Blackrock Castle

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