Mallow Castle

In the heart of Mallow town a complex of buildings, including the ruins of a castle and fortified house, along with 33 acres of garden and parkland, all form part of Mallow Castle.

The fortified house, Jacobean in style, is a three storey long rectangular building with towers on its corners. The fortified house has two entrances, both of which have decorated door surrounds. The wooden interior floors have long since rotted, but lines of joist sockets remain. The house is well lit by windows, and there are numerous fireplaces and gun loops throughout.

The house was built by Sir Thomas Norreys, Lord President of Munster, in the 16^th century. Norreys is thought to have lived in the castle, originally a Fitzgerald stronghold, while his new fortified house was being built. The fortified house of Norreys is the earliest fortified house in Cork, representing the shift from defence to comfort.

Following Norreys death his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Sir John Jephson, inherited the site where it remained in their family for 400 years. It was attacked during the Irish Confederate Wars and the Williamite War. The Jephsons chose to build a new home on a site closer to the old castle. Subsequently, in 1984, the site was sold to the McGinn’s with Cork County Council now in possession.

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