The College

Adjacent to St. Mary's church (CO067-02903-). Founded in 1464 by Earl of Desmond as 'Our Lady's College of Youghal' (Hayman 1896, xiii-xiv), consisting of 'a warden, eight ordained Fellows and eight lay brothers....in addition to teaching, the Fellows served St. Mary's Churchand seven other churches in the Barony of Imokilly' (Wain 1965, 51). During Desmond rebellion, 'spoiled and well nigh demolished' (Hayman 1856, 16). Subsequently came into possesion of Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, who rebuilt college c. 1605 as his private residence (ibid., 19). In 1641-2 Boyle 'added two large flanking towers to the house, built five circular turrets aroung the park, and cast up a platform of earth, on which he placed ordnance to command the town and harbour' (Hayman 1896, ibid.); he died there in 1643. By middle of 18th century house fallen into ruins; about 1782 was 'in a great measure rebuilt' (ibid.) so that 'of the old College building hardly a vestage remains' (ibid.). In 1860 'north Gothic wing' added (Wain 1966, 52). To-day 'the only relic of Boyle's house is an elaborate chimney-piece' (Killanin and Duignan 1962, 460) though two of towers survive, one incorporated into more recent buildings; house still a private residence. See Excavations 1995, 9. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009