The name Macroom can be explained in 3 ways
1) Derived from the Irish version of Maigh Cromptha or crooked plain
2) Said to have it's origins as the Plane of Crom the pagan God
3) Based on the landmark of a tree near the bridging point of the river. This gives its name as meaning "crooked oak".

First documented reference to Macroom reaches back to about 550 a.d. When it was known as Achad Dorbchon and existed within the Kingdom of Muscraighe (Muskerry).

Up until 1600, this area is referred to as a major religious centre. At various times it was a Bardic religious centre where the area represented a centre for the Druids of Munster, an ancient burial grounds and also served as the seat of the Bishop of Cork.

The earliest references to settlement at Macroom are in the form of archaeological ruins, some of which are still visible today. These include ring forts, stone forts, fulacht fiadhs (cooking pits) and souterrains (underground passageways). Standing stones are noticeable in the district. They dot the landscape with great regularity. Some of these mark prehistoric burial sites. Some of the stones are as high as 15 feet with some of the stones bearing Ogham inscriptions.
The area contains the home place of St. Finbarr, founder of Cork City, and the site of his first church near Macloneigh.

Brian Boru and Bealick
Brian Boru was born around 940, the youngest of two sons of Cennedig, head of Dal Cais, one of the royal free tribes of Munster. When Brian's elder brother, Mahon, suceeded Cennedig as king, he and Brian quarrelled as to their policy toward the Viking raiders. Brian took to the hills with a guerilla band, which grew to take terrible toll upon the Vikings. Eventually, after failing to reach a lasting settlement with the Danes, Mahon agreed upon policy with his brother and joined him in raising an army to fight the Vikings.

Ivar, King of the Ostermen of Limerick, allied himself with the O'Mahony and O'Donovan Clans of South Munster. The O'Mahoneys managed to capture and kill Mahon at Aghabullogue, near Macroom. In 978, Brian avenged his brother's death by killing Ivar in single combat. He then picked off and killed O'Donovan. Brian met the O'Mahonys at The Battle of Bealach Leachta, near the confluence of the Sullane and the Laney rivers, in a day long battle in which Brian was reinforced by minor chieftains, who realized Brian's potential as a leader. They were supported by the remains of the O'Donovan clan and fifteen hundred Danes. Forced to retreat, they took refuge at Leacha Dubh, Macroom, where he was discovered and killed by Brian's son, Murcha.

Following the battle, Brian was crowned King of Munster. This was Brian's first major defeat of the Vikings, proving his military prowess and placing him in contention for the position of Ard-Ri, the first and last real king of all Ireland. He was finally recognised as such circa 1002 C.E.

Bealach Leachta, the Way of the Stones, has become Bealick. The Stones are gallauns in a field opposite and a little west of Bealick Mill, probably placed there to commemorate the battle, although there is no proof of this, they may be much older.

The Castle
During the reign of the Ui Fhloinn (O'Flynns) tribe in the twelfth century a castle was built at Achad Dorbchon (Macroom). Evidence suggests that the O'Flynn family were one of the earliest and most influential families of the Muskery region. They had their headquarters at Macroom and established the first village site. The castle was the focal point for all subsequent development at Macroom.

In the thirteenth century Macroom suffered 3 invasions. The final was by the McCarthys who went on to become the dominant and most powerful family within the region. The rise in prominence of Macroom in the years leading to the 17th century was due to the early influence of the O'Flynns and the McCarthys.
Following the displacement of the O'Flynns different branches of the McCarthy family occupied the castle up until the mid 17th century. The McCarthy controlled approximately 232,300 acres in Muskerry. A total of 8 different members of the family occupied the position of Lord of Muskerry until their removal in 1691. In 1448 Cormac 'Laidir' McCarthy inherited the tile Lord of Muskerry. During his lifetime he did much to improve the castle by rebuilding it and enlarging it. He also built a castle at Carrigadrohid and founded and an Friary at Kilcrea. He is probably also best known for building Blarney castle in 1446.

Milling was introduced in the late 16th century by Gallowglass Donal McSweeney. The remains of one of the earliest is the horizontal mill at Mashanaglass......