Macroom (Maigh Chromtha) is a market town in County Cork, southwest Ireland. It stands halfway between Cork and Killarney at a point where the fertile Lee valley gives way to rugged uplands, and the road starts its climb over to County Kerry. Macroom has seen plenty of conflict, as shown by several tower houses and by the castle in town centre, the last major upheaval being the Anglo-Irish and civil war of 1919-22. It's nowadays a quiet place, with a population of 4000 in 2022.
Get in
[edit]
Map of Macroom
By road follow N22 which links Cork, Killarney and Tralee.
Expressway Bus 40 trundles right across Ireland from Rosslare (for ferries from Britain) via Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Midleton and Cork to Macroom, continuing to Killarney, Farranfore (for Kerry Airport) and Tralee. From Cork takes an hour and from Killarney 50 min; this section runs hourly M-Sa and every 2 hours Sunday.
Get around
[edit]You need a vehicle to get around this scattered area.
See
[edit]- St Colman's Church (RC) was built in 1841 and re-built in 1893. It's on Main St opposite the Castle Hotel.
- 1 Macroom Castle: the best of it is the gatehouse on the main street. This looks like a Victorian cod-medieval pastiche but actually dates to 1450, though it's much restored and now holds offices. Pass through the gate (it's a public road) and the Desmesne beyond is just parkland and modern buildings, but there's the shell of the castle keep — you see it just as well from the bridge on the main street.
- 2 The Gearagh, 2 km southwest of Macroom, was one of the last primordial oak forests in Europe. In 1954 it was mostly destroyed by logging and flooding when the River Lee was dammed for hydro-electric power. It's now an extensive wetland, haunted by thousands of tree stumps and abandoned fields and farm buildings. Coarse fishing is permitted, but pike may not be taken.
- 3 Carrigaphooca Castle is a sturdy 14th-century turret 4 km west of town. Carrigaphooca Stone Circle 200 m east is likely Bronze Age, circa 1000 BC; only three stones remain upright in the 5-m circle. Castle and circle are on private land and you can't see much from the wooded highway.
- 4 Prince August Toy Soldier Factory, Kilnamartyra P12 FN79, ☏ +353 26 40222. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Traditional toy soldiers and other warriors: Lord of the Rings, cowboys, footballers and so on. You can book a one-hour workshop - they make, you paint, for a €12 deposit off your order.
- 5 Michael Collins Monument marks the spot where "Ireland's lost leader" was killed on 22 Aug 1922 in an ambush at the tail-end of the Irish Civil War. See Clonakilty, Collins' birthplace, for the backstory.
- 6 Knocknakilla, 10 km north of town, is a stone circle from around 1500 BC. Cloghboola is another stone circle 1 km northwest, and Glantane is a wedge tomb 1 km west.
- Gougane Barra: see Bantry for this early Christian site in the hills 30 km west.
Do
[edit]- Macroom Community Leisure Centre is just inside the castle gates. It's open M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-4PM.
- Macroom Golf Club is along the riverbank south side of town. White tees 5594 m, par 71.
- Derrynasaggart Mountains are the range west of town on the Cork / Kerry boundary. Various hikes and climbs: the highest peak is Mullaghanish at 649 m, with radio and TV masts on the summit.
- Macroom Music Festival is on the late May holiday.
- Macroom Food Festival is in September.
Buy
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- Aldi is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM. Lidl is north across the main road.
- Farmers' Market is held in The Square on Tuesday 9AM-2PM.
- ATMs are outside the Bank of Ireland and the TSB.
Eat
[edit]- Macroom Oatmeal is a distinctive local stone-ground meal, produced at Walton's Mill.
- Granville's Bar & Grill, Castle St P12 K519, ☏ +353 26 20191. W-F 3-9PM, Sa Su 1-9PM. Solid trad fare.
- Castle View Chinese is open daily 4-11PM.
- Mizzoni's Pizza is open W-M 4-11PM.
Drink
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- TP Cotters (Jacksies), 14 Main Street P12 DX63, ☏ +353 26 41560. M Tu Th 10:30AM-11:30PM, W 5-11:30PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30AM, Su 12:30-11PM. Slick friendly pub with beer garden.
- Dinneen's Bar, 20 Main Street P12 HK23, ☏ +353 26 41909. Buzzing real Irish bar.
- JC Murphy's is at 3 West Square, open Th F 5-11:30PM, Sa Su 2PM-midnight.
- Mary Anne's is north up Masseytown Rd.
- 1 Top of Coom, Coolnolhill V93 EW90, ☏ +353 64 668 5373. Tu-Th 1-10PM, F-M noon-midnight. Ireland's highest pub, in the hills on the Cork / Kerry boundary.
Sleep
[edit]- Castle Hotel, Main St P12 X293 (opposite castle gate), ☏ +353 26 41074, [email protected]. Comfy welcoming hotel, good bar food. There's a leisure centre with gym and pool. B&B double €150.
- 1 Coolcower House, Coolcour P12 E135, ☏ +353 26 41695, [email protected]. Atmospheric hotel in quiet riverside location. It was built in the 19th century, burnt out in 1921 but rebuilt in traditional style. B&B double €140.
- 2 Cannaway House B&B, Lehenagh, Carrigadrohid P12 FE81, ☏ +353 26 48877. Charming B&B up a country lane. B&B double €150.
- 3 Bilberry Boreen, Carrigdangan P12 P281 (off L4607), ☏ +353 86 218 3364. The closest campsite to town, open Apr-Oct. It's away out in the country so you need your own wheels. Tent €30.
Connect
[edit]As of August 2025, Macroom and its approach roads have 4G from Three, and 5G from Eir and Vodafone.
Go next
[edit]- Bantry to the west is a good base for exploring Cork's three peninsulas: Mizen Head, Sheep's Head and Beara.
- Killarney northwest brings you to the scenic Ring of Kerry.
- Cork is the lively city to the east. With your own car, you can also cut across country to Blarney.