Editing Macroom

{{short description |Town in County Cork, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Macroom
|native_name            = {{native name|ga|Maigh Chromtha}}
|native_name_lang       = ga
|settlement_type        = Town
|image_skyline          = Macroom Castle.jpg
|image_caption          = Macroom Castle entrance and [[cannon]]s
|mapsize                = 230px
|map_caption            = Location of Macroom in Ireland
|pushpin_map            = Ireland#Europe
|pushpin_relief         = 1
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Munster]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[County Cork]]
|unit_pref              = Metric
|area_footnotes         = 
|area_total_km2         = 
|population_as_of       = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
|population_footnotes   = <ref>{{cite web | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=1e3c669a-081e-471d-ae3f-fca17dc048e6 | publisher = Central Statistics Office | title = Census Mapping - Towns: Macroom - Population Snapshot | work = visual.cso.ie | access-date = 15 June 2024 }}</ref>
|population             = 4,096
|population_density_km2 = auto
|coordinates            = {{coord|51.9047|-8.9597|dim:100000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    = 
|elevation_m            = 
|blank_name             = [[Irish grid reference system|Irish Grid Reference]]
|blank_info             = {{iem4ibx|W337729}}
|footnotes              = 
|area_code_type         = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]
|area_code              = +353(0)26
|postal_code_type       = [[Eircode]] routing key
|postal_code            = P12
|timezone               = [[Western European Time|WET]]
|utc_offset             = ±0
|timezone_DST           = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
|utc_offset_DST         = +1
|website                = {{URL|macroom.ie}}
}}
[[File:Map of Macroom.png|thumb|Map of the town]]
'''Macroom''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|k|r|uː|m}}; {{langx|ga|Maigh Chromtha}}) is a [[market town]] in [[County Cork]], Ireland, located in the valley of the [[River Sullane]], halfway between [[Cork (city)|Cork city]] and [[Killarney]]. Its population has grown and receded over the centuries as it went through periods of war, famine and [[workhouse]]s, forced emigration and intermittent prosperity. The [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]] gave an urban population of 3,879 people,<ref>"[http://census.cso.ie/areaprofiles/PDF/ST/macroomlegaltownanditsenvirons.pdf Area Profile For Town Macroom Legal Town And Its Environs Co. Cork] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424155327/http://census.cso.ie/areaprofiles/PDF/ST/macroomlegaltownanditsenvirons.pdf |date=24 April 2021 }}". [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]]. Retrieved 24 April 2021</ref> while the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] recorded 3,765 people. The town is in a [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of the same name.<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/745 | title = Maigh Chromtha/Macroom | work = [[Placenames Database of Ireland]] | access-date = 9 November 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Bridge over the Sullane, Macroom - geograph.org.uk - 654790.jpg|thumb|Bridge over the [[river Sullane]], viewed from Masseytown]]
Macroom began as a meeting place for the [[druid]]s of [[Munster]]. It is first mentioned is in 6th-century records, and the immediate area hosted a major battle {{circa|987}} involving the Irish king [[Brian Boru]]. During the [[Middle Ages]], the town was invaded by a succession of warring clans, including the Murcheatach Uí Briain and Richard de Cogan families. In the [[early modern period]] the MacCarthys took control and later the area found prosperity via milling. The MacCarthys built a series of [[tower house]]s, [[Carrigaphooca Castle|some of which]] survive.{{sfn|Keohane|2020|p=490}} The family lost influence during the [[Williamite War in Ireland|Williamite wars]] of the 1690s, after which authority over the town castle waxed and waned between the MacCarthys and a number of [[Anglo-Irish people|Anglo-Irish]] families.

The population fell in the 1840s during the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]]. Evidence can be found in the former [[workhouse]], now the district hospital at the north side of New Street, and the mass graveyard to the west, near [[Clondrohid]]. During the late 18th and early 19th century, a number of Anglo-Irish families, and a branch of the [[Massey family]], settled in the area. Many of their [[Destruction of Irish country houses (1919–1923)|estate houses were burned]] in the period around the [[Irish War of Independence]] as the town was caught up in the turmoil of [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|IRA]] activity.

Today the town is an economic hub for the mid-Cork region, and the location of a [[Danone]] milk processing factory, which dries and cans [[infant formula]] from milk supplied by local dairy farmers. Until the 1950s, New Street was the town's economic hub, and contained many small retail outlets.

==Name==
Macroom's [[Irish language]] name, {{lang|ga|Maigh Chromtha}}, likely translates as 'crooked plain' in reference to the bend in the River Sullane on which its historic core is situated. It has also been suggested that it may translate as "meeting place of followers of the god [[Crom Cruach|Crom]]" or "crooked oak",<ref>It is one of many Irish place names derived from the name of the God Crom. (Hall and Hall, How & Parsons pub, p.393)</ref> the latter a reference to a large oak tree that apparently grew in the town-square during the reign of [[John, King of England|King John]].<ref name="SW">Lewis, Samuel. "[http://www.failteromhat.com/lewis/macroom.htm Macroom, County Cork in Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710221032/http://www.failteromhat.com/lewis/macroom.htm |date=10 July 2011 }}". Retrieved 2 January 2011. [https://books.google.com/books?id=dDQE_stxs-AC&q=macroom&pg=PA15 Google Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002650/https://books.google.com/books?id=dDQE_stxs-AC&pg=PA15&dq=irish+place+names+macroom&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1yetUo3rJtWysQSk2YDgAg&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBA#v=snippet&q=macroom&f=false |date=25 September 2021 }}</ref>

==History==

===Neolithic===
[[File:Knocknakilla4.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|left|The area around Macroom contains a number of Stone Age [[megalith]]s. This standing stone is part of a 3500-year-old complex in [[Knocknakilla]] between Macroom and [[Millstreet]]]]

Evidence of pre-history human activity in the Macroom area survives in the many [[Iron Age]] burial monuments; the area is unusually rich with [[Glantane East|standing stones]], [[Knocknakilla megalithic complex|dolmen]]s and [[Carrigagulla|stone circle]]s.<ref name="gov">"[http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/decentralisation/Macroom.pdf Macroom: Town Profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513053845/http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/decentralisation/Macroom.pdf |date=2006-05-13 }}". agriculture.gov.ie. Retrieved on 19 March 2007.</ref> Later, in the early [[Irish Dark Age|Dark Ages]], Macroom seems to have been a centre for [[Bardic]] conventions and a base for the [[Druid]]s of Munster.<ref>"[http://www.apieceofireland.com/ History of Macroom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214040005/http://www.apieceofireland.com/ |date=14 February 2007 }}". ''apieceofireland.com''. Retrieved on 19 March 2007.</ref> The first historical reference to Macroom dates from the 6th century, when the townland was known as Achad Dorbchon and held within the kingdom of Muscraighe Mitine.<ref>Ring, 31</ref>

The [[Eóganachta]] were then the dominant clan of [[Munster]] and held kingdoms from Muscraighe Mitine to the midlands town of [[Birr, County Offaly|Birr]]. At some point, they were replaced by the Uí Floinn, who commissioned a castle in Macroom so as to establish [[Eóganacht Raithlind|Raithleann]] as capital of [[Muskerry]].

===Middle Ages===
Muscraighe Mitine underwent three invasions during the 13th century. The Murcheatach Uí Briain and Richard de Cogan arrived in 1201 and 1207 respectively; the MacCarthys became the dominant and most powerful family and held [[Macroom Castle]] until the mid-17th century.<ref>Ring, 80</ref> 
From the 14th century, Macroom became the capital of the Barony of Muskerry and the centre for trade, burial and religious worship. It was one of the earliest Irish milling centres, and from the end of the 16th century the town grew from a village to a functionally diverse urban centre. The locality grew outwards from the castle. The MacCarthys established the town as a centre for markets and fairs, and in 1620 a market house was built to the east of and facing the castle. The family introduced a [[Plantation (settlement or colony)|plantation]] scheme which aimed to attract new agriculture and industrial techniques and methods to the area.

===Modern period===
By the mid-17th century, [[Anglo-Irish people|Anglo-Irish]] families owned approximately one-third of the town in value terms.<ref>Ring, 105</ref> The Protestant families introduced butter making, a labour-intensive industry. A 1750 [[tenement]] list details 134 buildings and 300 families, with a population ratio of 6 to 1 between Catholic and Protestants. The town had developed from a locality of mud cabins in the early 1660s to a linear shaped urban settlement of mainly [[thatch]]ed cabins, which were later replaced by solid cottages following a campaign by the [[Irish Land and Labour Association]] (ILLA). Macroom Castle was for a period owned by Admiral [[William Penn (Royal Navy officer)|Sir William Penn]], a [[Royal Navy]] officer and father of [[William Penn]], after whom the U.S. state of [[Pennsylvania]] is named.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishamerica.com/2023/03/in-the-footsteps-of-william-penn/|title=In the Footsteps of William Penn|newspaper=Irish America|date=1 February 1989|access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref>

====Battle of Macroom====
{{main|Battle of Macroom}}

The 1650 [[Battle of Macroom]] was waged as part of the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]], when [[Roundhead|English Parliamentarian]] forces led by [[Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery|Roger Boyle]] defeated an [[Confederate Ireland|Irish Confederate]] force under David Roche. Bishop [[Boetius MacEgan]], acting on behalf of the MacCarthys, failed to hold the castle. He was taken prisoner by Parliamentarian forces and executed by hanging at [[Carrigadrohid]].<ref>''[http://www.kilbrin.net/KilbrinHistorySub9.html Boetius MacEgan, Bishop of Ross] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105123710/http://www.kilbrin.net/KilbrinHistorySub9.html |date=5 November 2013 }}'' Biography</ref>

====Irish War of Independence====
[[File:Macroom Protest Meeting 1894.jpg|thumb|c. 1894 mass meeting, organised by the [[Irish Land and Labour Association|ILLA]] supported by small tenant farmers and agrarian labourers in the Market Square]]

Macroom was the main base in Cork for the [[Auxiliary Division]] of the [[Royal Irish Constabulary]] (RIC) during the [[Irish War of Independence]]. The [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) was highly active in the county, especially in the areas around Macroom, [[Bandon, County Cork|Bandon]] and [[Dunmanway]]. RIC policemen in the town described the area as "practically in a state of war". After a series of burnings of local RIC barracks and courthouses a curfew was imposed on the town, with a ban on public meetings and market fairs.<ref name="h27">Hart, 27</ref> A local IRA volunteers wrote of a "hinterland unpoliced and unwatched". Local RIC policemen felt they had lost control and the Auxiliaries were called to reinforce them. The townspeople of Macroom treated the Auxiliaries with hostility, and there were instances of their patrols being stoned. The British were embroiled in a guerrilla battle in the [[Muskerry]] hills, coming under fire from the Ballyvourney IRA cell, and lost three men – two of them officers – in one attack.<ref name="h28">Hart, 28</ref>

On 28 November 1920 at [[Kilmichael, County Cork|Kilmichael]], on the road between Macroom and Dunmanway, a convoy consisting of 18 Auxiliaries in two lorries were [[Kilmichael Ambush|ambushed]] by IRA volunteers from the [[3rd Cork Brigade]] under the command of [[Tom Barry (Irish republican)|Tom Barry]]. 16 Auxiliaries were killed and 1 wounded, while the IRA suffered no casualties. After the ambush, the Auxiliaries increased their mistreatment of the County Cork populace, and [[martial law]] was declared in the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary, which led Macroom to fall under martial law for a period of time.<ref>White & O'Shea, 93-99</ref> Macroom Castle was burned out on five separate occasions; the last occasion was on 18 August 1922, following the evacuation of the Auxiliaries from the town. Volunteers from the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|anti-treaty IRA]] retreated from Cork City to Macroom, burning the castle before leaving during the [[Irish Civil War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.southernstar.ie/news/the-burning-of-west-corks-big-houses-heightened-local-tensions-4244437|title=The burning of West Cork's 'big houses' heightened local tensions|date=15 June 2022|newspaper=The Southern Star|access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Mount Massey.png|thumb|left|upright|The ruined home of the Cork branch of the [[Massey family]], burned out and abandoned during the War of Independence. The hill on which it is located is known as "Mount Massey".]]

Mount Massey, which is now ruined, was the 18th and 19th century home of the members of the Massey family, and is located north by Kilnagurteen and gave the townland of Masseytown its name. The family were major landowners with land covering 13,363 acres, extending from Clondrohid to Drishane. During the 19th century, the family tried to temper growing [[Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist sentiment]] by sponsoring the local town fair. Later their home and estate was besieged and burnt in December 1920 by IRA volunteers during the Irish War of Independence.<ref>"[http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/estate-show.jsp?id=2806 Estate: Massy (Mount Massy)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927072012/http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/estate-show.jsp?id=2806 |date=27 September 2015 }}". [[NUI Galway]]. Retrieved 5 September 2015</ref>

IRA volunteer and politician [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]] was killed in 1922 in an ambush at nearby [[Béal na Bláth]]. [[Olivia Charlotte Guinness, Baroness Ardilaun|Lady Olivia Ardilaun]], a descendant of the MacCarthys, and widow of [[Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun|Lord Ardilaun]], sold the castle [[demesne]] in 1924 to a group of local businessmen, which they put in trust for the town.<ref>Keane, Barry. "[https://sites.google.com/site/protestantcork191136/home/protestant-cork-decline-1911-1926-murders-mistakes-myths-and-misinformation-updated-25th-july-2012 Protestant Cork in decline 1911-1926; Murders, Mistakes, Myths, and Misinformation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011103958/https://sites.google.com/site/protestantcork191136/home/protestant-cork-decline-1911-1926-murders-mistakes-myths-and-misinformation-updated-25th-july-2012 |date=11 October 2016 }}"</ref>

==Geography and climate==
Macroom was built on the [[River Sullane]], a tributary of the [[River Lee (Ireland)|River Lee]]. Its hinterland lies on a valley at the foot of the [[Boggeragh Mountains]]. The town stretches for about {{convert|2|mi}} and largely consists of two long streets, Main Street and New Street, divided by the Ten Arch Bridge, which also leads off to the suburb of Massey Town, further towards the village of [[Ballinagree]] and the Boggeragh Mountains.

Like the rest of Ireland, the climate is [[Oceanic climate|temperate maritime]], very even and heavily influenced by the [[North Atlantic Current]], resulting in mild winters and cool summers.<ref>"[http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Ireland/Cork/Macroom/climate-profile.aspx Macroom Climate History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062214/http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Ireland/Cork/Macroom/climate-profile.aspx |date=27 February 2017 }}". weather2.com. Retrieved 25 February 2017</ref> Weather in Macroom is mild, usually warm, temperate and humid, with significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging at 1164&nbsp;mm. Rain falls on average around 21 days of each month, peaking in December (average 24 days), and falling off slightly in June (average 21 days). Snow is uncommon; it tends to fall in January or February, for an average of 2–3 days per year. Wind speeds vary from c 80&nbsp;km/h average in winter, to 50–52 in summer. The mean temperature is 10.1&nbsp;°C.<ref name="cl">"[https://en.climate-data.org/location/11760/ Climate: Macroom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131338/https://en.climate-data.org/location/11760/ |date=26 February 2017 }}".  Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 25 February 2017</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Macroom 15.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.20|Castle Street, with tower in background]]
The economy is primarily agricultural, with local dairy farmers being members of the [[Dairygold]] co-operative. Their milk is dried or evaporated in [[Mitchelstown]] as skim milk or [[whey concentrate]], and eventually supplied to the local [[Danone]] plant, which produces infant formula for a worldwide market.

===Tourism===
[[File:Macroom 18.jpg|thumb|upright|View of the back square, showing the late Gerard Golden's public house]]
Tourist attractions include the town centre, an 18-hole golf course, and the Castle Grounds, with fishing and golfing grounds. The town's surroundings contain large amounts of megalithic monuments, early Christian holy wells, churches and sacred sites associated with ancient visionaries and healers. Mushera Mountain is located a few kilometres to the north of the town, near Millstreet Country Park. It contains the ancient Saint John's Well. 

The Castle Arch, the centerpiece of the old castle grounds, admits walkers to the [[demesne]] parklands. It is held in trust to, and in the possession of the people of Macroom. Its large park contains riverside walks among mature oak and beech trees.

====The Gearagh====
[[File:The Gearagh 1 crop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Gearagh]], a [[Hydroelectricity|submerged]] oakwood forest 1.5 km east of the town]]
{{main|The Gearagh}}
The Gearagh is a national nature reserve on an inland delta, is located {{convert|1.5|km}} south of Macroom. It comprises a series of small islands, separated by [[anastomosis|anastomosing]], mostly flat, river channels or streams,<ref>"[http://www.ucc.ie/staff/memmers/Gearagh.htm The Gearagh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425102538/http://www.ucc.ie/staff/memmers/Gearagh.htm |date=25 April 2008 }}". [[University College Cork]]. Retrieved on 19 March 2007</ref> and is bounded by Toon Bridge, Illaunmore, and Anahala Bridge. The area is thought to have been wooded since the end of the last Ice Age c. 8,000 BC.<ref name="npws">"[http://www.npws.ie/Conservationsites/SpecialAreasofConservationSACs/SiteSynopsis/Cork/Name,907,en.html The Gearagh]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}". ''National Parks & Wildlife Service'', 1997. Retrieved on 19 March 2007.</ref> The alluvial woodland extended as far as the Lee Bridge, and consisted of a large number of mature oak and ash trees.<ref name="r286">O'Reilly, 279-286</ref>

The reserve was gutted in 1954 when the Lee [[Hydroelectricity|hydro-electric]] scheme led to extensive tree-felling and flooding. Now submerged houses are visible from the area around Two Mile Bridge. The scheme resulted in the loss of sixty percent of the former oak woodland.<ref name="npws"/> Today, the Gearagh is of interest and importance due to its rich and rare diversity of wildlife, and represents the only extant extensive [[Alluvium|alluvial]] woodland in Western Europe.<ref>"[http://www.corkkerry.ie/individual_results.asp?sID=44631 The Gearagh ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002602/http://www.corkkerry.ie/?sID=44631 |date=25 September 2021 }}". ''Fáilte Ireland'', 2004. Retrieved on 19 March 2007.</ref>

[[File:Footpath at the Gearagh - geograph.org.uk - 483698.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Main pathway from the entrance]]
The Gearagh is primarily of interest and importance due to its rich and rare diversity of wildlife, and it represents the only extant extensive alluvial woodland in Western Europe.<ref>"[http://www.corkkerry.ie/individual_results.asp?sID=44631 The Gearagh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002602/http://www.corkkerry.ie/?sID=44631 |date=25 September 2021 }}". ''Fáilte Ireland'', 2004. Retrieved on 1 May 2016</ref> It hosts numerous rare plant species including [[Caltha palustris|marsh marigold]], [[Filipendula ulmaria|meadowsweet]] and [[Solanaceae|nightshade]],<ref name="s5">O'Donoghue, 5</ref> and 62 species of [[moss]] and [[liverwort]]. While oak and ash trees once pre-dominated, today there are a number of [[willow]] and [[alder]] trees on the higher islands and inlets.<ref>Driscoll, Killian. "[http://www.lithicsireland.ie/mlitt_mesolithic_west_ireland_chap_6.html The early prehistory in the west of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114100633/http://lithicsireland.ie/mlitt_mesolithic_west_ireland_chap_6.html |date=14 November 2017 }}". Galway: Department of Archaeology, National University of Ireland, 2006</ref> It hosts a large diversity of birds and wildfowl and attracts both summer and winter migrants. Examples include [[mallards]], [[wigeon]], [[Greylag geese]], [[heron]]s and [[coots]].<ref name="s5"/> It also hosts [[Atlantic salmon]] and the near extinct [[freshwater pearl mussel]]. The area is protected under the international [[Ramsar Convention]].

Today the Gearagh comprises wide but shallow water enclosing a series of small islands separated by [[anastomosis|anastomosing]], mostly flat, river streams.<ref>"[http://www.ucc.ie/staff/memmers/Gearagh.htm The Gearagh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425102538/http://www.ucc.ie/staff/memmers/Gearagh.htm |date=25 April 2008 }}". [[University College Cork]]. Retrieved 1 May 2016</ref> It remains an area of outstanding natural beauty, with a diverse ecological system<ref name="w136">Wood, 136</ref> and wide variety of plants, birds and fish, including [[freshwater pearl mussel]], [[Atlantic salmon]], [[whooper swan]]s, [[kingfisher]]s and [[otter]]s.

====Carrigaphooca Castle====
{{Main|Carrigaphooca Castle}}
[[File:Carrigaphooca Castle.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Carrigaphooca Castle from the north east]]
Carrigaphooca Castle is a ruined five storey rectangular [[tower house]] situated on a steep-sided rock overlooking the [[River Sullane]]. It is located 6&nbsp;km west of Macroom, in an area once known as Gleann na n-Dearg (''Valley of the Reds'').<ref name="ob31">O'Brien (1990), 31</ref> The tower dominates the landscape of Lissacresig (''Fairyland'') in [[Clondrohid]], and Lower Shanballyshane, in [[Kilnamartyra]].<ref name="ob30">O'Brien (1990), 30</ref> Carrigaphooca is made of [[sandstone]] and [[limestone]] and was built as a defensive tower by [[MacCarthy dynasty|MacCarthy clan member]] Donal MacCarthy of Drishane c. 1336–1351.<ref name="ob31" /> Cormac Teige MacCarthy, the Lord of [[Blarney Castle|Blarney]] took refuge in the tower after he had sided with the Irish during the [[Siege of Kinsale]] in 1601. He stayed there until he was forgiven by [[Elizabeth I]] after he had written a personal letter of apology to her.<ref name="ob32">O'Brien (1990), 32</ref> In 1602, the castle was attacked and taken by [[Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare]]<ref>O'Murchadah (1993), p. 223</ref> and another member of the extended McCarthy family. After a protracted [[siege]], their forces broke through the outer wall and burned the timber door at the north face entrance. The defenders surrendered and were allowed to go free.<ref name="ccc95">Heritage Unit of Cork County Council (2017), p. 95</ref>

Carrigaphooca is positioned in an area rich with [[Neolithic]] monuments; [[Carrigaphooca Stone Circle|a stone circle]] lies two fields to the east.<ref>"Carrigaphooca Stone Circle". Dublin: Society of Antiquaries. ''Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland'', 1919.</ref> The tower is located on private property, and no longer accessible to the public, although it is owned by the state and maintained by the [[Office of Public Works]].<ref name="ccc96">Heritage Unit of Cork County Council (2017), p. 96</ref>

==== Mountain Dew festival ====
From 1976 to 1982 Macroom hosted the annual [[Macroom Mountain Dew Festival]], organised by young local business people. The festivals attracted up to 20,000 attendees each year, with lineups that included [[Rory Gallagher]], [[Thin Lizzy]] and [[Van Morrison]]. It was the first of its kind for Ireland, and was intended to reinvigorate a town that was then stagnant economically.<ref>Crowley, Roz. "[http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/music/macrooms-mountain-dew-was-irelands-first-rock-festival-409521.html Macroom's 'Mountain Dew' was Ireland's first rock festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817214325/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/music/macrooms-mountain-dew-was-irelands-first-rock-festival-409521.html |date=17 August 2016 }}". [[Irish Examiner]], 11 July 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016</ref> According to one of the organisers, Martin Fitzgerald, "The town needed a bit of shake rattle and roll to tempt not just international investors but Irish people to rest there a bit long...a rock concert fitted the bill".<ref>Roche, Barry. "[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/book-marks-40th-year-of-macroom-mountain-dew-festival-1.2685427 Book marks 40th year of Macroom Mountain Dew Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822064954/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/book-marks-40th-year-of-macroom-mountain-dew-festival-1.2685427 |date=22 August 2016 }}". [[Irish Times]], 15 June 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016</ref> Line ups included [[Rory Gallagher]], [[Phil Lynott]], [[Elvis Costello]] [[Van Morrison]], [[Marianne Faithfull]] and [[Horslips]], and was attended by [[John Lydon]] of the [[Sex Pistols]].<ref>Video footage exists. Power, Ed. "[http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/new-book-reveals-john-lydon-is-rotten-at-the-core-295693.html New book reveals John Lydon is Rotten at the core] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927061247/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/new-book-reveals-john-lydon-is-rotten-at-the-core-295693.html |date=27 September 2016 }}". ''[[Irish Examiner]]'', 31 October 2014</ref>

==Churches==
According to the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]], the urban population of 3,879 included 3,535 people identifying as [[Roman Catholic]]. The town's Catholic church, dedicated to St. Coleman, was built in 1841. It was remodeled in 1893, based on a design by Dominic Coakley.<ref>Cork County Council, 168</ref>

Macroom's [[Church of Ireland]] building was constructed in 1823 on foot of a loan of £1000 from the Board of Fruits. The building is now derelict, although the graveyard is still in use.<ref>Cork County Council, 166</ref> The remains of a [[Thatching|thatched]]-chapel lies to the west of the town, on Lackaduduv mountain. A rare surviving form, the remnants are known locally as "Carrignaspirroge Chapel".<ref>Cork County Council, 104</ref>

==Transport==
Macroom is on the [[National primary road|national primary route]] [[N22 road (Ireland)|N22]], approximately 38&nbsp;km from [[Cork city]] and 48&nbsp;km from Killarney. The nearest airport is [[Cork Airport]].

A railway ran between the town and Cork city from 1866 to 1953, terminating in the mart grounds. By 1890 there were five services each way on week days and two on Sundays, with the running time taking just over an hour. [[Macroom railway station]] opened on 12 May 1866; it closed for passenger traffic on 1 July 1935 and for goods traffic on 10 March 1947, and was finally closed on 1 December 1953.<ref>{{cite web | title=Macroom station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=2007-11-03 | archive-date=27 November 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127054525/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
The town has two [[Primary school|primary]] and three [[secondary school|secondary]] schools: a [[Lasallian educational institutions|De La Salle]] secondary school for boys, the St. Mary's Secondary School ([[Sisters of Mercy]]) for girls, and McEgan College, a mixed technical college located in the castle grounds.

The Convent of Mercy school is situated within the Sisters of Mercy's complex attached to St. Colman's Church, and also includes a convent, primary school, graveyard and grotto.

Coláiste De La Salle was opened in 1933 and originally located in [[Macroom Town Hall]], until a permanent building was completed three years later. By the late 1970s the school was experiencing severe capacity issues and a re-structure and extension of the school was undertaken in 1982.<ref>"[https://archive.today/20240524165602/https://www.webcitation.org/5ko2SPuPF?url=http://www.geocities.com/macroomdelasalle/home.html Coláiste De La Salle]". Retrieved on 19 March 2007.</ref> Since its opening the ratio of pupils has remained relatively stable with 40% coming from the town and the rest from surrounding parishes.

A new building was constructed in 2008 for St Colman's Boys [[National school (Ireland)|National School]] after years of planning applications and appeals.

==Notable people==
{{See also|Category:People from Macroom}}
* [[Rena Buckley]] (b. 1986/1987), the GAA's most decorated player, with 18 All-Ireland Medals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/rena-buckley-18-all-ireland-medals-3591351-Sep2017/|title=Rena Buckley makes GAA history with an incredible 18 All-Ireland medals|date=10 September 2017|work=The 42|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104013634/http://www.the42.ie/rena-buckley-18-all-ireland-medals-3591351-Sep2017/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill]] ({{circa|1743}}–{{circa|1800}}), a member of the [[Gaelic nobility of Ireland]], the composer of ''[[Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire]]'' and widow of [[Art Ó Laoghaire]].{{fact|date=July 2024}}
* [[Donal Creed]] (1924–2017), [[Fine Gael]] politician; [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], [[Teachta Dála]], [[Minister of State]] under [[Garret FitzGerald]]<ref>O'Dea, Trish. "[http://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/farewell-to-a-straight-talker-27057009.html Farewell to a straight talker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414212347/http://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/farewell-to-a-straight-talker-27057009.html |date=14 April 2015 }}". ''The Independent'', 17 June 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2015</ref>
* [[Michael Creed]] (b. 1963), former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine<ref>"[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Michael-Creed.D.1989-06-29/ Michael Creed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184549/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Michael-Creed.D.1989-06-29/ |date=12 June 2018 }}". [[Dáil Éireann]]. Retrieved 24 April 2021</ref>
* [[Dermot Desmond]] (b. 1950), businessman and seventh-richest person in Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/desmond-made-a-freeman-1.165525 | title = Desmond made a freeman | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002559/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/desmond-made-a-freeman-1.165525 |archive-date=25 September 2021 | publisher = Irish Times | date = 22 June 1998 }}</ref>
* [[Ann Kelleher]], a vice-president at [[Intel]]<ref>Roche, Barry. "[https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/it-executive-urges-girls-to-study-science-and-technology-1.2444895 IT executive urges girls to study science and technology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729141446/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/it-executive-urges-girls-to-study-science-and-technology-1.2444895 |date=29 July 2018 }}". ''Irish Times'', 26 November 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018</ref>
* [[Art Ó Laoghaire]] (1746–1773), a member of the [[Gaelic nobility of Ireland]] and a captain in the Hungarian Hussars. He was [[outlawry|outlawed]] under the [[Penal Laws (Ireland)|Penal Laws]] for refusing to sell his horse to a Protestant for a paltry sum and was shot thereafter.<ref>"[https://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2009/0606/646440-artoleary/ The lost world of Art Ó Laoghair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182243/https://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2009/0606/646440-artoleary/ |date=13 January 2019 }}". [[RTÉ]], 14 February 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2019</ref> 
* [[Peadar Ua Laoghaire]] (1839–1920), [[Roman Catholic priest]] and author in [[Munster Irish]] during the [[Gaelic revival]]; born in the nearby parish of Clondrohid.<ref>"[https://www.ucd.ie/archives/collections/depositedcollections/items/collectionname,235366,en.html#accordion1 Papers of Peadar Ua Laoghaire (1839–1920)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030100450/http://www.ucd.ie/archives/collections/depositedcollections/items/collectionname,235366,en.html#accordion1 |date=30 October 2019 }}". [[University College Dublin]]. Retrieved 4 April 2020</ref>
* [[Michael John O'Leary|Michael O'Leary]] (d. 1961), recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] during the [[First World War]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/the-life-and-troubled-times-of-an-authentic-irish-war-hero-1.2085610 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = The life and troubled times of an authentic Irish war hero | date = 30 January 2015 | access-date = 20 September 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Rita Lynch]] (1914–2009), [[soprano]]<ref>"[https://www.irishtimes.com/news/internationally-acclaimed-golden-voiced-soprano-1.695410 Internationally acclaimed 'golden-voiced soprano'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002637/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/internationally-acclaimed-golden-voiced-soprano-1.695410 |date=25 September 2021 }}". ''[[Irish Times]]'', 7 February 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2020</ref>
* [[Jimmy MacCarthy]] (b. 1953), singer/songwriter<ref>{{ cite web|url=http://www.southernstar.ie/article.php?id=430 |title=Macroom Freedom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118192243/http://southernstar.ie/article.php?id=430 |archive-date=18 November 2007 | date = 17 November 2007 | publisher = Southern Star | website = southernstar.ie }}</ref>
* [[Morgan McSweeney]] (b. 1977), [[Downing Street Director of Communications]] for the [[Starmer ministry]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41430517.html | work = Irish Examiner | first1 = Jessica | last1 = Elgot | first2= Eleni |last2 = Courea | first3 = Rowena | last3 = Mason | title = From West Cork to Westminster: Meet the Macroom man who is Labour's election guru | date = 5 July 2024 | accessdate = 9 July 2024 }}</ref>
* [[John A. Murphy]] (1927–2022), historian, former [[Seanad Éireann|senator]], former [[Emeritus|Emeritus Professor]] of History at [[University College Cork]]<ref>Roche, Barry. "[https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/john-a-murphy-i-grew-up-speaking-a-language-which-is-now-extinct-1.1992144 John A Murphy: "I grew up speaking a language which is now extinct"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113012255/http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/john-a-murphy-i-grew-up-speaking-a-language-which-is-now-extinct-1.1992144 |date=13 January 2015 }}". ''[[Irish Times]]'', 8 November 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2018</ref>
* [[Timothy J. Murphy|T. J. Murphy]] (1893–1949), [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] politician<ref>{{Cite book|last= Cadogan |first=Timothy|title=A Bioigraphical Dictionary of Cork|publisher=Four Courts Press|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84682-030-4|location=Dublin}}</ref>
* [[T. C. Murray]] (1873–1959), playwright born on New Street, Macroom; some of his works were performed on Broadway.<ref>DeGiacomo, Albert. "Remembering T.C. Murray: The Man and His Plays". ''Irish University Review'', vol. 25, vo. 2, Autumn-Winter 1995. pp. 298-307. {{JSTOR|25511505}}</ref>
* [[Timothy Quill]] (1901–1960), [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] politician and co-operator<ref>{{Cite web|date=1924|title=Irish Labour Party & ICTU Conference|url=https://centenaries-ituc.nationalarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/30th-annual-report-1924.pdf |access-date=18 June 2020|archive-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424172017/http://centenaries-ituc.nationalarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/30th-annual-report-1924.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Bambie Thug]] (b.1993), singer-songwriter and Irish representative in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2024]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 May 2024|title=Hometown pride for Bambie Thug ahead of Eurovision final|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2024/0508/1448068-bambi-macroom/ |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Jennie |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200" perrow="3">
File:Mairie de Macroom, Irlande.jpg|[[Macroom Town Hall]] was built for £1,000 in 1900 on premises purchased from Lady Ardilaun (born at the castle in 1850)<ref>"[https://theirishaesthete.com/2014/10/06/lady-ardilaun-requests-the-pleasure/ Lady Ardilaun Requests the Pleasure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723034105/https://theirishaesthete.com/2014/10/06/lady-ardilaun-requests-the-pleasure/ |date=23 July 2018 }}". theirishaesthete.com. Retrieved 22 July 2018</ref> two years before. The first phase of work on the building was completed in 1904.<ref>"[http://www.macroomtowncouncil.ie/ History of Macroom Town Hall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214193131/http://www.macroomtowncouncil.ie/ |date=2013-12-14 }}". Macroom UDC. Retrieved 14 December 2013</ref>
File:Macroom 07.jpg|Graveyard in the Church of Ireland churchyard
File:Macroom 14.jpg|Street houses on bridge street, with the castle ruins in background
File:Bridge over the River Sullane, Macroom from the new riverside walk. - geograph.org.uk - 1239799.jpg|Bridge over the Sullane
File:Morris's Bridge, Dromduff nr. Macroom - geograph.org.uk - 734777.jpg|Morris's Bridge, Dromduff
File:Carrigaphooca Castle - geograph.org.uk - 538454.jpg|The MacCarthy tower house, [[Carrigaphooca Castle]], built c. 1436 
</gallery>

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* [[Julian Cope|Cope, Julian]]. ''The Modern Antiquarian''. Thorsons, 1998. {{ISBN|978-07225-3599-8}} 
* Corcoran, Kevin. ''Saving Eden: The Gearagh and Irish Nature''. Cork: The Gearagh Press, 2021. {{isbn|978-1-78846-194-8}}
* Hart, Peter M. ''The I.R.A. and Its Enemies: Violence and Community in Cork, 1916-1923''. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1999
* ''Heritage Castles of County Cork''. [[Cork County Council]], 2017. {{ISBN|978-09935-9693-3}}
* ''Heritage Churches of County Cork''. [[Cork County Council]], 2015. {{ISBN|978-09525-8692-0}}
* {{cite book|publisher = How and Parsons |author=SC Hall |author2=Mrs Hall | title = Ireland, its scenery, character, etc | date = 1841}}
* {{cite book|last=Keohane|first=Frank|title=Cork: City and County|series=Buildings of Ireland|year=2020|location=New Haven, US and London|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn = 978-0-300-22487-0}}
* O'Reilly, H. "Survey of the Gearagh, an Area of Wet Woodland on the River Lee, near Macroom, Co. Cork". ''The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 11, No. 10'', 1955. 279-286
* Ring, Denis Paul. ''A Historical Geography of Macroom C.500-1995''. Castle House Publications, 1995.
* White, Gerry & O'Shea, Brendan. ''The Burning of Cork''. Cork: Mercier Press, 2006.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Macroom}}
* {{official|http://www.macroom.ie}}

{{Authority control}}

{{County Cork}}

[[Category:Macroom| ]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Cork]]
[[Category:Civil parishes of County Cork]]
[[Category:MacCarthy dynasty]]
[[Category:Former urban districts in the Republic of Ireland]]