Mount Massy (in Ruins)

Ruined rectangular house of 2 storeys over basement; dry moat gives light to basement. Hipped roof entirely gone but two tall off-centre chimney stacks stand to full height. String course just above basement level on all external walls; weather-slating above this survives in parts. Entrance front (S) of 7 bays with 3-bay central breakfront; central door with plain limestone surround approached by flight of steps over moat. Rear elevation (N) of 7 bays with tall central round-headed window, small diamond-shaped window beneath. Broad side elevations of only 2 bays. Pair of domed brick ovens (int. diam. c. 1.2m) adjacent to fireplace in basement. Stone plaque on E wall of house, immediately above string course, has following inscription: 'M. Hannah Hutchingson otherwise/Mary Mother to Massy Hutchingson Esq/laid the foundation stone of this/building May the 1st 1783/carved by Con O Donoghue/Engraver. Extending out at right angle fromsides of house are high walls connecting with S end walls of long 2-storey farmbuildings which form E and W range of farmyard to rear. S elevations are ornate, with Venetian and Diocletian windows and brick detail. Range to E recently abandoned as dwelling; W range has pigeon holes at 1st-floor level. Both ranges have central pedimented breakfront. 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