly, a Luger pistol.
While the Garda were deciding what to do with him, he was left in the care of the Barrack Orderly. William Mannix, the son of that officer, wrote the following account:
Some days later, the funeral
of Oskar Metzke took place to the old churchyard
of St Mary's, situated on a hill
overlooking the River Awbeg. Many people from the village attended the simple ceremony. Some years later his body was exhumed and subsequently buried in a German cemetery
at Glencree
in County Wicklow
. It has since been confirmed that the Nazis had several secret plans involving Ireland, such as Operation Osprey
. However, the exact identity and motives of the man calling himself Oskar Metzke, and whether he was a simple soldier or an SS
spy
, are likely to remain unknown.
, a 13th century Augustinian monastery
of the prior
s of St. Victor
.
It is situated on the left bank of the River Awbeg, about a half-mile east of Buttevant and southeast of the Ballyhoura Mountains. A Sheela na Gig
once stood next to this holy well
, indicative of its importance as a mystical site for many centuries. The water from this well remains crystal-clear and sweet.
-style garden was laid out in the early twentieth century and incorporates elements of an earlier, 18th century ornamented glen
. Many of the rare rhododendron
s within its extensive woodland gardens were collected on expedition by Frank Kingdon-Ward
. Magnolia
s, hoheria
s and eucryphia
s grow to unusual size on sheltered cliffs overlooking the river. Behind the 18th century house, paths wind past limestone
cliff
s and offer glimpses of the river
, lily pond
s and meadow
below. Riverside walks are bordered by giant foliage plant
s and naturalised day lilyies, astilbe
s and primula
s.
of Castletownroche (Diocese
of Cloyne
) lists the following townland
s:
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
on the N72 National secondary road
National secondary road
A national secondary road is a category of road in Ireland. These roads form an important part of the national route network, but are secondary to the main arterial routes which are classified as national primary roads. National secondary roads are designated with route numbers higher than those...
in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Province of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. In ancient times, it was known in Irish as Dún Chruadha, meaning Cruadha's Fort. Castletownroche is located on the River Awbeg
River Awbeg
Awbeg River is a river in the southern part of Ireland. It is a tributary of the Blackwater River and flows into that larger river at a point in County Cork. Its name comes from the Irish Abha Bheag .-The course:There are two branches of the Awbeg...
in the Blackwater Valley
Munster Blackwater
The Blackwater or Munster Blackwater is a river which flows through counties Kerry, Cork, and Waterford in Ireland. It rises in the Mullaghareirk Mountains in County Kerry and then flows in an easterly direction through County Cork, through Mallow and Fermoy...
about eight miles (13 km) from Mallow
Mallow, County Cork
Mallow is the "Crossroads of Munster" and the administrative capital of north County Cork, in Ireland. The Northern Divisional Offices of Cork County Council are located in the town....
.
In 1999, the annual National Ploughing Championship was held here.
de la Roch
The first historical record about Castletownroche is from the late 13th century when the Anglo-NormanAnglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
family of Roache
Roach (surname)
Roach is an English surname derived from the Old French roche , and may refer to:-Politics and government:*George Roach , Canadian politician*John C. Roach, American jurist on the Kentucky Supreme Court*William N...
established a fortress here.
They were descendants of Richard FitzGodebert (Richard, son of Godebert) who came with Strongbow
Strongbow
The term Strongbow may refer to:*Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, a Norman earl also known by the nickname "Strongbow"*Strongbow Cider*Beleg Cúthalion , a character in JRR Tolkien's Quenta Silmarillion...
to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Their family had a castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
that was built upon a outcrop
Outcrop
An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth. -Features:Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by a mantle of soil and vegetation and cannot be...
of stone
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
and they became known as FitzGodebert de la Roch
Roche
Roche is French for "boulder/rock". The word is several names:-Business & companies:* Hoffmann–La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world....
(FitzGodebert of the Rock). From that, their Hiberno-Norman
Hiberno-Norman
The Hiberno-Normans are those Norman lords who settled in Ireland who admitted little if any real fealty to the Anglo-Norman settlers in England, and who soon began to interact and intermarry with the Gaelic nobility of Ireland. The term embraces both their origins as a distinct community with...
descendants were known as "de la Roch" and finally, Roche. It is from this element, and the castle they built here in County Cork, that Castletownroche gets its name.
Castle Widenham
Like many of the Anglo-NormanAnglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
families that arrived as invaders, the Roaches eventually became loyal to interests different from those of Britain
Britain in the Middle Ages
England in the Middle Ages concerns the history of England during the Medieval period — from the end of Roman rule in Britain through to the Early Modern period...
, allied with the Gael
Gaël
Gaël is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies southwest of Rennes between Saint-Méen-le-Grand and Mauron...
ic aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
, and came to be regarded as rebels. After centuries of sporadic conflict, the Roaches were routed from their castle. In 1666 Lieutenant Colonel John Widenham, who had lived in County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, got the castle as reward. Castletownroche was renamed Castle Widenham.
In 1666 Lieutenant Colonel John Widenham, who had lived in County Clare, and whose conduct in the defence of Cork had been doubtful to say the least, got the castle as reward. The extraordinary thing is that the patent was dated 1666 after the restoration and was in respect of 'arrears due'. He died in 1679 and the estate passed to his brother Thomas.
Castletownroche was renamed Castle Widenham. The Widenhams rebuilt the castle in its present form, utilising the old keep as a principal part. In time it passed to the Widenham-Creaghs, and then by marriage to H Mitchell Smyth, one of the Smyths of Ballinatray.
The direct line of Widenham’s still live in Éire, with the patriarchs Richard Charles Widenham Smyth and his wife Brigid Sidney Lowry Smyth living in Leap, Co. Cork, about fifty miles from Castletownroche.
Blackwater Castle
The Widenhams rebuilt the Roache's medieval castle in its present form, utilizing the old keepKeep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
as a principal part. In time it passed to the Widenham-Creaghs, and then by marriage to H. Mitchell Smyth, one of the Smyths of Ballinatray
Ballinatray
Ballinatray Lower and Ballintray Upper are townlands in Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland. Other townlands in Ireland are called Ballinatray as well.-References:*...
. The Nordstrom family, present owners of what is now called Blackwater Castle and the 50 acres (202,343 m²) estate surrounding it are unrelated to this line. The property has recently been restored to accommodate commercial guests. The owner hopes to make the castle financially self-sustainable so it can be open to the public without need for state funding. Recently the castle has been home to TAPSS, a philosophy and sociology summer-school program, which fulfills the owner's hope of the castle becoming a "think tank" which could be part of a "revolution in reason".
The Nazi spy
Shortly before ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
1942, as World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was raging on the continent
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
, a tall, well built man in his early thirties appeared in Castletownroche, gave his name as Oskar Metzke, and said that he was a Czech
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
who was discharged from the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
as being medically unfit. He produced identification, but when searched by the Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
was found to possess a map with aerial views of the local countryside, a compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, a combined torch
Flashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
and fountain pen
Fountain pen
A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir of water-based liquid ink. The pen draws ink from the reservoir through a feed to the nib and deposits it on paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action...
and most intriguingly, a Luger pistol.
While the Garda were deciding what to do with him, he was left in the care of the Barrack Orderly. William Mannix, the son of that officer, wrote the following account:
I was a very young boy at the time, but the story was often repeated to me by my father. Oskar Metzke was sitting quietly by the fireplaceFireplaceA fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
, when he asked Garda Mannix if he could eat some of his breadBreadBread is a staple food prepared by cooking a dough of flour and water and often additional ingredients. Doughs are usually baked, but in some cuisines breads are steamed , fried , or baked on an unoiled frying pan . It may be leavened or unleavened...
and cheeseCheeseCheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
. On receiving permission, he walked over to the table where it lay. He started to eat his frugal meal, then turned his back on the Garda. Seconds later Oskar Metzke was in convulsionConvulsionA convulsion is a medical condition where body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in an uncontrolled shaking of the body. Because a convulsion is often a symptom of an epileptic seizure, the term convulsion is sometimes used as a synonym for seizure...
s, it was obvious that he had swallowed something lethal and my father, Garda Mannix, did his utmost to retrieve it from his mouth, but already the German was unconscious. Within a matter of minutes Metzke was dead...the subsequent inquest Coroner Nagle of Buttevant revealed that Oskar Metzke had taken a deadly poison, cyanide of potassiumCyanideA cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the cyano group, -C≡N, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN−. Most cyanides are highly toxic....
.
Some days later, the funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
of Oskar Metzke took place to the old churchyard
Churchyard
A churchyard is a patch of land adjoining or surrounding a church which is usually owned by the relevant church or local parish itself. In the Scots language or Northern English language this can also be known as a kirkyard or kirkyaird....
of St Mary's, situated on a hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
overlooking the River Awbeg. Many people from the village attended the simple ceremony. Some years later his body was exhumed and subsequently buried in a German cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
at Glencree
Glencree
Glencree is a valley in the Wicklow Mountains in eastern Ireland. It is the second closest valley in the mountains to Dublin city, the first being Glencullen. The river Dargle flows down the valley, which rises to a height of abut 400 metres...
in County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. It has since been confirmed that the Nazis had several secret plans involving Ireland, such as Operation Osprey
Operation Osprey
Operation Osprey was a plan conceived by the German Foreign Ministry and Abwehr II. mid 1942. The plan was an enlargement of Operation Whale...
. However, the exact identity and motives of the man calling himself Oskar Metzke, and whether he was a simple soldier or an SS
Schutzstaffel
The Schutzstaffel |Sig runes]]) was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Built upon the Nazi ideology, the SS under Heinrich Himmler's command was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity during World War II...
spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
, are likely to remain unknown.
Places of interest
Attractions in Castletownroche include Blackwater Castle, Anne's Grove Gardens, and the ruins of Bridgetown AbbeyBridgetown Abbey
Bridgetown Abbey, was a 13th century Augustinian monastery of the priors of St. Victor. Its ruins may be viewed in Castletownroche, County Cork, Ireland near where the River Awbeg meets the Blackwater.-See also:...
, a 13th century Augustinian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of the prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
s of St. Victor
St. Victor
Saint Victor can refer to several people:* Saint Victor Maurus , martyr* Saint Pope Victor I, martyr* Saint Victorinus of Pettau* Saint Victor of Marseilles* Saint Victor of Turin...
.
Knockanare Well
Knockanare WellKnockanare Well
Knockanare Well is a holy well in County Cork, Ireland.It is situated on the left bank of the River Awbeg, about a half-mile east of Buttevant and southeast of the Ballyhoura Mountains. A Sheela na Gig once stood next to the well, indicative of its importance as a mystical site for many centuries...
It is situated on the left bank of the River Awbeg, about a half-mile east of Buttevant and southeast of the Ballyhoura Mountains. A Sheela na Gig
Sheela Na Gig
Sheela na gigs are figurative carvings of naked women displaying an exaggerated vulva. They are found on churches, castles and other buildings, particularly in Ireland and Britain, sometimes together with male figures. One of the best examples may be found in the Round Tower at Rattoo, in County...
once stood next to this holy well
Holy well
A holy well, or sacred spring, is a small body of water emerging from underground and revered either in a Pagan or Christian context, often both. Holy wells were frequently pagan sacred sites that later became Christianized. The term 'holy well' is commonly employed to refer to any water source of...
, indicative of its importance as a mystical site for many centuries. The water from this well remains crystal-clear and sweet.
Annes Grove Gardens
Now open to the public, this romantic, RobinsonianWilliam Robinson (gardener)
William Robinson was an Irish practical gardener and journalist whose ideas about wild gardening spurred the movement that evolved into the English cottage garden, a parallel to the search for honest simplicity and vernacular style of the British Arts and Crafts movement...
-style garden was laid out in the early twentieth century and incorporates elements of an earlier, 18th century ornamented glen
Glen
A glen is a valley, typically one that is long, deep, and often glacially U-shaped; or one with a watercourse running through such a valley. Whittow defines it as a "Scottish term for a deep valley in the Highlands" that is "narrower than a strath."...
. Many of the rare rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
s within its extensive woodland gardens were collected on expedition by Frank Kingdon-Ward
Frank Kingdon-Ward
Francis Kingdon-Ward, born Francis Kingdon Ward was an English botanist, explorer, plant collector and author. He published most of his books as Frank Kingdon-Ward and this hyphenated form of his name stuck, becoming the surname of his wives and two daughters...
. Magnolia
Magnolia
Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol....
s, hoheria
Hoheria
Hoheria is a genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae. All are endemic to New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands. The genus name is a Latinization of the Māori language name, Houhere...
s and eucryphia
Eucryphia
Eucryphia is a small genus of trees or large shrubs of the Antarctic flora, native to the south temperate regions of South America and coastal eastern Australia. Traditionally placed in a family of their own, the Eucryphiaceae, more recent classifications place them in the Cunoniaceae. There are...
s grow to unusual size on sheltered cliffs overlooking the river. Behind the 18th century house, paths wind past limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
cliff
Cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
s and offer glimpses of the river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
, lily pond
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaeaceae is a family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called water lilies and live in freshwater areas in temperate and tropical climates around the world. The family contains eight genera. There are about 70 species of water lilies around the world. The genus...
s and meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
below. Riverside walks are bordered by giant foliage plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
s and naturalised day lilyies, astilbe
Astilbe
Astilbe is a genus of 18 species of perennial, herbaceous flowering plants, within the family Saxifragaceae. Some species are commonly known as False Goat's Beard, and False Spirea...
s and primula
Primula
Primula is a genus of 400–500 species of low-growing herbs in the family Primulaceae. They include primrose, auricula, cowslip and oxlip. Many species are grown for their ornamental flowers...
s.
Transport
Castletownroche railway station opened on 1 May 1861, but finally closed on 27 March 1967.Townlands
The 1826 Tithe Applotment for the Civil ParishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Castletownroche (Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Cloyne
Cloyne
Cloyne is a small town to the south-east of the town of Midleton in eastern County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. It is also a see city of the Anglican Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, while also giving its name to a Roman Catholic diocese...
) lists the following townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
s:
|
Loughrowane -References:*... Parkacunna -References:*... Rathacarthen -References:*... Skenakilly -References:*... Scrarour -References:*... |
People of interest
- Jonjo O'NeillJonjo O'NeillJonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...
(former race horse jockey, turned horse trainer) is a native of Castletownroache where his family ran a small grocery store.
- Richard John UniackeRichard John UniackeRichard John Uniacke was a lawyer, politician, member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly and Attorney General of Nova Scotia....
was born in Castletownroche.
- Thomas P. KeenanThomas P. KeenanThomas Peter Keenan , from Castletownroche, County Cork, Ireland, is the composer of such songs as "The Boys From The County Armagh", "A Mother's Love's A Blessing" and "The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill." His songs have been widely recorded, most recently by Louise Morrisey, Foster and Allen and...
, composer of such songs as "The Boys From The County Armagh", is buried in this village. According to Fáilte IrelandFáilte IrelandFáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority of the Republic of Ireland. This authority was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act of 2003 and replaces and builds upon the functions of Bord Fáilte, its predecessor organization...
, his song "The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill" takes its name from a structure in Castletownroche near a millWatermillA watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
currently under reconstruction.
- The first wife of Seán Mac StíofáinSeán Mac StíofáinSeán Mac Stíofáin was an Irish republican paramilitary activist born in London, who became associated with the republican movement in Ireland after serving in the Royal Air Force...
was from Castletownroche.
- Thomas HunterThomas Hunter (Irish politician)Thomas Hunter an Irish republican and politician. He was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood , Sinn Féin, the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Army ....
, an MP of the First and Second Dails, was born in Castletownroche.
- John Looney, Master Carpenter who built the main staircase in the 1st Class section of the Titanic lived In Castletownroche from about 1910 to 1951
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland