Castle (in ruins)

Ballyconnick, together with Ballyanne in Bantry was held by the service of a knight’s fee by Thomas de Bosco from the Valence estate in 1247. By 1425 the two areas were held by the same family, now called Bosher, but the value is reduced by half, which may mean that Ballyanne was abandoned. In 1551 and 1559 Jasper Boshere of Ballyconnic successfully sues Cahir Mc Art Kavanagh for Ballyanne, but never regains possession (Brooks 1950, 109-12). Nicholas Bosher of Ballyconnick is recorded in 1571, 1574 and 1618 (ibid. 113), and in 1640 Robert Busher owns the castle and 240 acres at Ballyconnick as well as a total of 700 acres in Ballyconnick parish at Croase, St. Tenants, Edwardstown and Philippintown (Simington 1953, 138). The castle is situated on a gentle SE-facing slope. It is described by John O’ Donovan writing c. 1840 as portion of a wall built into a haggard wall (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 208). There are no visible remains of a structure at ground level in a farm complex. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 19 March, 2013

Ballyconnick Castle was originally held by Thomas de Bosco in 1247 as part of a knight’s fee from the Valence estate. By 1425, it was held by the Bosher family, indicating continuity of landholding in southwest Ireland during the late medieval period.