What is recorded here

Castle Harrison stands on level land beside the Awbeg River, holding rubble and low walls that may mark Ballyhay Castle rather than Castle Dod. De Cogans and later Roches owned Ballyhea manor, while Harrison resided at the rebuilt house, suggesting a layer of occupation rather than a single identity. The distinction matters because Castle Dod belonged elsewhere near Castle Wrixon.

On level land, c. 300m W of Awbeg River. The 1842 OS 6-inch map shows T-shaped structure named 'Castle', immediately SW of country house (Castle Harrison). Overgrown mounds of rubble and some low walls survive- probably remains of house. House described as '3 storey double-gable-ended early 18th century house, incorporating part of an old castle' (Bence-Jones 1978, 70). Healy (1988, 315) identifies this as site of Castle Dod, probably basing his identification on Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 83) who quotes Lewis (1837, vol. 1, 137) to this effect; Smith (1750, vol. 1, 306) describes Castle Dod as '...a modern built house...in the estate of the Harrison's...'. Inspection of Jobson's map (c. 1589) and Down Survey (1655-6) (1655-6) barony map of area indicate that Castle Harrison is site of former Ballyhay Castle which Grove White could not locate (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 211), and that Castle Dod stood further S, near the present Castle Wrixon (14300). Ballyhea manor owned by de Cogans in mid-13th century, inherited by Roches in late 14th century (Nicholls 1993, 171). Ballyhea Castle seized from Lord Roche's men during rebellion of 1641-42 (Grove White ibid.). 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

The site of Castle Harrison is believed to have been built in the medieval period, likely by a local landholding family, with the name and structure noted on the 1842 Ordnance Survey map. It is remembered for its historical association with the nearby country house and as a rare surviving example of a T-shaped castle structure in the region.

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