Castlemartyr Estate in East County Cork

| Ann Marie Coghlan FCGS

A two hour guided walk of the Estate for #HeritageWeek gave the 800 year history through its buildings and families.

Today the 18th Century Boyle Manor House forms the core of the Hotel

Now a Holiday Complex with international visitors, the estate is open during daylight hours for non residents and there are two restaurants. Afternoon Tea is a speciality here!

The earliest surviving dwelling is the Hiberno Norman Tower House last used by the Fitzgeralds
Much of the medieval castle survives as holiday lets and gardens.

Another surprise for the historian is the landscape laid out by the Salt family under the direction of Capability Brown.

The Serpentine Lake

The family most associated with Castlemartyr are the Boyles who lived here from the mid 17th century to the early 20th century. The researcher is well blessed with a significant holding of their personal and business papers held in the National Archives and National Library. Not forgetting that the “father of the filing system” Richard Boyle was born here!

landedestates.nuigalway.ie/ gives main holdings

Visit or stay Castlemartyrresort.ie