Dunmanway

Dunmanway is a 17th century planned town and the original two triangular squares still survive. Various sources list its meaning when translated from Irish as “the castle of the yellow river,” “the castle on the little plain,” “the fort of the gables (or pinnacles),” and “the fort of the yellow women.” It is best known as the birthplace of Sam Maguire, the man for whom the All Ireland Senior Football trophy is named.

Sam returned to Dunmanway where he died of tuberculosis on February 6th 1927 at the age of 49. He is buried in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland graveyard. A tall and ornate Celtic Cross erected in 1941, marks the spot where he is buried and the inscription reads, “Erected to the memory of Samuel Maguire of Mallabracka who died on Feb 6th 1927 by the people of Dunmanway and his numerous friends throughout Ireland and England in recognition of his love for his country.

Every September in Croke Park, Dublin, the captain of the winning team in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship lifts the Sam Maguire Cup to a huge roar from the crowd. The name of Sam Maguire has, through the Gaelic Games, become synonymous with Irish culture. He saw in the GAA a vehicle by which expression and positive support could be given to the establishment of Ireland as an independent nation with its own cultural identity. The Sam Maguire Cup ensures that the memory of this great man lives on.

Four miles to the north of the town of Dunmanway a great silent valley runs westwards to the Cousane Gap. It is a place of wild beauty, with Nowen Hill rising majestically to the west, the Yew Tree Hill towering to the south and the Shehy Mountains stretching northwards into the distance. Here in the townland of Mallabracka lies the homestead of the Maguire family where Sam Maguire was born and grew up. Just a short distance from his homestead a monument was erected in 1984 to mark the location of his birthplace.

Trotting horses are not new to Ireland; they were introduced to England early in the eleventh century. It can be assumed that they came to Ireland with the Normans. As by the fifteenth century, Irish pacing horses or ‘hobbies’ were famous in England for their speed and success in races. In recent years, registration of trotters and pacers, drivers and jockeys have increased annually.

After three days of racing, the famous old Ballabuidhe Horse Fair is held, and in conjunction with it, a Horse Show. Held on the streets, it is the only one of its kind in the country.

Dunmanway Heritage Centre is located on the Main Street and features presentations on diverse subjects including Sam Maguire, The Great Famine and The Model School. You will also find information on the four castles in the area – the MacCarthy Castles at Dunmanway and Togher as well as the Randal Og Hurley Castle at Ballinacarriga and the Crowley Castle at Ahakeera.

Also available at the centre is research on Archaeology in the locality including a register of headstones in Kilbarry and Fanlobbus graveyards.

The Heritage Centre offers helpful information and assistance to those seeking genealogy information covering the Dunmanway area. The 1901 and 1911 Census records as well as Griffith’s Valuation of 1852 are available as a valuable resource in genealogy research, and the staff at the heritage centre are always helpful in searching church records for the Dunmanway area.

School children are especially welcome to visit the centre to research school projects. The centre is open Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 3pm, Friday 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.

There are several well-designed walks, from easy to hard, both in the town and to the north of Dunmanway. See also the Dunmanway Hill Walking Trails or Dunmanway Town Heritage Walks under the Walking section.

For adrenalin and keep fit junkies there are some of the best and most difficult mountain biking courses in Ireland just outside the town in Clashnacrona. This small compact forest is a must for the mountain bike enthusiast. Head out on the R586 towards Bantry for 2 miles and you will see Dunmanway forest trails are on your right.

Few other towns can boast of having a lake situated only a few hundred metres from the town centre. At the lakeside is a garden and picnic area for public use.

Dunmanway boasts of some of the finest fresh water fishing in Cork. There are many rivers and lakes in the locality, which are perfect for the fishing enthusiast.
Free Lakes:

Dunmanway has a wonderful spacious park, situated on the Bantry Road, which is well maintained and contains a fully equipped playground with Springers, Play Houses, Swings, Furniture, Sculptures, Sand and Water Play Multi-Play Units

The Irish Natural Forestry Foundation (INFF) has established the Manch Project at Manch Estate near Ballineen. The project is designed to demonstrate sustainable establishment and management of broadleaved woodland and involves extending the original semi-native woodland, woodland restoration, field trial plots, riparian trial plots and hedgerow planting and management amongst other features.

The Education Centre runs a series of nature and wildlife courses for both children and adults and regular open days allow the public to explore up to 15 km of woodland paths. Manch lies just north of the main Bandon to Dunmanway road (R586), about 2 miles west of Ballineen and 5 miles east of Dunmanway.