Blackrock Castle (formerly Mahon Castle) is located in Cork,
Ireland. The citizens of Cork appealed
to Queen Elizabeth I to construct a fort at Blackrock. The round tower structure was built around
the 1600’s as a stronghold against pirates and invaders. The castle was under the ownership of the
City of Cork beginning in 1608. In 1722
and 1827, the castle was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by the citizens of
Cork. When the castle was restored, the architects
added three additional story’s to the original tower and rebuilt some of the outbuildings. The Cork Corporation purchased the castle in
2001. In 2007, in collaboration between
the Cork Institute of Technology, Cork City Council, and a private benefactor,
Blackrock Castle was reopened and converted into a science observatory
center. People can send messages from
the center to the Pan Galactic Space Station.
The castle is open in July and August for touring.
Picture by John Galvin
