07 Aug Macroom , County Cork
A bustling market town set in the picturesque Sullane River valley and is a must see on your tours of Ireland. A gateway is all that remains of Macroom Castle , built by the MacCarthys. In 1654 the castle and town were granted by Cromwell to Admiral Penn , father of William Penn who founded Pennsylvania. Just West are the remains of Carrigaphooca Castle. According to tradition the rock on which it stands was haunted by a ‘pooca’ or malicious fairy.