Sir, - Three Castle Head north of the Mizen in west Cork has long attracted visitors. The remote 13th century O'Mahoney castle with its flanking towers, the promentory fort, the haunted lake, the cliffs where choughs, fulmars and peregrines fly, the rare flowers noted by Praeger, are features which have made this a beautiful and romantic objective for walkers, mentioned in every reputed guide book.
Now this lovely area has been closed off to the public. When the owner of the peninsula first came to Ireland and bought the property over a decade ago he had no objection to visitors; indeed he signposted the three castles for easy approach. This was in addition to the public sign on the road from Barley Cove which was removed some years ago. Today the notice, which warns "garda notified", states that the ruin is "very dangerous". This is surprising; two years ago when I last climbed the castles, they appeared to be no more dangerous than they had been when I first saw them over 40 years ago.
Because of the rapid growth of tourism, I can understand the owner's impatience with those who may have abused the old easy permission to walk through his land. Perhaps dogs have chased his sheep or tourist rubbish and beer cans have strewn his fields. However, surely it could still be possible for him to arrange some sort of access to the castles? It seems a great pity that a destination that has been one of the joys of west Cork for many decades - my family possesses a 19th century watercolour painted on the spot - should now be included among Ireland's inaccessible places. - Yours, etc.,
Thomastown,
Co Kilkenny.