Bishopstown House — Ballinaspig More

In public park on W fringes of Bishopstown; fragmentary remains of early 18th century house and demesne, built by Bishop Peter Browne for C of I bishops of Cork. House erected 1726, demolished c. 1831; site now occupiedby recent L-shaped Scout Hall, only very fine limestone shouldered doorcase survives of original house, rebuilt into wall of recent building (McCarthy1981, 6, 25). Taylor and Skinner's map (1969, 170) of 1778 depicts house as having gabled end wings on front elevation. Courtyard to S formed by farmbuildings (as shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map) to E and W which have been demolished; remains of wall on S side with entrance piers survive in poor condition. Cobbling in yard just visible with ornate designs using different coloured stones still discernible; according to McCarthy (ibid,25), the date 1726 and initials 'PB' were highlighted. At NW corner of courtyard and immediately W of N range are remains of chapel (CO074-055002-) indicated as 'Bishop's Chapel (in ruins)' on 1842 OS 6-inch map. Consecrated 1730; by 1848 datestones and memorials removed to St Finbarre's Cathedral (ibid., 27). Rectangular in plan (int. 9.1m E-W; 5m N-S); cut limestone chamfered quoins and surrounds to W door and windows. Porch entrance added to W with similar cut stone detail. Doorway in E wall; according to McCarthy (ibid., 27) 'covered way' is said to have existed between E entrance and mansion house. Vault entered below E gable; bodies of Peter Browne and Isaac Mann removed to Cathedral in 1865. According to McCarthy (ibid., 25), foundations of original house re-used in farmbuilding along N side of courtyard as indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map. Circular platform for animal traction in yard; according to McCarthy (ibid., 25) used to power pulping machine. Number of estate features survive including terraced 'lawn' to N of 'house', known locally as 'The Bishop's Garden'. This leads down to Curragheen river which is spanned by a pair of 3-arched footbridges; rectangular walled area to N of river, according to McCarthy (ibid., 31) was used as a graveyard until 1940s. Low waterfall to E of bridges; ornamental ponds to NW of chapel with 'shell house' (CO074-05501-); walled gardens to S with small garden kiln (2.44m x 2.44m) for burning garden rubbish; limekiln (CO074-046---) to E. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009