THE OLD TOWN OF CARRICALINE LOCATED AT THE ROCK.
The Name of the Old Town
This place was in early times called ‘Beavor’, or ‘Bebhor’, and derived its name from the abrupt rocky cliff on which are the remains of the ancient castle, built by Milo de Cogan in the reign of King John, and for nearly two centuries occupied by the Earls of Desmond, by whom it was forfeited, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The castle, together with the lands of Carrigaline and Balinrea, was then granted by the queen to Anthony St. Leger, who demised them to Stephen Golding, Esq., from whom they were purchased by Sir Richard Boyle, afterwards Earl of Cork, and from him descended to the present proprietor, the Earl of Shannon. In 1568, the Lord-Deputy Sidney, after relieving the Lady St. Leger in Cork, advanced against this fortress, which he took from James Fitzmaurice after an obstinate resistance, and from this time during the entire reign of Elizabeth it had the reputation of being impregnable.
In 1589, Sir Francis Drake, with a squadron of five ships, being chased by a Spanish fleet of superior force, ran into Cork harbour; and sailing up Crosshaven, moored his squadron in a safe basin, sheltered by Corribiny Hill, close under Coolmore. The Spaniards pursued, but, being unacquainted with the harbour, sailed round the shores without discovering the English fleet, and giving up the search, left it here in perfect security. The basin in which Sir Francis lay has since been called Drake's pool.
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
There are three graveyards surrounding St. Mary’s Church. The first and most historic dates back to the time of the castle and contains graves of both creeds. The second graveyard was opened in 1944 and the third extension was opened in the 1970s. Situated in the most historic area of Carrigaline. Dating back to 1824 it was extensively renovated and rededicated last year (2003).
The first graveyard dates back to the time of the castle and so family members kept their burial plots once the church was built regardless of religion. This tradition remained when the second and third phases were introduced with both churches using the sacred ground side by side.
The present Church
of St. Marys
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Carrigaline Castle in ruins (See deCogan section)
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The Move from The Rock
After the fall of Carrigaline Castle the area around the rock lost it’s importance although a vibrant society continued to live in the area, and a church also remained there, the Church of Ireland church built in 1723 replacing an earlier church. The religious wars of the seventeenth century followed by the Cromwellian campaign had it’s toll on all churches.
It is generally accepted that the site of Carrigaline Village was moved up the river in the early/middle seventeenth century and a bridge was built at the highest navigable point where a network of roads opened to the south. The land around Carrigaline was rich, with the subsequent need for industry such as milling , agricultural implement, shopkeepers etc. The houses in the village were constructed mostly south of the river. Another settlement known as the Cross. developed north of the river near the present Catholic church. Roads ran from here to Cork, Ringaskiddy and Ballinassig and a connecting roadway between the two parts of the village. The Milling Industry developed between the two, the old structure at Robert’s still remaining , the old mill stream near Cogan’s still there,and the weir and sleuce gates at Ballea bridge.
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 Constance Westrop Sketching in Carrigaline circa 1890
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This section is under revision during this month. The excerpt from Sean O'Mahony's book 'The History and Folklore of Carrigaline' is not available at present due to copyright restrictions. Please come back next month to check for updated material
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