Above Image: The interior showing North-East gable.
The dramatic ruin of Mallow Castle stands in the grounds of the current 19th century mansion on the South-East end of the town.
A former castle was built here by Bad King John in 1185AD and became a possession of the Earls of Desmond in 1282. It remained so for several centuries. Between 1569 and 1583 the castle became involved in the Geraldine wars and in the end was lost by the Desmonds as a result of the scorched earth policy of the English. Elizabeth I granted the castle to Sir Thomas Norreys along with all its land. The castle was in such a bad state that it was replaced by a new fortified mansion built by Norreys in 1585 in which he resided until his demise in 1599. It then passed to his daughter and her husband John Jephson.
The castle's fate became more turbulent when in 1642 it was laid siege to during the Confederate wars but it managed to survive the conflict.
Then in 1691 more trouble was laid at its door and it was badly burnt by fire during the Williamite war. As a result it was abandoned by the Jephsons and it subsequently fell into ruin. In 1928 it was given the status of a National Monument.
The ruins today are still quite extant. The house itself stands four storeys high with four towers standing another level higher still. The most complete is the North standing hexagonal tower. When we visited we only had partial access and at the moment it is being renovated and so only exterior views can be made until this work is completed. Nonetheless this is a very striking structure and well worth a visit.
Access is very easy through the main gate on Bridge Street. There is a small car park adjacent to the castle estate and a much larger one nearby on Park Road.
To find the ruin take the N20 roundabout exit for the N72 East towards Mallow Town Centre. Approx. 250m along this road turn right again following the N72. Drive till you reach a set of traffic lights and take the left turn onto Bridge Street. There is a car park around 30m along on your right. The castle entrance is another 30m along by foot.
Co-ordinates 52.133951, -8.639380
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