KANTURK

anturk is a market town set astride the Dalua and Allow Rivers Spencer mentions them in his 'Faerie Queene'. Just outside the town is the huge shell of a fortified house, Kanturk Castle or MacDonagh's Court, i.e. MacDonagh MacCarthy, the local Irish chief.

The story is that when the English Privy Council heard of the elaborate structure, they decided 'it was much too large for a subject' and had the work stopped.

MacCarthy, in a rage, scattered the blue glass tiles which were to roof it. So there it stands, almost five centuries later still infinished, but firm.

It is now the property of An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland