Settlement deserted — medieval in Ballylarkin Lower

The Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Crannagh and parish map of ‘Ballilurkan’ shows a castle, castle and cluster of houses. These appear to represent the settlement associated with principal seat of the Shortals at Ballylarkin. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 261-2), ‘Robert Scorthals [Shortall] had a grant of Ballylarkin, otherwise Corbally from Theobald de Troia, sometime between 1202 and 1218. Another Robert Shortals is styled “lord of Ballylorcan” in 1408. Their representative in the early part of the 16th century was James Schorthals, “lord of Balylarcan and Balykife,” who erected the family monument, in St. Canice’s Cathedral, in 1507, and built the square tower of the Black Abbey. He was still living in 1534, being then “about the eage of LXX [70] yeares,” but died soon after’. James was succeeded by his son Oliver who was ‘lord of Ballylarkin in 1549 and 1562; he died soon after the latter date’ (ibid. 262). He was succeeded by James who died c. 1600, who was followed by another Oliver who in turn was followed by another James who died at Ballylarkin in 1635-6 (ibid.). This latter James was succeeded by his son Thomas who lost Ballylarkin during the Cromwellian forteitures in 1653 (ibid.). Upstanding monuments indicative of this settlement include a motte (KK013-016----), castle (KK013-017001-), church (KK013-018001-), roadway (KK013-014001-) and earthworks (KK013-018004-). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 29 July 2019