Castle — Ballyclogh (orrery and Kilmore By.)

In farmyard, on N side of Ballyclogh village. Five-storey rectangular tower (7.9m E-W; 9.2m N-S) at SE corner of square bawn (30m E-W; 30.15m N-S). Tower repaired c. 1807 as residence for steward of Ballyclogh estate (Lewis 1837, vol. 1, 129), shortly afterwards 'substantial out-offices' (ibid.) built along inside of bawn wall. Both tower and 'out-offices' now abandoned and in advanced state of decay. Tower has ground-floor doorway in centre of N wall giving entry to chamber (5.1m N-S; 3.9m E-W) covered by wicker-centred vault (long axis N-S); manhole through vault near SW corner. Room lit by single double-splayed window in W wall. First-floor door, near N end of E wall, approached by 19th-century flight of stone steps. Inside door, small lobby gives entry to N to base of spiral stairs rising in NE corner of tower, to W into main 1st-floor chamber, and to S into mural chamber (3.3m N-S; 0.8m E-W) with garderobe at S end. Main 1st-floor chamber lit by centrally placed window in N and S walls; N window has single flat-headed light; S window has large rectangular light with mullion and hood moulding; inserted fireplace in W wall. Second-floor chamber entered at NE corner from spiral stairs; lit by central window in N and S walls; N window has lost its light; S window has rectangular light divided by two mullions, with hood moulding. Large fireplace in centre of W wall, with limestone jambs, has smaller fireplace inserted. Chamber covered by pointed vault (long axis N-S). Third-floor chamber (6.3m N-S; 5m E-W) entered at NE corner from top of spiral stairs through pointed-arch door; similar door in NW corner which gives entry to straight stairs rising in N wall to 4th-floor level. Between both doors is corridor, created in 19th century by a wooden partition; partition has door giving access to rest of 3rd-floor chamber. Third floor lit by central window in N wall and by opposite windows near S ends of E and W walls; N and W windows have twin rectangular lights with mullion; E window similar but divided by two mullions; all lights have hood mouldings. Fireplaces inserted into centre of E and W walls. Fourth-floor chamber entered by door in centre of N wall from mural stairs (see above). Lit by window in N and S walls, each with single flat-headed light; inserted fireplace in S wall. This floor is covered by 19th-century slate roof, in poor repair. There is no longer access to top of walls. Bartizans, each carried by three tapering corbels, survive atop NE and SW corners, but battlements entirely gone. Gables on N and S walls have short chimney stacks at apex; taller chimney stacks stand above E and W side walls. Castle of the Barrys, forfeited by them in 1641 and subsequently granted to Purdons (Ó Murchadha 1985, 30). Shown as house on Down Survey (1655-6) barony map. 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 Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/