Historical Outing to Dunboy - Gerdie Harrington - Southern Star 15/9/2001

O'Sullivan Bere Castle Ruins at Dunboy

Beara Historical Society enjoyed another sunny day for their outing on Sunday, August 26.  The outing was to nearby Dunboy and was conducted by Connie Murphy, M, well known historian and archaelogist who has a great knowledge of Dunboy and its History.  This outing which attracted thirty five people, was the largest this season and as well as members of the Society, included a number of visitors for the US, England, Germany and Holland.

 The group started at the ruin of the O'Sullivan Bere fort and several of the group were surprised to hear that there was a fort here long before the O'Sullivan's arrived in Beara in the 1200's or maybe in the 1100's.  What was there was a Promontory fort in the area, then known a Dunbuidhe and when the O'Sullivan's arrived from Knockgrion, Tipperary, they built their castle within the old Dunbuidhe and knocked down most of it in doing so.  The castle got its name from the old fort and was later known by the English as Dunboy.  The O'Sullivan's found an excellent harbour in front of the and they soon controlled the sea.  Any vessel entering the harbour had to pay dues to the O'Sullivans. If dues, which could be fish, salt or wines and brandy, weren't paid, their vessels were boarded and the dues collected.  O'Sullivan was getting over £500 fro the sea and only £50 from the land, which he gave to his wife.  The group heard of the four O'Sullivan's who had arrived from Tipperary and settling in Ardea on the Kerry side, Kealkil, Dursey and Dunboy.  The Dunboy Clan overlorded the southern side of the Beara Peninsula as far as Bantry.  They heard how Donal Cam at Dunboy and his uncle Owen of Carraignass Castle, near Bantry, disputed the Dunboy Chirftaincy in the English Courts following whih Donal Cam got Dunboy and Owen Carraiganass.  Connie told in great detail, the siege of Dunboy when it was attacked by Carew's army in 1602 following the fall of Kinsale.  As the group explored the ruin, the gun sites were pointed out and where the tower which was the first target of the English, stood and Connie gave a blow to blow account of the battle in which all 143 defenders perished.  Carew lost over 500 of his force in the battle.  Before the Battle for Dunboy started, Carew sent a contingent of his troops to Dursey Island to capture the O'Sullivan Castle there.  Again, all there were killed. 

The groups final stop was a bit higher on the estate of Dunboy, Puxley's Mansion.  It is in command of a great view southwards.  They learned that the burned out Mansion of the Puxley family was built in three different stages with the oldest part being the Tower House at the western end.  John Puxley and his brother Henry came from Galway and settled in Dunboy about 1730.  The Mansion was burned by the IRA in 1921 during the Anglo-Irish War.  The newest part of the Mansion was commenced in 1866.  The stone used was from Co. Wicklow and in 1867, the new building was roofed.  Then it was agreed that the old building should be remodeled to fit in with the new. 

A most enjoyable day was had by all and the Chairman thanked all present and especially Connie Murphy for again tracing for us our ancient heritage.  It is hoped to arrange another outing before the end of September, before they resume their indoor lectures for the winter.  During the day, there were many enquiries about what was happening next year 2002, which will be the four hundred anniversary of the sieve of Dunboy.  We presume that the O'Sullivan Clan will be organising some events during that period.

View of Puxley's Mansion from the Harbour