Castletownshend
Encyclopedia
Castletownshend on 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...

's southwest coast, is a village about eight km from Skibbereen
Skibbereen
Skibbereen , is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is the most southerly town in Ireland. It is located on the N71 national secondary road.The name "Skibbereen" means "little boat harbour." The River Ilen which runs through the town reaches the sea at Baltimore.-History:Prior to 1600 most of the...

, 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,...

. The village developed around a small 17th century 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...

 built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there. , the castle is open to the public as a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...

.

The main street of the town, lined with large homes from the 18th century, runs down a sharply sloped hill leading to Castlehaven
Castlehaven
Castlehaven is a civil parish in County Cork, Ireland. It is located some 75 km south west of Cork City on the coast and is made up of two key towns: Union Hall and Castletownshend....

 Harbour and the castle. St. Barrahane's Church overlooks the town. It is noted for its stained glass windows, some by Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke was an Irish stained glass artist and book illustrator. Born in Dublin, he was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement.- History :...

, and for the classical music festival it has sponsored every year since 1980.

Notable People

Castletownsend was the home of Edith Anna Somerville
Edith Anna Somerville
Edith Anna Œnone Somerville was an Irish novelist who habitually signed herself as "E. Œ. Somerville". She wrote in collaboration with her cousin "Martin Ross" under the pseudonym "Somerville and Ross"...

 the co-author of the Irish RM series of humorous novels on Irish Life in the early 1900s.
Her home Drishane house, is open for public visits and hosts an exhibition of items related to her life and works.

The uncle of Edith Anna Somerville
Edith Anna Somerville
Edith Anna Œnone Somerville was an Irish novelist who habitually signed herself as "E. Œ. Somerville". She wrote in collaboration with her cousin "Martin Ross" under the pseudonym "Somerville and Ross"...

, Sir Joscelyn Coghill (1826–1905) was a well known patron of early photography, being one of the founders of the Royal Hibernian Photographic Society of Ireland (1854). He photographed much of the estate of Drishane throughout his life.

Sailing & Fishing

The sea inlet provides a sheltered harbour for inshore fishing boats and yachts. It is a popular port of call for cruising yachts in the Summer months

External links


See also

  • List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland
  • Southwest Ireland
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