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On a S-facing slope with good views to the S. A pond (dims. c. 18m NE-SW; c. 11m NW-SE) is indicated on the 1st (1839) OS 6-inch map and on the 1899-1900 revision immediately N of the bawn wall. A castle within a large bawn (KK022-013005-) is depicted on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Crannagh and on parish map of ‘The Parrish of Ballicallan and parte of the Parrish of Tullohan’ (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). The terrier accompanying the parish map describes, 'a very Spacious House at Ballykeife with Small Thatcht Houses' and the proprietor in 1640 is listed as the Countess of Ormond (ibid.). Three houses (KK022-013002-; KK022-013003-; KK022-013004-) are depicted outside the bawn on the Down Survey parish map (ibid.). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 435) notes that, 'James Shortall, who died about 1540, is styled "lord of Balylorcan and of Balykife," on his monument, in St. Canice's Cathedral, and in an inscription in the Black Abbey. He cannot, however, have held the townland otherwise than as feudal tenant of the Ormond family. Thomas, the Black Earl of Ormond, was the owner of Ballykeeffe in 1550; the Duke of Ormond also held it in 1653'. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 436), 'Ballykeeffe castle is now in ruins. The upper portion has been thrown down, but what remains is still some 30 or 40 feet [9-12m] in height'.
A 'Castle (in ruins)' is indicated on the 1st (1839) OS 6-inch map and on the 1899-1900 revision, as well as a 'Tower'. The tower relates to a flanking tower on the NW angle of the bawn. The bawn wall runs NE from the flanking tower and this walling appears to have been mistakenly indicated as the castle on the OS maps. The castle or fortified house does not survive above ground, with no visible trace at ground level.
See attached:
KK022-013001-_01 extract from Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Crannagh (Hib. Reg., courtesy of Trinity College Dublin)
KK022-013001-_02 extract from Down Survey (1655-6) parish map of 'Ballicallan and parte of the Parrish of Tullohan’ (Hib. Reg., courtesy of Trinity College Dublin)
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 17 May 2021
This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed.
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