Ballyheen Piers

Pair of matching gate piers on S side of road. Tall (H c. 5m) coursed ashlar limestone piers, c. 80m apart, topped with cornice; ball survives atop W pier. According to OS Field Books of 1840, intended as outer piers of entrance gate to Rockfield House (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 214) which is centrally positioned c. 700m to SE. Named 'White Piers' on 1842 OS 6-inch map with 2 long avenues on either side (c. 600m apart) which radiate out from Rockfield House to SE. WNW avenue still in use, gate lodge indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map at end no longer survives. Rockfield House is 2-storey structure, entrance front (NW) of three bays with hipped roof; rebuilt in mid-19th century. Associated farm buildings said to have used stones from Ballyheen Castle (14283). Grove White (ibid., 213) was informed of local tradition that piers were built by English to celebrate victory at Knocknanuss (14694); Mananaan Mac Lir (Grove White ibid.) suggested they were entrance piers to the Fair Green of Ballyheen. Piers removed as part of conservation programme by Cork County Council c. 1997. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009