Belvelly
Encyclopedia
Belvelly is a small village on the northern end of the Great Island
of Cork Harbour
, about four miles north of the town of Cobh, County Cork
, Ireland
.
Belvelly is situated at the shortest crossing point between the Great Island and the neighbouring Fota Island, which is in turn connected to the mainland near Carrigtwohill
.
The little village has two historic buildings, Belvelly Castle
and the nearby Belvelly Martello Tower
. The castle was built by the Hodnett family around the 15th century at a strategic location and much to the annoyance of the more powerful de Barry family
, who later seized the castle, which served as their seat until they built the nearby Fota House
There was a schoolhouse at Belvelly until the mid-20th century, and this was later converted into a dwelling house. The Martello tower at Belvelly has also been converted to a family home, but its 13 feet (4 m) walls and its status as a historical monument meant that most light has to come from the roof area.
Great Island
Great Island is the name of an island in Cork Harbour, just outside Cork city, at the mouth of the River Lee. The town of Cóbh is situated on the island, which is connected by bridge to Fota Island to the north, which in turn is connected by a causeway to the mainland...
of Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area" . Other contenders include Halifax Harbour in Canada, and Poole Harbour...
, about four miles north of the town of Cobh, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Belvelly is situated at the shortest crossing point between the Great Island and the neighbouring Fota Island, which is in turn connected to the mainland near Carrigtwohill
Carrigtwohill
Carrigtwohill, officially Carrigtohill , is a village in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland with a population of 4,869 . It is located east of Cork city, bypassed by the N25 road and is part of Metropolitan Cork. Carrigtwohill is one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland. It is a major...
.
The little village has two historic buildings, Belvelly Castle
Belvelly Castle
Belvelly Castle is a 15th century tower house in County Cork. It is situated next to the small village of Belvelly, next to the only bridge connecting Great Island to the mainland....
and the nearby Belvelly Martello Tower
Martello tower
Martello towers are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards....
. The castle was built by the Hodnett family around the 15th century at a strategic location and much to the annoyance of the more powerful de Barry family
De Barry Family
The de Barry family is an ancient family of Cambro-Norman origins which once had extensive land holdings in Wales and County Cork, Ireland. The founder of the family was a knight who assited in the Norman Conquest of England and Wales during the 11th century...
, who later seized the castle, which served as their seat until they built the nearby Fota House
There was a schoolhouse at Belvelly until the mid-20th century, and this was later converted into a dwelling house. The Martello tower at Belvelly has also been converted to a family home, but its 13 feet (4 m) walls and its status as a historical monument meant that most light has to come from the roof area.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland