Belvelly
Béal an Bhealaigh

The Cork Harbour
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Béal an Bhealaigh · Co. Cork

A sliver of Great Island between the bridge and the sea. Belvelly Castle watches over a crossing that's been here since the Normans.

Belvelly sits at the narrowest point of Great Island — the island that Cobh and Spike Island share — where the tidal channel pinches down to almost nothing. A 15th-century tower house, Belvelly Castle, guards the eastern crossing. It's one of the best-preserved tower houses in Cork, visible from the causeway road.

The settlement is tiny — a few houses around the castle. The main draw is the castle itself and the view across to Fota Island. Cobh is 5km further west on the island. Carrigtwohill is the nearest town on the mainland.

Population

~200

Coords

51.8610° N, 8.2820° W

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Stories & lore.

The reason to come back. The things every local will eventually tell you about, usually after the second pint.

15th century tower house

Belvelly Castle

Belvelly Castle was built in the 15th century, most likely by the Hodnett family who held land here after the Norman settlement. It's a four-storey tower house in solid condition — one of the better-preserved examples in Cork Harbour. It's privately owned and not open to visitors, but it's hard to miss from the road.