Moynihan: potential is there for Kanturk Castle to become a key tourist attraction
THE potential for Kanturk Castle must be realised so that the structure can become one of the centrepieces of the wider Duhallow region’s tourist offering.
However, before this can be done, the importance of the Castle, a designated national monument, must be placed firmly in the mindset of the community as a place of significant local and national historical and cultural importance.
That’s the view of Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan (FF), who has described the Castle as “one of the great unsung gems of the Duhallow area.”
Built around the turn of the 17th century for MacDonogh MacCarthy, the Lord of Duhallow, as a defence against the English, it was never finished after the Privy Council ordered work to stop. While some historians believe this may have been as a result of the Battle of Kinsale, it is more likely MacDonogh could not raise the funds needed to complete it.
Whatever the reason, it was mortgaged to Sir Philip Percival (circa 1641) who took many of its fixtures to be used in his other properties.
Despite the ravages of time and weather, the structure remained in relatively good condition and in 1900 was donated to the National Trust Committee for Ireland by Lucy, Countess of Egmont, on condition that it be kept in the same unfinished condition it was in when handed over.
Unique in that it was the last castle in Ireland to be owned by the English National Trust, it was formally handed over to An Taisce in 2000, with then-President of Ireland Mary McAleese visiting Kanturk to formally accept the deeds on behalf of the Irish people.
Since then it has been carefully maintained and managed to a high standard by the Office of Public Works (OPW), and it is open to the public.
However, Deputy Moynihan said he felt the castle had yet to fully realise its potential as a major tourist attraction for Duhallow.
“I visit the castle regularly with my children and they love it. However, you could be there for an hour on your own and that is the problem. The question is, how do we develop that potential and create a position where Kanturk Castle is placed firmly in the mindset as a major tourist attraction in Duhallow,” said Deputy Moynihan.
He insisted this would not require vast sums of funding, saying that the people of Kanturk and the surrounding area could play a vital role in making this happen.
“There are no huge financial barriers in place here. But, what is needed is a public awareness campaign ensuring people are aware there is this gem within their midst and to spread that message far and wide,” said Deputy Moynihan.
“One step that could be taken would be its inclusion in a wider north Cork tourism trail. It could also be used as a venue for wedding photographs and various different high-profile events. The potential is there but needs to be teased out in order to highlight the importance of the castle as both a visitor attraction and a place of huge local and national historical importance,” said Deputy Moynihan.
“Certainly, news that the castle is to be linked to the town by a new footpath is a welcome development. But, in my view, this must be just the first in a number of initiatives to raise the profile of the castle and tie it in with all of the other attractions that Kanturk and the wider Duhallow area has to offer,” he added.