Blackrock Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackrock Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Caisleán na Carraige Duibhe | |
| Cork, Ireland | |
.jpg) |
|
| Coordinates | 51°54′00″N 8°24′09″W / 51.9°N 8.4025°W |
| Type | Castellated fortification |
| Height | 5 stories, >100 feet (30 m) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Cork City Council |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built |
|
| In use | As visitor centre and observatory |
| Materials | Limestone, ashlar masonry |
Blackrock Castle is a cool castle located in Blackrock, Ireland. It's about 2 kilometers from Cork city centre. The castle sits right on the banks of the River Lee.
This castle was first built in the 1500s. Its main job was to protect Cork Harbour and the port from invaders. Today, Blackrock Castle is a fun place to visit. It has an observatory, a visitor center, and even a restaurant.
Contents
History of Blackrock Castle
.jpg)
Long ago, in the late 1500s, the people of Cork had a problem. They asked Queen Elizabeth I for help. They wanted a fort built at Blackrock to stop pirates and other attackers.
Building the First Fort
In 1582, a fort was built on this spot. Later, around 1600, a round tower was added. This tower helped keep ships safe from pirates. These pirates would sometimes try to steal vessels entering the harbor.
Today, you can still see parts of the original building. There's a circular tower right by the water. It's about 10.5 meters wide, and its walls are 2.2 meters thick.
Ownership and Changes
Blackrock Castle became the property of the City of Cork in 1608. This happened because of a special document from King James I. The castle is mentioned in Cork's city records from 1613 and 1614.
In 1722, a fire destroyed the old four-story tower. The citizens of Cork then built a new one. This new tower cost them £296.
Banquets and Traditions
For many years, the castle was used by the Cork Corporation. They held banquets and fun gatherings there. One special tradition was called "throwing the dart."
This custom started at least in the 1700s. It happened every three years in August. The Mayor would throw a long arrow, about four feet long, from a boat. This showed that the Corporation had control over the harbor.
Rebuilding After Fires
After another banquet, the castle was badly damaged by fire in 1827. Rebuilding started in 1828. Mayor Thomas Dunscombe led this effort. The work was finished in March 1829.
The architects, George Richard Pain and James Pain, added three more stories to the tower. They also rebuilt the other buildings around it. This new castle cost the City of Cork £1,000. The Pain brothers also designed other public buildings in Cork. The castle you see today, with its cool neo-gothic style, is mostly what they built.
Modern Use
Later, the castle was owned by private people. In the 1900s, it was used for different things. It was a private home, offices, a rowing club, and a restaurant.
In 2001, Cork Corporation bought the building back. They started to fix it up and give it a new purpose. They decided to turn it into an observatory and a museum.
Blackrock Castle Observatory
In the early 2000s, Blackrock Castle got a big makeover. This project was a team effort. Cork City Council, Cork Institute of Technology, and a private supporter worked together.
Cosmos at the Castle
The "Cosmos at the Castle" project opened in 2007. The goal was to create a place for science. It would be used for research, learning, and sharing information about space.
The castle's observatory now has an interactive astronomy center. It's open to everyone. You can explore exhibits like a "tour of the universe." There's even a radio telescope. This telescope can send messages, created by school groups, towards distant stars!
The castle also has labs where astronomers from Cork Institute of Technology work on their research.
See also
- List of astronomical observatories
