The Lake Hotel Killarney

Situated in the grounds of The Lake Hotel, McCarthy Mórs Castle was probably built around 1220. Through the centuries it was recognised as being impregnable because of its location. It also protected a hard fighting, wine-drinking clan. One Donal McCarthy was known as "Dan The Feathers" because of his passion for collecting as trophies the plumed helmets of Queen Elizabeths troops. Women were employed in the castle to make beds and cushions from the collected feathers.

During Cromwells invasion the castle was severely battered and, together with nearby Ross Castle, was the last castle in Ireland to surrender. The Cromwellian Wars, in both Ireland and England, ended at this spot.

McCarthy Mórs Castle, Killarney