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This castle, now in total ruins, stands on a cliff face overlooking Kenmare Bay at the mouth of the Clonee River. It was an impressive structure with six foot thick walls and was built by and named after Aodh Beanan, the ancestor of the O'Moriarty clan and the father of Mor Mumhan, maternal ancestor of the O'Sullivan clan. Aodh had 12 sons and died in 621 A.D. The castle was often referred to as the mansion house of the Moriartys, who were the original owners. It remained in O'Moriarty possession until the early part of the 13th century when they peacefully gave up Ardea Castle and Castle Drummond in the parish of Kilgarrylander, to the O'Sullivans and became their tenants. The O'Sullivans were tenants under MacCarthy Mór. In 1603 the castle was surrendered intact to the English but was later re-granted to the O’Sullivan family. During the Cromwellian wars the castle was slighted and several walls fell into the sea. Phi lip O'Sullivan of Ardea Castle followed James II to France after 1690. The castle was occupied by the Coote family from c. 1738 to 1756. Some sources say it was a castle of twin towers plus a banqueting hall. Now very little left of the castle and the site is very hazardous.
There are 32 castles or manors known to be associated with the O'Sullivan clan. 4 are still extant.
• Ardea Castle, Co. Kerry
• Carriganass Castle, Co. Cork
• Dunkerron Castle, Co. Kerry
• Reenadisert Castle / Court, Co. Cork
More about Irish Castles you will find HERE.
Useful links
Attractions nearby
Ardgroom Stone Circle within 10.2 km
Ardnakinna Lighthouse, Bere Island within 22.9 km
Bantry House and Gardens within 25.5 km
Dunbeacon Castle Ruins within 27 km
Dunboy Castle Ruins / Puxley Manor, Castletownberehaven within 21.8 km
Dunkerron Castle Ruins within 13.1 km
Dunloe Ogham Stones within 29.2 km
Eightercua Stone Row, Iveragh Peninsula within 26.5 km
Holy Cross Church, Roman Catholic, Kenmare within 15.3 km
Hungry Hill, Beara Peninsula within 11.8 km
Kenmare Stone Circle within 15.2 km
Loher Stone Fort, Iveragh Peninsula within 27.1 km
Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm within 14.4 km
Roancarrig Lighthouse within 16.9 km
Rossmore Castle Ruins within 26.2 km
Sheeps Head Lighthouse within 29.5 km
Staigue Stone Fort, Iveragh Peninsula within 16.7 km
Torc Waterfall within 28 km
Uragh Stone Circle within 5.4 km
Hostels
Allihies Village Hostel within 26 km
Beara Peacock Camping, Caravan, Hostel / Mobile Homes within 3.8 km
Black Valley Hostel within 21.9 km
Bru Na Dromoda / Dromid Hostel, Iveragh Peninsula within 22.8 km
Carbery View Hostel and Camping within 25.5 km
Garranes Hostel and Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre within 25.3 km
Glanmore Lake Hostel within 8.3 km
Greenwood Hostel within 7.9 km
Hungry Hill Lodge Hostel and Camping within 12.7 km
Kenmare Failte Hostel within 15.4 km
Kenmare Lodge Hostel within 15.6 km
Murphy's Village Hostel, Glengariff within 16.5 km
Traveller's Rest Hostel, Caherdaniel, Iveragh Peninsula within 22.7 km
C and C Parks
Berehaven Camper, Amenity Park and Golf Club within 17.7 km
Creveen Lodge Caravan and Camping Park within 5.5 km
Dowling's Caravan and Camping Park within 16.5 km
Dunbeacon Camping Site within 27.1 km
Eagle Point Camping and Caravan within 24.2 km
Wave Crest Caravan Park, Caherdaniel, Iveragh Peninsula within 22.5 km
