Belvelly Castle (vertical panorama)

Belvelly Castle is a typical medieval square tower near Cobh in County Cork and is situated next to the small village of Belvelly, next to the only bridge connecting Great Island (on which the town of Cobh is situated) to the mainland. The dates given for its construction range from the 13th to the 15th centuries. Belvelly Castle is located in magnificent natural scenery, opposite Fota Island, at the entrance of Cork Harbour. It stands on a very narrow piece of land, bounded by Belvelly bridge road on one side and the shore on the other. It has many notable family connections, the most notable being Raleigh, having been owned by Sir Walter Raleigh at one stage. Another notable family connection would be my in-laws the Cotters. A William Cottyr married the daughter of the owner, Thomas Hodnett.
The Hodnetts built Belvelly Castle on the opposite side of the narrow channel separating the Great Island from the mainland. They became so powerful that he brought on the jealousy of De Barry who gathered together his friends both Irish and English and joined by their neighbours Roches of Fermoy in a severe battle in 1329 took Belvelly Castle and gave the name of Barrymore to the Great Island which is still retained. The Hodnetts were then obliged to take a lease of the lands where formerly they were lords of the soil.