Castletownshend (Irish: Baile an Chaisleáin) on Ireland's southwest coast, is a village about eight km from Skibbereen, in County Cork, Province of Munster, Republic of Ireland. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Skibbereen ( Irish: An Sciobairín) is a town in Ireland. The name "Skibbereen" (often shortened to "Skibb" means "little boat County Cork (Contae Chorcaí is the most southerly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The village developed around a small 17th century castle built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there. A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. Richard Townesend (as he spelled his name was a soldier and politician in England. As of 2007, the castle is open to the public as a bed and breakfast. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Bed and breakfast, also known as B&B, is a term originating in the United Kingdom, but now also used all over the world for an establishment that offers accommodation
The main street of the town, lined with large homes from the 18th century, runs down a sharply sloped hill leading to Castlehaven Harbor and the castle. St. Barrahane's Church overlooks the town. It is noted for its stained glass windows, and for the classical music festival it has sponsored every year since 1980. For the Blackford Oakes novel see Stained Glass (novel The term stained glass refers either to the material of coloured Glass or to the art
Castletownshend was the home of Edith Anna Somerville the co-author of the Irish RM series of humerious novels on Irish Life in the early 1900's Her home Drishane house, is open for public visits and hosts an exhibition of items related to her life and works. Edith Anna Œnone Somerville ( May 2, 1858 – October 8, 1949) was an Irish Novelist who habitually signed herself
Sailing & Fishing
The sea inlet provides a sheltered harbour for inshore fishing boats and yachts. It is a popular port of call for cruising yachts in the Summer months