29 Dec Monkstown, County Cork
Monkstown is a nice wee village situated in County Cork.
It sits between the villages of Douglas and Ringaskiddy.
It is a hidden gem on any tours of Ireland.
The name is derived from a colony of Benedictine monks.
Monkstown Castle is worth looking at, as it has an interesting history.
It was originally an Elizabethan fortified residence dating from around 1636.
Over the centuries the castle was owed or occupied by Cromwellian soldier Thomas Plunkett, then the Archbishop of Armagh (Michael Boyle) , and then the George Bernard Shaw family.
Monkstown Castle was later used as a club house for Monkstown Golf Club.
During the 1970s the castle was seriously damaged by fire.
However, the castle was renovated.
In 2021 it was for sale for 800,000 Euros.
For golfers there is a fine course at Monkstown and the nearby Fota Island course is very good also.
There is also Monkstown Marina if you are a boat lover.
Contact Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for private, chauffeur driven tours of Ireland.