What is recorded here

Indicated stands in Ballyvourney as a mid-19th-century belvedere, its projecting battlements and gabled corner built to command the surrounding land. The Colthurst family may have raised it beside their country house, but fire took both in the 1920s, leaving only the tower to witness the loss. It still carries local names for a court house and police barracks, blending memory and fact into one stubborn shape.

In Ballyvourney, mid 19th-century 3-storey tower with projecting battlements supported by corbels; rectangular in plan with 2-bay, 2-storey, gabled projection from NE corner. Known locally as 'Court House' and 'Police Barracks' (Healy, 1988, 20). Tower sited just beyond L-shaped range shown as 'Police Barracks' on 1842 OS 6-inch map. In mid-19th century, Colthurst family built country house to S; may have built tower at same time. House and tower burnt in 1920s; house subsequently demolished. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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