Where the mountains of West Cork meet the flood plain of the River Lee, at the edge of County Cork's magnificent lake district, the old town of Macroom still seems to crouch in defense of the ancient and important river crossing, waiting for new invaders in this historically troubled land. But now the invaders are Eurocrats who are repelled with the cheerful and courteous single-mindedness reserved in this Rebel County for those who seek to tell us how we should live, and tourists who are embraced warmly and entertained royally.

Macroom, about 26 miles from Cork City, is located geographically almost at the centre of County Cork. The towns name, in Irish Magh Chromtha, means the crooked plain although the name may derive from the Celtic deity Crom.

The town still straddles the important primary road west from Cork city (the N22) towards the delights of Killarney and County Kerry, although a bypass is imminent at the time of writing. The urban layout is that of a Plantation Town, the castle and sturdy town-hall facing each other across a wide town square surrounded by shops and pubs.

For those interested in Irish society and history, Macroom provides examples of most of the formative influences which have made rural Ireland what it is today.

Bealick Mill