Castle — Conva

On top of a cliff, overlooking Blackwater River valley to S; 19th century house and associated farm buildings immediately S and E of castle. Five-storey rectangular tower (9.7m E-W; 7.5m N-S) with 7-storey stairs tower projecting at NE corner, and 3-storey tower added to S end of E wall, butting against stairs tower to N; section of bawn wall survives to N and W of tower, with circular flanking tower (int. diam. 3.6m) in NW corner (see plan Cotter 1994, 69-71). Tower house extensively renovated, post-1838, by Lady Listowel (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 235). Above ground-floor level, chambers in main block lit mainly by rectangular 2- and 3-light windows with square hood mouldings, mullioned, most with transoms; evidence of rebuilding suggests some at least are inserted. Carved head on N wall to E of 4th-floor window. Crenellated parapets on all walls are recent additions. Vault over ground floor only, elsewhere wooden floors, dating from 19th century renovations, survive, though in poor condition. Tower entered via ground-floor pointed-arch door in E wall of 3-storey tower; low machicolation directly overhead; yett-hole at apex of door. Lobby (2.4m N-S; 2.2m E-W) inside with wooden panelling on walls; wooden open-well staircase leads to 1st-floor landing; rebuilt doorway leads W to main ground-floor chamber. Latter (6.6m E-W; 3.3m N-S) roofed by low, flat segmental vault; plank centring at E end probably dates from 19th-century repairs. Windows in S and W walls are both insertions; walls of chamber covered by plastered panelling. From 1st-floor landing wooden steps lead into machicolation, further steps lead through wall to N to base of spiral stairs, and doorway on W side gives access to main 1st-floor chamber. Latter (7.6m E-W; 4m N-S) lit by windows in N and S walls; walls and ceiling covered with recent plaster. Fireplace in W wall occupied by large iron stove. Short, awkwardly constructed passage at N end of W wall leads into tiny chamber (1.5m N-S; 0.52m E-W), lit by small oculus; evidence of rebuilding on outer wall face suggests oculus not original. At 2nd-floor level doorways from spiral stairs lead W into main chamber, and S to chamber (c. 4m N-S; c. 3.2m E-W) in added E tower. Main chamber lit by windows in N and S walls; segmental-arched fireplace, with punch-dressed chamfered jambs, at N end of W wall. Main 3rd-floor chamber entered via doorway from spiral stairs; walls covered in wooden panelling. Large fireplace in centre of S wall spanned by flat arch with joggled voussoirs bearing against massive skew-backs; keystone bears legend 'M L Restored 1862'; jambs on exterior wall face show this fireplace inserted into window embrasure. Window with double cusped ogee-head light in E wall; window at N end of W wall has rectangular light with mullion and transom division; similar window with two mullions in N wall. Visible on exterior W wall is blocked pair of lancet window lights. At S end of E wall is round-headed piscina. Above this level spiral stairs end in short flight of straight steps leading W to main 4th-floor chamber; from top of straight flight of steps a door on N side leads into spiral stairs rising to upper levels. Main 4th-floor chamber (8m E-W; 5m N-S) lit by window in N and W walls; rectangular lights with mullion and transom divisions. Adjacent to SE corner are two wide window embrasures, with stone seats; single round-headed light in E embrasure, single lintelled light in S embrasure. Blocked fireplace at N end of E wall with arch similar to that on 3rd floor but on smaller scale. Upper level of walls corbelled in on all sides to create ledge; roof above carried on joists resting on ledges and supported by braces springing from walls. Recent flat roof above, surrounded by 19th-century crenellated parapets; tall chimney stacks rise from S, E and W walls. Small vaulted chamber (2.4m E-W; 3.1m N-S) in stairs tower at this level. Similar chamber above with recent roof. Trapdoor leads up to battlements, on NW corner of which is 19th century bellcote, with bell in situ. Section of bawn wall (L c. 15m) to N of tower house; 2-storey circular flanking tower (int. diam. 3.6m) at W end with numerous gun loops; dome over ground floor; exterior steps up to 1st-floor are recent. Originally a Condon manor, Ballyhooly passed in 14th century to Roches (Nicholls 1993, 186); subsequently forfeited by them and granted to Sir Richard Aldworth (Grove White 1905-25 vol. 1, 234). 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