Castle (in ruins) — Ballykeerogemore

Traditionally, Roger de Sutton came to Ireland with Robert Fitzstephen in 1170, and his descendents held land at Tellarought c. 1230 on the border of the forest of Ross (Orpen 1934, 60). The neighbouring parish of Ballybrazil was held by the Russells in the 13th century, but by the end of the century it had passed to the Suttons. In 1307 John Sutton held Ballybrazil by half a knight’s fee from Bigod together with land at Tellarought, Aclamon and Carnagh (Brooks 1950, 14-16). William Sutton of Ballykeerogemore, who died in 1569, held these lands and others at the time of his death (Hore 1900-11, vol. 3, 231-5). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) William Sutton owned 120 acres at Ballybrazil and 120 acres at Aclare in Ballybrazil parish alone in 1640 (Simington 1953, 185), but the castle and 60 acres at Ballkykeerogemore, also owned by William Sutton, are placed in Carnagh parish (ibid. 186). His widow, Joan, was amongst the wealthiest in Wexford as she is listed for transportation to Connaught in 1653 accompanied by 225 dependents (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 503). Ballykeerogemore was the principal residence of the Suttons. It is located on a slight S and W-facing slope. The remains consist of a bawn (int. dims. 28.5m N-S; c. 22m E-W) defined by the E wall (H c. 4m), a circular tower at the SE angle, a rectangular flanking tower at the NW angle and a house along the W side. The circular tower (ext. diam. 6.35m) which collapsed in the 1970s had a pointed doorway at NW leading into the corbelled ground floor chamber (int. diam. 2.13m) with a mural stairs rising clockwise in the wall at N giving access to the first floor at E. There was a further mural stairs on the opposite side of the first floor chamber rising anti-clockwise to at least two upper storeys. The rectangular tower (int. dims. 4m E-W; 3.2m N-S) survives complete with three storeys and a parapet but there was no communication between the floors, other than by trap-doors. A lintelled doorway at the E end of the S wall leads to the ground floor but the four embrasures are blocked. However, there are four lights and at least two blocked musket loops, but the original total was probably eight gun-loops. The supports for the ceiling do not survive, but the only access to the first floor would be from the ground floor by a trapdoor. At the first floor a corner alcove at the SW angle has a small light and two gun-loops. At the N end of the W wall is a light with two gun-loops. There are two gun loops at the NE angle but there may be a blocked gun-loop at the centre of the N wall. There is a single gun-loop and a large opening, a gun-port (?), on the E wall commanding the N wall of the bawn. Corbels for the ceiling of the first floor survive, but the only access to the second floor, other than through trap-doors, is from the wall-walks of the W and N bawn walls. The second floor has two gun-loops at the SW, NW and NE angles, with a small window in the E wall and a gun-loop at the centre of the N wall. The fireplace in the W wall has a gun-loop at the back. The battlement overails the outer face of the wall slightly but does not have stepped crenellation. However, there was a machicolation over the doorways in the S wall. A house of two storeys (int. dims: c. 22m N-S; 5.57m E-W) is inside the line of the W side of bawn but only the S gable with a firplace projecting on the outer face of the wall and part of the W wall, also with a gable and projecting fireplace, survive. No other features are present, but the house is probably 17th century in date while the rest of the bawn is probably 16th century or earlier. The parish church of Ballybrazil (WX039 023001 ) is c. 200m to the NNE. Archaeological monitoring (03E0376 ext.) of the removal of a shed and trenching for an extension rescued one possible dressed stone that may be a sill from a window (Elder 2006). ---------------------------------- The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 January, 2013 Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Principal residence of the Suttons, descendants of Roger de Sutton who came to Ireland with Robert Fitzstephen (Jeffrey 1979, 134-5). Bawn (int. dims. 28.5m N-S; c. 22m E-W) defined by E wall (H c. 4m), circular tower at SE angle, rectangular flanking tower at NW angle and house along W side. Circular tower (diam. 6.35m) which collapsed in 1970s had pointed doorway leading into corbelled chamber (int. diam. 2.13m) with mural stairs giving access to first floor and further mural stairs on opposite side of first-floor chamber leading to at least two upper storeys. Flanking tower (int. dims. 4m x 3.2m) of three storeys and parapet with no communication between floors. Access only from bawn wall-walks to upper floors. Four lights and at least two blocked musket loops on ground floor. Three lights and at least seven musket loops at first floor. Small window, fireplace and seven musket loops at second floor. House of two storeys forms W side of bawn (int. dims: c. 22m N-S; 5.57m E-W) with a gable and projecting fireplace on W and S sides, the only surviving walls. House probably seventeenth century. Rest of bawn probably sixteenth century or earlier. Church (WX039-023----) c. 200m to NNE.