House — 17th century in Ballyseedy

According to a local history book from Ballymacelligott (published c. 1998) by Active retirement group (poss), the present Ballyseedy (Bailte Ó Síoda) House is built on location of an earlier castle (SMR file). However the ruins of a building in Ballyseedy Wood is locally believed to represent the remains of Ballyseedy Castle built c. 1627 by Robert Blennerhassett of Ballycarty Castle, possibly on the site of a medieval Geraldine castle. There is no historical evidence to suggest that there was a medieval castle in the townland of Ballyseedy. The lands of Ballyseedy formed part of the estate of the medieval castle of Ballycarty located in the adjoining townland. Col. John Blennerhassett was possibly the last to live at old Ballyseedy Castle (KE029-183---). He was living there as of 1756. Soon after the death of Col. John Blennerhassett in 1775 (or maybe even before) Ballyseedy Castle was abandoned and fell into ruin.The name "Ballyseedy" was adopted c.1821 by the new Ballyseedy House (formerly Elm Grove) a mile to the E. Sir Edward Denny, Knt, of Tralee on 14th August 1590 granted lands in Co.Kerry, including the adjoining townlands of Ballycarty and Ballyseedy, to Thomas Blennerhassett of Flimby, Cumberland, on rendering “one red rose at the festival [of the martyrdom of] Saint John the Baptist" (29th August) and payment of “six pounds sterling” per year rent. Following this grant, Thomas’ son Robert Blennerhassett settled in Co.Kerry, initially at Ballycarty Castle (KE038-043---), a Geraldine fort on the south bank of the River Lee. Following the upheavals of the Cromwellian period and the 1641 Irish rebellion, John Blennerhassett of Ballycarty in 1654 lodged a claim to re-establish his ownership of the Ballyseedy estate. This was successful and at about this date he moved, with his family, from their home at Ballycarty to Ballyseedy. Ballyseedy, like Ballycarty, had originally been a Geraldine fort, also lying on the south bank of the River Lee. It was and is adjacent to a fine clear spring of fresh water, known locally as “Puck’s Well”. The Blennerhassetts built their house adjoining and incorporating the old fort, from which it took the name Ballyseedy Castle. The ruins of both the Geraldine fort and the Blennerhassett house, together here called “old” Ballyseedy, are known locally as “Puck’s House”. They may be seen just inside the western end of Ballyseedy Wood, which in 2007 became a public woodland park. Col. John Blennerhassett, father of the Irish House of Commons and known as "The Great Colonel John", was born c. 1691/2, probably at “old” Ballyseedy. On succeeding to the Ballyseedy estate in 1708 he had in 1721 built “Elm Grove”, a large country house a mile or more away at the opposite, eastern, end of Ballyseedy Wood. His youngest brother William Blennerhassett Sr remodelled Elm Grove c1780 “…as an immense house…”, this being completed by his son William Blennerhassett Jr c1788 (http://www.blennerhassettfamilytree.com/The-Ballyseedy-Entail.php). In 1689 there was a legal agreement between 'Charles McCarthy More of Pallis, Esq., further perfected a bond bearing equal date with these presents unto John Blenner Hassett of Ballyseedy, gent., of three hundred thirty [? nine] pounds four shillings for the payment of one hundred sixty-five pounds and twelve shillings on demand for and in consideration of a stock of sheep consisting of five hundred [? and over], a stock of black cattle consisting of seventy cows and six and thirty calves, sixteen oxen [paper perished here}, bulls, nine " stood " [stud] mares, six colts, twenty-two garrons and garron mares and one colt, one grey stable mare, one grey stable stoned horse, one bay stoned colt, three " reekes " [ricks] pf wheat, one of oats, and a fourth rick of wheat, all valued at one hundred sixty-five pounds twelve shillings, for ever together with the use of east and west Ballyseedy, excepting so much of them as is already set to tenants, the lands of BallymcThomas and Gortbrack, Dromavaly, and Cahir[? gual], etc., as by the said bond . . .' Provides for management of stock, etc., up to May 1st following when the agreement comes into force' (MacLysaght 1942, 388). Only the E gable (int. L. 4.85m; ext. dims. c. 5.5m) of the 17th century Ballyseedy House with the short return of the S side wall (L 4.75m; wall T 0.8m) survives intact of the residence of Colonel John Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy. The E gable (ext. Wth 2.2m; D 0.65m) has a tall rectangular shouldered chimneystack which protrudes beyond the external face of the S gable. A large fireplace is visible in the centre of the E gable with tall flor to ceiling window to S of fireplace. A second fireplace is visible at first floor level located off centre to N in the E gable. There are no surface remains visible of the N or W wall of this house. The E splay of a tall floor to ceiling window embrasure is visible in the upstanding section of the S wall, with second splay of a window visible in this wall to W of window splay. A stringcourse marking the ground and first floor levels is visible above the window opening in the S wall. The s wall stands one storey high while the E gable stands to full height which appears to have been two storeys high possibly with a dormer attic level. A complex range of buildings of unknown form and function which locally has been described as a folly stands 15m to the W and may be ancillary or courtyard buildings associated with the 17th century house, a 17th century mill stands 20m N of the house on the S side of the River Lee. This house stood on the N side of a metalled road known locally as the coach road which runs through the present woodland of Ballyseedy. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 1 June 2022