Old Court (in Ruins)

Ruin of house bulldozed c. 1981 into mound of rubble in NE corner of pasture field. Built by Richard Pyne some time around 1692 and called 'Waterpark' (Ball 1962, vol. 2, 59-60). Pyne died in England in 1709 (ibid.); by 1750 part of the 'pleasant park' here had been demolished (Smith 1750, vol. 1, 351); house not shown on Taylor and Skinner's map of 1778. Named 'Old Court' in Old English script on 1842 OS 6-inch map; second house named 'Waterpark' c. 700m to SSW is now an abandoned 1-storey thatched cottage in advanced state of decay; name 'Waterpark' probably transferred in late 18th/early 19th century to this structure. Also shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map is 'Old Pigeon Ho.' (CO036-015001-) c. 50m WNW of Old Court; this no longer survives. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009