Blackrock Castle - Ireland Historical Tour - Irish Holidays Editorial Photo

Blackrock Castle is a castellated fortification located at Blackrock, about 2 km from Cork city centre on the banks of the River Lee in Ireland. Originally developed as a coastal defence fortification in the 16th century to protect upper Cork Harbour and port, the site now houses an observatory, visitor centre and restaurant. The castle`s observatory houses an interactive astronomy center which is open to the public, and has exhibits including a `tour of the universe` and a radio telescope that beams messages composed by school groups towards nearby stars.