Built in the late 15th century, Ross Castle is situated on the edge of Lough Leane in the Kerry National Park, not far from the town centre of Killarney. Built by the local ruling clan, the O’Donoghues Mór (Ross), through ownership, it changed hands during the Second Desmond Rebellion of the 1580’s to the MacCarthy Mór. The castle and lands were then leased out to Sir Valentine Browne, who was an ancestor of the Earls of Kenmare. During the Irish Confederate Wars, it was one of the last strongholds to surrender to Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. Holding out, it was only taken when artillery was brought in by boat via the River Laune. MacCarthy had held the castle against 4,000 foot soldiers that marched to Ross with over 200 horses under the command of Edmund Ludlow. Eventually falling to the artillery brought in by boat, there was a prophecy by the Irish that Ross could only be taken by a warship that could swim on the lake. 

Following the wars, the Browne family were able to show that their heir was too young to have taken part in the rebellion and they were able to retain the lands. By about 1688, they had erected a mansion house near the castle, but their allegiance to King James ll of England, meant they were exiled after the Glorious Revolution. The castle then became a military barracks, which remained so until the early 19th century. The Brownes did not return to live at Ross but instead, built Kenmare House near Killarney.

There is a legend that claims the original builder, O’Donoghue, leaped or was sucked out through the window of his grand chamber at the top of the castle and he disappeared into the waters of the lake below, along with his horse, his table and his library. The legend also says that O’Donoghue now lives in a great palace at the bottom of the lake, where he keeps a close eye on everything he sees.

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