Kanturk Castle

To the south of Kanturk sits Kanturk castle, known as ‘The Old Court’. The exact date of construction is up for debate but experts agree it was built within the 17^th century. The Old Court was an unfinished fortified manor and, up to 2000, was the only property held by the National Trust outside of the UK.

The Old Court was built by the MacDonagh MacCarthys, Lords of Duhallow. Tradition asserts that when the Privy Council heard of its fine construction and its purpose – defence against the English -  orders were issued to cease construction, with the MacDonagh MacCarthys no longer able to raise the capital from English sources. As a result the castle was incomplete, and never roofed. It was later mortgaged to Sir Philp Percival, and by 1667 passed to his grandson and remained in the possession of the Percivals, the Earls of Egmont, until 1900. Lucy, Countess of Egmont, donated the castle to the National Trust on May 8^th 1900 on the proviso that the castle be kept in the same condition as it was when handed over, a ruin.

The Old Court is a four storey rectangular block with a five storey flanking block on each corner. Some of the architectural features include a limestone door surround with a round arch with a pilaster on either side supporting a frieze and cornice, Renaissance styled; symmetrically arranged mullioned windows; pointed arches, typical of Irish tower houses, and numerous fireplaces, with the third storey fireplace having a carved mantel with bold frieze and cornice.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014