Castlemagner

The ruined remains of Castle Magner's stair turret

The area takes its name from the eponymous Castle Magner, a Norman-era tower house which is located approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) east of the village itself on the eastern boundary of Castlemagner townland. Owned by a Richard Magner during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the tower house was largely destroyed in the late 16th century.[3][4] The lands surrounding Castle Magner were confiscated during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.[5] The castle is largely in ruin, though the stair turret and parts of the surrounding bawn wall remain.[3]

Close to the castle is Saint Bridget's Church, a disused but largely extant Church of Ireland church.[6] While the church itself was built in the early 19th century, the surrounding cemetery contains gravestones which are dated from the 18th century and earlier.[7]

Holy well entrance, with 1789 inscription and carved figures

A nearby holy well, also dedicated to Saint Bridget, is covered by a carved stone surround including an 18th-century inscription and a carving, sometimes claimed to be a Sheela na gig.[8][9][10]

Castlemagner's Roman Catholic church, which is dedicated to Saint Mary and was built c.1880, is located within the village itself.[11] There is a shrine to Edel Quinn, a local lay missionary, within the church grounds.[12]

Castlemagner has a community centre building,[13] a pub (the Castle Bar, known locally as Geoff's).[14] The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Castlemagner GAA, fields Gaelic football and hurling teams in the Duhallow division.[15] The club won the Cork Junior B Hurling Championship in 2012.[16]