Castle — unclassified in Corrabulbeg,toryhill

The precise location of 'Knockdrumashell' (Cnoc Droma Asail) Castle has not been identified. A castle and church (LI021-126----) known as Drumassell Chapel is depicted in 'Knockdrumashell' (Cnoc Droma Asail) on the 1657 Down Survey map of Pubblebrian barony (NLI, MS 718). On this map a tower house type castle is depicted close to Corrabulbeg church in the vicinity of Tory Hill House. It is possible that Tory Hill House was built on or close to the site of the medieval castle of Cnoc Droma Asail. Tory Hill House was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'Detached five-bay three-storey over half-basement house, built c. 1740, with single-storey return to rear (north)' (www.buildingsofireland.ie; Reg. No. 21902209). Westropp (1906-7, 154) recorded the following details on Dromassell Castle; ‘Dromassell or Tory Hill (22). Not marked. 902 Asail fort was reserved to the King of Cashel (Book of Rights). Asail was said to be brother of Aenghus of Dun Aenghus in Aran. 1289 Drumassell at Crometh, held by Juliana, heiress of Maur. EitzGerald (Plea R., 14), and by the Berkeleys from 1321 to 1657 (see supra, section 130). Brian Duff, 1583, got head rent. 1640 Morris Brickley joined the Confederates. Fran. Berkeley sold it to G. Peacock. Cnock-droum Assill, with a fishing weir, by M. ffox; Lochneguirra, by F. Barkeli, C. shown in all the maps (D.S.B., 21, 24 ; C.S., xxxii., p. 5). 1667 Confirmed to Sir A. Ingram (Act-Sett.)'. Westropp (1904-5, 383-4) recorded that the 'castle and chapel stood in repair to the south-west of Cnockgromassell, 1657 (D.S. (A) 21, (B) 24)'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 02 January 2019