‘Ice Ho.’

Late 18th / early 19th century icehouse standing in grassland which formerly stood in a woodland area on the demesne lands of Killua Castle. Medieval church ruins (WM009-043----) and graveyard (WM009-043001-) located 160m to NE. Ornamental lake located 80m to N. Structure described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as follows; 'Icehouse, built c.1800, built into a hillside in a field to the south of Killua Castle (15305023), within former demesne grounds. Now disused. Two rubble limestone entrance chambers, now partially collapsed' (NIAH Reg. No. 15306028; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15306028/killua-castle-knock-killua-clonmellon-county-westmeath). The following folklore was collected by Sean Mc Grath a pupil from Clonmellon School about this structure; 'On left side going up to Killua Churchyard. It is just beside Plunket's grand gates. It is very deep and going down in a slant. My father used to cut the ice of Killua Lake and take it to the Ice house to make ice-cream' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0725, Page 032; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5009042/4980326/5116239?ChapterID=5009042) Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 27 July 2021