House

An estate was granted to Sir Richard Cooke in Gorey Barony in 1612, and this was passed on to his son-in-law, Walsingham Cooke, as the manor of Cookestown. By 1621 there was an unfinished stone castle with a stairs tower at the rear. It was sold to Sir George Sexton and Mathew Foard in 1624, and the latter is recorded as in possession of a ruined castle, two mills and a manor house at Ballynowe, which is probably Newtown in the Civil Survey (1654-56) (Simington 1953, 11). He also owned 600 acres, but the exact location of his house is unknown. (Loeber and Stouthamer-Loeber 1987, 195) 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: 14 February 2012