House of the week: Dripsey Castle, €2m

YOU could nearly say that Dripsey Castle has only changed hands three times in over 500 years. There have been changes of name and co-joined dynasties, yes, but the property which began with a castle and finished with an apartment has been owned by just three families.

First registered ownership lists the McCarthy’s, Lords of Muskerry, who built Carrignamuck, (now know as Dripsey Castle) in the mid-1400s as part of a chain of similar defensive structures, including Blarney Castle.