Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 276. “A house of two storeys over basement built early c19 by an admirer of Nelson, who as well as naming it after the great naval victory, had a magnificent marble chimneypiece made for the principal reception room decorated with reliefs of Nelson’s head, HMS Victory and Britannia. The house was refaced in mid-Victorian period and a porch with Romanesque columns added at one end. Five bay front with triangular and segmental pediments on console brackets over windows; roof on modillion cornice. Graceful curving staircase with thin turned balusters. In 1837, the residence of T. Lyons, in the present century, of Rt Hon Sir Stanley Harrington, who built a pleasant bow-ended conservatory at one end of the house as a 21st birthday present for one of his daughters. After being sold by the Harrisons, the house suffered various vicissitudes, in which the Nelson chimneypiece was most unfortunately destroyed. It has now been admirably restored as the offices of Henley & Kavanagh, chartered quantity surveyors.”
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 220. “(Conner/IFR) A late-Georgian house built 1826 by Daniel Conner to the design of James and George Richard Pain; consisting of a main block of two storeys with a three storey tower at one corner. Both the tower and the main block have eaved roofs; the tower has a window flanked by sidelights in its top and bottom storeys, with a single window in the middle storey. The house was gutted by fire 1963, but afterwards rebuilt.”
Not in national inventory The Buildings of Ireland. Cork City and County. Frank Keohane. Yale University Press: New Haven and London. 2020. p. 228. Built for Daniel Connor c. 1824 to designs by George R. Pain, in a Claudian Italianate manner akin to Nash’s villa at Cronkill, Shropshire. The builder was Jeremiah Calnan. Asymmetrical two-storey entrance front with regular sash windows, an enclosed porch of sandstone ashlar (formerly clad with trellis) and a three-storey corner tower with tripartite windows on alternating storeys. South or view front of three bays to one side of the tower. The rendered walls are deeply incised to resemble ashlar. Hipped roofs with Tudor-style brick chimneys. Geometric stair rising around three sides of teh entrance hall. Two drawing rooms fill the view front. Dining room with a sideboard recess framed by Ionic pilasters. Lower service wing.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 98. “(French/LF1937 supp) A two storey house of C19 appearance, with an entrance door in the side of a gabled projection at one end; and a long, plain side elevation. Eaved roof. The seat of the French family, from whom the present owner, Mrs J.G. Ronan, is maternally descended.”
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
€4,000,000 P24 HW20 6 beds, 3 baths, 996 m2
Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels and delighted to bring to the market this wonderful coastal estate with the handsome late Georgian Cuskinny House commanding a magnificent position at the water`s edge overlooking Cork Harbour. The Cuskinny Estate comprises a character coastal property set in a wonderful maritime setting on Cuskinny Bay, a small horseshoe bay off Cork Harbour.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
Surrounded by delightful gardens and pleasure grounds Cuskinny House enjoys a commanding position overlooking Cork Harbour, with exceptional uninterrupted views south to the harbour entrance at Roche`s Point.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
Cuskinny House incorporates a medieval castle keep which once stood guard on this strategic site over the approaches to the inner harbour and to Cork itself. The original house, the seat of the French family, is believed to date from the 18th Century and was subsequently enlarged and given a new front circa 1837 by Cork architect Henry Hill. This included a three-bay front with two- storey canted bay windows, a gabled entrance porch together with bipartite sash windows and bracketed eaves. Descendants of the family have continued as custodians of the property to this day. The house benefits from a bright sunny position and is laid out over two floors plus attic. The generous and well-proportioned accommodation is lit by bay and large bipartite sash windows to the principle rooms.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
Extending to circa 996 sq m (10,720 sq ft), the accommodation includes reception hall, four reception rooms, six bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is further former staff quarters together with two self-contained apartments to the Eastern Wing. The house has a wonderful approach with a sweeping tree-lined gravel drive running along the waters` edge to a large gravel forecourt with lawns, framed by mature trees, running over one hundred metres to the foreshore.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
LOT 1 – CUSKINNY HOUSE Asking Price: 2,000,000 ACCOMMODATION The house is approached via a gravel forecourt, with stone flagging adjacent the house. The main reception rooms are light, well-proportioned and well laid out most have fireplaces. An entrance vestibule opens to an entrance hall with a polished pine floor and doors to staircase hall. There is a library with a bay window overlooking the gardens and harbour. The drawing room has views to the south and west overlooking the gardens and harbour with conservatory off. The dining room has three full sash windows overlooking the gardens and grass tennis court. A music room looks over the sunken garden. The kitchen/breakfast room has a range of fitted units, together with an Aga and two stainless steel sink units. Adjacent to this are the domestic offices, comprising a butler`s pantry, utility room and a rear hall that opens onto the house yard.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
The first floor, served by two staircases, has a main landing with six bedrooms and three bathrooms, all are light and with lovely views of the gardens. The second floor comprises mainly attic with four rooms, offering the potential to either extend the bedroom accommodation or to be used as storage.
Features
Beautiful Coastal Estate to be sold in its entire or in three lots
Lot 1: Cuskinny House with 14.97 hectares (37 acres)
Lot 2: Agricultural Lands comprising 10.11 hectares (25 acres)
Lot 3: Agricultural Lands comprising 32.38 hectares (80 acres)
Stunning sea views across Cork Harbour
BER Details
BER: D2 BER No: 116453119 Energy Performance Indicator: 274.52 kWh/m2/yr
Negotiator
Guy Craigie
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
The gardens and pleasure grounds are an exquisite and particular feature of the property and extend to circa 9 ha (22.40 acres). They include beech wood, rhododendron walk, walled garden and beaches along Cuskinny Bay with swimming possible year round, for the hardy. The entire property extends to c. 57.5 hectares (142 acres) and includes three lodges, with one guarding the main entrance and two flanking the farm drive. Outside the demesne, the agricultural lands are in two blocks of 10.11 ha (25 acres) and 32.37 ha (80 acres) respectively. Within the demesne wall there are c. 5.25 ha (13 acres) in pasture and farmyard.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
GARDEN AND STABLE APARTMENTS Incorporated to the rear of the main house, is the Garden Apartment with a hall, kitchen and utility room and on the first floor a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Adjacent is Stable Apartment with, on the ground floor, a hall, utility room and bedroom and on the first floor a sitting/dining room, bedroom and bathroom. OUTSIDE Directly to the rear of the house is the gated house yard with traditional whitewashed stone under slate, former coach house and stables with loft over, accessed by external steps. Adjacent to the rear door is the Boot Room/Boiler House with Firebird oil fired boiler. The coach house now serves as garaging (5.70 m x 4.40 m) with the stables serving as workshop, wood store and kennel with run. There is also a coal store and car port. GARDENS & GROUNDS The gardens are rightly acknowledged as one of the most beautiful in East Cork. They are a special and particular feature of the property, surrounding the house and providing much privacy and seclusion. They are framed by many specimen and unusual trees planted over 100 years ago and include a huge variety of plants and shrubs including a spectacular rhododendron walk with stone steps rising to the west. A beech wood runs west along the foreshore providing excellent protection for the house and gardens with walks and red squirrel population. Lawns wrap around three sides of the house with a grass tennis court to the east and sunken garden to the west. The gardens, grounds and beech wood extend to some 9 hectares (22 acres). Directly to the north of the house is the delightful walled garden, which has high 3 metre stone walls, in good condition with unusual, curved corners enclosing an area of approx. 0.50 hectares (1.25 acres). Mainly laid to lawn, there are paths around the perimeter and radiating from a centre circle with many fruit trees including apple, cherry and fig together with glass house, potting shed, soft fruit cages, cold frames and hen house and run. The property is bounded by the sea to two sides with some 800 metres of shore frontage. To the front of the house the lawns sweep down to the waters` edge with steps down for foreshore access. To the eastern side there are shingle and sandy beaches for swimming, together with a stone boat shed and channel leading to a stone dry dock. GATE LODGE A single storey gate lodge is located just inside the entrance gates, with a kitchen, sitting room, utility room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. FARMHOUSE This is a lovely two storey house which was recently renovated and located adjacent to the Farm drive. It comprises on the ground floor of a porch, sitting room, kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom and on the first floor, three bedrooms and a bathroom. KING`S COTTAGE This a two-storey cottage also flanking the farm drive and comprises: porch, sitting room, dining room, kitchen to the ground floor with two bedrooms and bathroom to the first floor. This is subject to a life tenancy. THE FARMYARD The farmyard is located adjacent to the walled garden and is served from the internal roadway and also by its own separate access to the public road. It comprises of the original whitewashed stone under slate traditional outbuildings, in need of repair, together with a modern steel portal storage barn (12.50 m x 8.00 m) . THE LANDS The farm lands are comprised of first class tillage and pasture. To the south of the public road and within the demesne wall are circa 5.30 ha (13 acres) of pasture in Lot 1. LOT 2 Asking Price: 500,000 Directly across the public road to the north, Lot 2 comprises of circa 10.11 ha (25 acres) of pasture in 3 divisions together with a derelict cottage ruin with development potential. LOT 3 Asking Price: 1,500,000 Lot 3 is located at a distance to the north east and comprises circa 32.38 ha (80 acres) of top class tillage in 7 main divisions. Here there is a farmyard with modern cattle shed and equipment storage together with derelict farmhouse with development potential.
GREAT ISLAND Cuskinny House is located on Cuskinny Bay on the peaceful southern shore of Great Island, the largest island in Cork Harbour, one of the world`s finest natural harbours. The property is well placed for many amenities and facilities as well as for Cobh, the county`s second largest settlement and a thriving and historic port town, forever associated with the White Star liner, the Titanic. The town offers a comprehensive range of shopping and financial facilities together with many restaurants and character pubs. There is easy access to Cork city, via road and rail, as well as to Cork International Airport which is within a 30-minute drive. Cobh railway station and the cross-harbour ferry to Monkstown are within 10 minutes. The M8 Dublin motorway is within 15 minutes. There are many leisure facilities nearby with Rushbrooke Tennis & Croquet Club, one of the oldest in the country together with golf courses at Cobh, Monkstown and championship courses at Fota Island Resort and Cork Golf Club at Little Island all within 10 minutes` drive. Likewise, with two sailing clubs with marinas at Whitepoint and East Ferry. The Royal Cork Yacht Club which hosts the popular bi-annual Cork Week is a short rib ride across the bay at Crosshaven. Cuskinny Nature Reserve is on the doorstep. The reserve has an array of habitats within a relatively small area, from shoreline to lagoon and grassland to woodland. These support a great variety of wildlife including common wetland and woodland birds which are found throughout the year.
Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.Cuskinny House, County Cork, photograph courtesy of sale advertisment by Knight Frank and Michael H. Daniels, June 2023.
Detached three-bay two-storey country house, built c.1820, with gabled projecting central bay and flanking full-height canted bay windows to front (south) elevation. Five-bay west elevation with gabled projecting bay to north bay and recent conservatory to south bay. Seven-bay east elevation with lower three-bay block to north. Central gabled block with single-bay two-storey hipped roof return to rear (north). Hipped and pitched slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks, overhanging bracketed eaves and cast-iron rainwater goods. Square-headed openings throughout. Replacement windows to front elevation. Tripartite four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows to first floor of west elevation. Tripartite and bipartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and replacement uPVC windows to ground floor of west elevation. Replacement uPVC windows to rear. Bipartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and two-over-two timber sliding sash windows to east elevation. Square-headed openings with timber panelled half glazed doors to west elevation of front projecting bay, to rear and to west elevation. Courtyard to rear comprising five-bay two-storey block with external staircase and gablet. Pitched slate roof, painted rubble stone walls, square-headed openings with timber battened doors. Five-bay two-storey east block comprising pitched artificial slate roof, rendered walls and square-headed openings with replacement windows. Rubble stone courtyard boundary wall to north with square-profile piers and cast-iron double-leaf gates. Outbuildings to north-west comprising three-bay two-storey block and four-bay single-storey block with hipped and pitched roof, painted rubble stone walls, square-headed openings with timber fittings and elliptical-arched carriage arch with cut stone voussoirs. Gabled boathouse to east with pitched corrugated-iron roof, rubble stone walls and square-headed opening. Kitchen garden to north of house with rubble limestone walls and segmental-arched opening having cut stone voussoirs and timber battened gate.
Appraisal
Relatively modest façade masks large scale of structure. Unusual yet symmetrical façade with gabled central bay flanked by hipped roofed full-height bay windows. Outbuildings and walled garden add significantly to the site and add context. Outbuildings, though in poor repair, retain much of their original form.
Cuskinny, County Cork, photograph courtesy National Inventory.Cuskinny, County Cork, photograph courtesy National Inventory.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 94. (Becher/IFR; Wrixon-Becher, Bt/PB; Harold-Barry) A pleasant Regency house of two storeys over basement, built ca. 1820. Entrance front with a single deep semi-circular bow and one bay; fanlighted doorway beneath trellised porch; a second bow is said to have been intended, but never built. Side elevation of three bays and a three sided bow. Eaved roof. Curving staircase, with slender wooden balusters; drawing room extending into the semi-circular bow, dining room in the three-sided bow. Delightful gardens laid out by the present owner, Mr P.J. Harold-Barry, extending to the shore of the estuary and along the banks of a mill-race and millpond, with the ruined mill providing a folly-like “object.”
The Buildings of Ireland. Cork City and County. Frank Keohane. Yale University Press: New Haven and London. 2020.
p. 24. Ducart’s origins are a mystery…He made use of certain distinctive details such as vermiculated rustication, straight quoins, architraves with upward breaks and concave weatherings, and lunette-shaped basement windows, all of which look more to the Continent than to English Palladianism.
25. It was Ducart who popularized in Cork the Palladian format of a central block connected to wings, although his plans are often more complex than those of Pearce and Castle. Kishannig is unquestionably the county’s finest C18 house: a central block with the proportions of a villa, standing two storeys over basement, and linked to L-plan wings by quadrant screen walls which enclose compact courts. On the garden front the wings are connected to the centre by straight arcades which terminate in domed pavilions. A similar pattern was employed at Castletown Cox, and in Cork in a modified form at The Island (demolished). By contrast, at Coole Abbey House (Castlelyons) and Lota (Tivoli), Ducart used straight screen walls to connect the central block to service wings which themselves enclose a yard at the back of the house. It was this pattern which found most favour in Cork, providing a compact economical and efficient layout with a modicum of grandeur. Later C18 examples include Mount Massy (Macroom), Dunkathel (Dunkettle) and Gortigrenane (Minane Bridge), and on a smaller scale the glebe houses and Creagh and Kilmalooda.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 84. “(Allen/IFR) A renovated two storey five bay Georgian house, renovated 1819 and 1960.”
Detached five-bay two-storey house, built c.1820, having single-storey lean-to glazed porch to front (west). Four-bay wing and recent flat-roofed addition to side (north) and single-storey addition to rear (east). Hipped slate roof to main block and wing having rendered overhanging eaves, rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron and uPVC rainwater goods. uPVC clad eaves to wing. Pitched slate roof to rear addition having redbrick chimneystack. Roughcast rendered walls throughout. Square-headed window openings with tooled limestone sills to main block and rendered sills to wing. Six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows with some uPVC replacements. Timber panelled shutters visible to interior of openings to main block. Round-headed door opening with rendered surround to interior of porch, having timber panelled door with fanlight. Located within own grounds.
The symmetry and order of the front façade of this fine house is typical of the classically influenced country houses of rural Ireland. The building has maintained a great deal of its traditional character through the retention of historic fabric including timber sliding sash windows, a fine slate roof and internal timber panelled shutters.
Home of a number of generations of the Allen family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Occupied by the representatives of Kyrle Allen at the time of Griffith’s Valuation and held from Robert Meade. The buildings were valued at £15 and the Allens also had a mill valued at £13. Still extant and occupied.
Allen of Clashenure House and formerly of Greenfield House
A soldier called Abraham Allen settled in Ireland as part of the Elizabethan plantation of Cork. His grandson and namesake became a prosperous Cork vintner, and began the family’s transition to the landed gentry. His third son, Richard (d. 1752), bought Greenfield House near Kanturk before 1700 and his youngest son, Kyrle (d. 1745), married into Clashenure House at Ovens. Greenfield descended through four generations of the family before being sold in 1840 when the family bought the lease of Liscongill nearby. Shortly afterwards, however, they seem to have got into financial difficulties: Philip Allen, the brother of the owner, was an insolvent debtor in 1853, and the lease seems to have been given up after William Allen died in 1861. His widow and most of her children then emigrated to Natal in South Africa.
The Clashenure branch of the family have weathered the vicissitudes of the 19th and 20th centuries more successfully, and remain in possession of the estate, which they will have held for 300 years in 2014. The house was reputedly rebuilt in 1819, during the minority of Kyrle Allen (1807-52), and was restored in 1960 for the poet and writer, Alfred Allen (b. 1925), who celebrated his lineage and the family’s connection with the landscape of Cork in a series of books between 1971 and 1992. The house was purchased from other members of the family in 2018 by Vicky Allen and her husband, Dave Ahern, who have since been undertaking a restoration.
A modest two-storey five bay late Georgian house with a recessed four-bay wing to the left, built about 1819 and restored in 1960. The whole house is slate-roofed, rendered and painted white. There is a prominent but not attractive conservatory-porch attached to the front of the house, but in the late 20th century some of the windows and other timber details of the house were replaced in uPVC, leading to an erosion of its quality and character. Since 2018, work has been taking place to restore the house to its original condition.
Descent: Joshua Dowe (d. 1714); to son-in-law, Kyrle Allen (d. 1745); to son, Joshua Allen (1708-63); to son, Kyrle Allen (1744-1808); to son, Kyrle Allen (1807-52); to son, Kyrle Allen (d. 1887); to brother, Alfred William Allen (1837-1917); to son, Kyrle Allen (1872-1955); to son, Alfred Allen (b. 1925); sold 2018 to Dave Ahern and Vicky Allen (granddaughter of Alfred Allen).
Allen family of Clashenure, Greenfield and Liscongill (Cork)
Allen, Abraham (fl. late 17th cent.), of Curraghroe (Cork). Son of Philip Allen and his wife Mary, daughter of Henry Gillman. Vintner, merchant and possibly shipowner in Cork. He married Rebecca, only daughter of Capt. Philip Clements and had had issue: (1) Philip Allen; married Mary Dowe and had issue; (2) Abraham Allen (d. 1721); married Mary Webster and had issue; died 10 June 1721; will proved 21 June 1721; (3) Richard Allen (d. 1752) (q.v.); (4) George Allen; married Grace Willington, and had issue; (5) Kyrle Allen (d. 1745) (q.v.); (6) Mary Allen; married Robert Radley (b. c.1658) of Knockrane. His date of death is unknown.
Allen, Richard (d. 1752) of Greenfield. Third son of Abraham Allen (fl. late 17th cent.) and his wife Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Philip Clements. He married, 1693, Cecilia, daughter of Rev. Thomas Palmer JP of Kilmore (Kerry) and had issue: (1) Abraham Allen of Ballyduane, Newmarket (Co. Cork) and Fermoyle, Duhallow (Co. Cork); married Mary, daughter of Henry Webb and had issue one son and three daughters; (2) Philip Allen (b. c.1698) of Greenfield (q.v.); (3) Richard Allen (d. 1786) of Coolavoosane; married Ellen Purdon and had issue four daughters; buried 16 March 1786; (4) William Allen (d. 1785); married, 21 January 1742, Eliza, daughter of Richard Aldworth of Newmarket (Co. Cork) and had issue two sons and seven daughters; died 1785; (5) George Allen (d. 1789), of Bettyville (Co. Cork); married Mary Pierce and had issue one son and four daughters; will proved 26 November 1789; (6) Kyrle Allen, of Ballyholahane (Co. Cork); married 1st, Catherine, daughter of Maj. Charles Campbell of Co. Kerry and had issue two sons and one daughter, and 2nd, Jane Carmichael; (7) Mary Allen; married Philip Roe. He purchased Greenfield, Co. Cork before 1700. He died in 1752.
Allen, Philip (b. c.1698), of Greenfield. Second son of Richard Allen (d. 1752) and his wife Cecilia, daughter of Rev. Thomas Palmer, born about 1698. He married, 25 July 1734, Margaret, daughter of John Purcell of Gurtmard (Co. Cork) and had issue: (1) William Allen (1739-1823) (q.v.). He inherited Greenfield from his father in 1752. His date of death is unknown.
Allen, William (1739-1823), of Greenfield. Only son of Philip Allen (b. c.1698) and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Purcell of Gurtmard (Co. Cork), born 1738/9. He married, 29 June 1767, Catherine (d. 1837), youngest daughter of William Philpot, freeman of Dromagh (Co. Cork) and had issue: (1) Philip Allen (c.1772-1832); married, 7 November 1815, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Joshua Barry[?] of Mallow (Co. Cork) and had issue a daughter; died December 1832; (2) William Allen (1774-1854) of Liscongill (Co. Cork) (q.v.); (3) Richard Allen (b. 1776), baptised 15 November 1776; died unmarried and without issue; (4) Mary Allen (d. 1816); married 1st, 1795, John Collins (d. 1808) of Gurteenard (Co. Cork) and had issue one son and one daughter; married 2nd, William Beamish Cuthbert; died 1816; (5) Margaret Allen (1779-1837), born 9 October 1779; married, 6 January 1806, Joseph Devonshire Fisher of Woodmount (Co. Waterford), son of Gabriel Fisher of Waterford, and had issue three sons and one daughter; died 1 April 1837; (6) Isabella Allen (b. 1782), baptised 28 October 1782; married, 10 April 1828, Edward Delany of Lismagoormeen (Co. Cork) but died without issue; (7) Elizabeth Allen (1785-1837), born 20 January 1785; married John O’Neill and had issue one daughter; died April 1837. He inherited Greenfield from his father. At his death it passed to his eldest son, Philip, and on his death to his second son, William. He died 31 May 1823, aged 84. His widow died 31 March 1837, aged 91.
Allen, William (1774-1854), of Liscongill. Second son of William Allen (1739-1823) and his wife Catherine, daughter of William Philpot of Dromagh (Co. Cork), born 1774. He married, c.1806, Mary Salt, daughter of James Law of Sally Park, and had issue: (1) William Allen (1807-61) of Liscongill (q.v.); (2) Sarah Allen (b. 1809), born 13 July 1809; (3) Rev. James Allen (1810-96), born 9 September 1810; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA); rector of Creagh (Co. Cork); married, 19 September 1845, Sarah, eldest daughter of John Leslie of Courtmacoheny and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 9 May 1896; (4) Mary Allen (1812-1906), born 20 July 1812; married, 1 November 1842, Rev. John Beamish (d. 1847), son of Dr. John Beamish of Killinear and Bandon (Co. Cork), and had issue; died 29 July 1906; (5) Isabella Allen (b. 1815), born 15 September 1815; married in Durban (South Africa), 23 April 1857, Capt. Gould Arthur Lucas (d. 1914), of 73rd Regt.; (6) George Allen (b. 1817); solicitor at Kanturk (Co. Cork); married 18 July 1850, Margaret, daughter of Henry Allen of Billaght, but died without issue; (7) Louisa Allen (b. 1819; fl. 1901), born 12 November 1819; married, 14 March 1861, Dr. Robert B. Struthers MD; (8) Catherine Allen (b. 1822), born 11 March 1822; (9) Philip Allen (1823-65) of Liscongill, born 15 April 1823; married, 7 October 1847, Frances (d. 1895), only daughter of Lt-Col. the Hon. Philip James Cocks; insolvent debtor, 1853; died June 1865. He inherited Greenfield from his elder brother in 1832, but sold it c.1840. He bought the lease of Liscongill in 1841. He died in 1854.
Allen, William (1807-61), of Liscongill. Eldest son of William Allen (1774-1854) and his wife Mary Salt, daughter of James Law of Sally Park (Co. Dublin), born 15 July 1807. He married, 18 August 1842, Clara Dalinda (b. 1823), younger daughter of Francis Christopher Bland of Derryquin Castle (Kerry) and had issue: (1) William Allen (b. 1843), born 27 August 1843; (2) Lucy Christina Allen (b. 1844), born 25 December 1844; (3) Francis Christopher Bland Allen (b. 1847), born 27 February 1847; emigrated to Natal, South Africa; (4) Mary Isabella Matilde Allen (b. 1848), born 6 September 1848; (5) Edward Herbert Allen (b. 1850), born 28 August 1850; (6) James Franklin Switham Allen (b. 1852), born 15 July 1852; educated at Royal University of Ireland (MCh, MD); married, 11 July 1882, Jane, daughter of James Campbell of Crieff (Perths) and had issue one son and three daughters; emigrated to Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa; (7) Robert Allen (b. 1854), born 9 June 1854; died on board ship while emigrating to Natal, South Africa, 29 December 1874; (8) Clara Dalinda Allen (b. 1856), born 17 September 1856; (9) John Bland Allen (b. 1859), born 10 June 1859; emigrated to Natal, South Africa. He inherited Liscongill from his father in 1854; the lease was probably given up after his death. He died at St. Peter Port, Guernsey, 29 July 1861. His widow (fl. 1895) emigrated to Natal with two of her sons.
Allen, Kyrle (d. 1745) of Clashenure. Fifth and youngest son of Abraham Allen (fl. late 17th cent.) and his wife Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Philip Clements. He married Susanna (fl. 1752), daughter and heiress of Joshua Dowe of Coolroe (Co. Cork) and Clashenure (Cork), and had issue: (1) Abraham Allen (d. 1767) of Balliduane (Cork); will proved 1767; (2) Joshua Allen (1708-63) (q.v.); (3) Kyrle Allen; married Alice Radley; (4) Elizabeth Allen; (5) Sarah Allen. He inherited Clashenure on the death of his father-in-law in 1714. He died in 1745, and his will was proved 23 May 1745. His widow was living in 1752.
Allen, Commander Joshua (1708-63), of Clashenure. Second son of Kyrle Allen (d. 1745) and his wife Susanna, daughter and heiress of Joshua Dowe of Coolroe and Clashenure, born 1708. Commander in the Navy. He married about 22 January 1743, Christian Tresilian of Bandon (Co. Cork) and had issue: (1) Kyrle Allen (1744-1808) (q.v.). He inherited Clashenure from his father in 1745. He died in 1763.
Allen, Kyrle (1744-1808), of Clashenure. Only child of Joshua Allen (1708-63) and his wife Christian Tralilian of Bandon (Cork), born 1744. He married 1st, Anne Cooper and had issue, all of whom died young, and he married 2nd, 1801, Margaret Armstrong, and 3rd, 8 May 1805, Ruth (d. c.1865), daughter of William Philpot of The Measle (Co. Kerry) and widow of Ulick Roche, and had issue: (3.1) Kyrle Allen (1807-52); (3.2) Jane Allen; married, 29 May 1829, Edward Fitzgerald Fitzgibbon, eldest son of Epinetus Fitzgibbon of Ahareenagh, and had issue five sons and one daughter. He inherited Clashenure from his father in 1763. He died in 1808, and his will was proved 7 December 1808. His widow died about 1865.
Allen, Kyrle (1807-52), of Clashenure. Only surviving son of Kyrle Allen (1744-1808) and his second wife, Ruth, daughter of William Philpot of The Meaualy (Co. Kerry) and widow of Ulick Roche, born 1807. JP for Co. Cork. He married, 5 February 1828, his cousin, Jane (d. 1866), eldest daughter of John Philpot of Clonribbon and had issue: (1) Winifred Allen (c.1830-84); died unmarried, 4 October 1884, aged 54; will proved 6 November 1884 (estate £1,676); (2) Kyrle Allen (c.1832-85); died unmarried, 26 December 1885, aged 53; will proved 10 February 1886 (estate £1,916); (3) Alfred William Allen (1837-1917) (q.v.); (4) Wilhelmina Allen; died young; (5) Jane Allen; died young; (6) Margaret Isabella Allen (d. 1894); died unmarried, 29 May 1894; will proved 21 June 1894 (estate £2,483). He inherited Clashenure from his father in 1808 at the age of one and entered into his inheritance in 1828; the house was apparently rebuilt by his mother during his minority. At his death the estate passed to his eldest son and on his death in 1887 to his younger son. He died in 1852 and his will was proved 16 September 1852. His widow died in 1866.
Allen, Alfred William (1837-1917), of Clashenure. Younger son of Kyrle Allen (1807-52) and his wife Jane, daughter of John Philpot of Clonribbon, born 15 November 1837. JP for Co. Cork. He married, 1867, Sarah Anne (c.1838-1908), daughter and heiress of John Philpot of Mount Zephyr (Co. Cork) and had issue: (1) Anna Margaret Allen (1868-1902); born 31 August 1868; died unmarried, 1902; (2) Victoria Allen (1870-1950), born 12 August 1870; died unmarried, February 1950, aged 79; (3) Kyrle Allen (1872-1955) (q.v.); (4) Flora Allen (1874-1960); died unmarried, 1960; (5) Sarah Allen (1876-1964); died unmarried, 1964; (6) Frederick Allen (b. & d. 1877); born and died, 14 April 1877. He inherited Mount Zephyr from his father-in-law, and Clashenure from his elder brother in 1887. He died 18 January 1917. His will was proved 28 January 1918.
Allen, Kyrle (1872-1955), of Clashenure. Only surviving son of Alfred William Allen (1837-1917) and his wife Sarah Anne, daughter and heiress of John Philpot of Mount Zephyr (Co. Cork), born 8 May 1872. Educated at Royal University of Ireland (BA). Served in WW1 as Captain in Royal Army Service Corps. He married, 2 February 1922, Mary Susanna Doherty (d. c.1990), daughter of Thomas Wood Fitzgibbon JP of Innislings Abbey, Dripsey (Co. Cork) and had issue: (1) Alfred Allen (b. 1925) (q.v.). He inherited Clashenure from his father in 1917. He died 25 October 1955.
Allen, Alfred (b. 1925), of Clashenure. Only child of Kyrle Allen (1872-1955) and his wife Mary Susanna Doherty, daughter of Thomas Wood Fitzgibbon of Innislings Abbey, Dripsey (Co. Cork), born 24 January 1925. Educated at Midleton College; writer and poet; author of Clashenure Skyline, 1971, Shades of a Rural Past, 1978, A mist in moonlight, 1992 and other works. He married, 26 April 1950, Louise, daughter of Robert Cassidy of Cork, and had issue: (1) Geraldine Mary Allen (b. 1951), born 15 April 1951; married James Camier and had issue two daughters; (2) Louise Jennifer Allen (b. 1952), born 9 April 1952; married, 2 April 1970, David Gleasure of Knocknanay, Belgooly (Co. Cork) and had issue four sons. (3) Kyrle Allen (b. 1954), born 20 January 1954; educated at Midleton College and University College, Cork; married Finnola Carey and had issue two sons and one daughter; (4) Robert Michael Allen (b. 1955), born 29 September 1955; educated at Midleton College and University College, Cork; married Aileen Foley and had issue five daughters; (5) Alfred Fitzgibbon Allen (b. 1959), born 6 June 1959; educated at Midleton College; director of Beecher Bearings Ltd., 1981-date and Allen & Hickey Ltd, 2004-date; married Siobhan Smiddy and had issue one son and one daughter (Vicky, who with her husband Dave Ahern, repurchased Clashenure in 2018). He inherited Clashenure from his father in 1955.
Sources
Burke’s Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 17-18; Cork Examiner, 30 January 1862, p. 3; A. Allen, A mist in moonlight, 1992.
Location of archives
Allen family of Clashenure: deeds and papers, 1714-1850 [Private Collection. Enquiries to National Library of Ireland.]
Coat of arms
Argent, a pale surmounted with a chevron azure and charged with three cinquefoils of the second, all counterchanged. [Allen of Cork; depicted above]
Argent, two bars azure, a bend counterchanged, charged with three bezants, on a chief of the second, an estoile between two escallops or. [James Franklin Switham Allen, confirmed by Ulster King of Arms 1886]
Revision This account was first published 29 December 2013 and was revised 1 January 2014, 4 June 2015 and 2-3 April 2020. I am most grateful to Dave Ahern for updated information.
“Tucked away amid tranquil woodlands , Springfort Hall Country House Hotel is a hotel for all seasons . The gardens and lawns at this 4 Star Hotel are a delight during the Summer , while in the Winter months, there’s no better place to relax with a glass of red wine than in The Baltydaniel Bar. Add to this , impeccably maintained 4 Star Accommodation and Sumptuous dining in The Limetree Restaurant and you will discover a wonderful 18th Century Country House Hotel Countryside. Explore one of the finest 4 Star Springfort Hall Country House Hotel.“
Mark Bence-Jones tells us Springfort is (1988):
“(Foott/LGI1912; Grove-White/IFR; Clarke/IFR) A two storey early C19 house with two deep curved bows on each side of its two principal fronts. Open porch with square piers on entrance front, between the two bows and below a central Wyatt window; large triple windows in lower storey of bows. Service wing at side. Spacious bow-eded reception rooms; ceilings and surrounds of early C19 plasterwork. Plaster Gothic vaulting in staircase hall.”
Detached five-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1820, facing east, having bowed south gable end, double bows to north elevation with canted single-bay single-storey porch projection, two-storey addition to north-west, and recent pitched-roofed extension to south-west with further canted-plan flat-roofed extension. Now in use as hotel. Hipped artificial slate roofs, coned to bows, with rendered chimneystacks and render eaves course. Painted rendered walls with dressed limestone plinth. Square-headed window openings with timber sliding sash windows to older blocks, having six-over-six pane windows to first floor and nine-over-six pane windows to ground floor, with cut limestone sills. Replacement windows to south-west block. Tripartite windows to first floor of front and north elevations with six-over-six pane window having two-over-two pane sidelights, and tripartite windows to ground floor of bows of north elevation with six-over-nine windows having two-over-three pane sidelights and render cornices. Elliptical-headed entrance doorway to front elevation with timber panelled door flanked by fluted timber pilasters with scrolled consoles, fixed timber paned sidelights and timber architrave surmounted by ornate fanlight, set into stepped plan projection and flanked by fluted render pilasters with render plinths, architrave, frieze and moulded cornice. Flagged approach having limestone walls to each side. Rendered boundary walls to road entrance with cast-iron railings and cast-iron piers with ball finials and cast-iron double-leaf gates. Former farmyard complex to south-west, built c. 1820, now in use as hotel and outbuildings, comprising eight-bay single-storey former stable block to west having flat corrugated-iron roof, dressed sandstone cornice with square-headed vents above, rubble stone walls with rubble stone buttresses and square-headed timber battened half-doors and sliding sash window. Three-bay single-storey block at right angles to north elevation of west block, with square-headed uPVC door and cut sandstone voussoirs. Six-bay two-storey block to east with pitched slate roof, cut-stone eaves course, rubble stone walls and square-headed timber windows and recent vents. Six-bay two-storey coachman’s house to south-east with pitched artificial slate roof, overhanging eaves, painted rendered walls with square-headed openings having cut stone voussoirs to some, three-over-three pane and two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows and render sills, square-headed timber battened door and gabled timber canopy above supported by decorative timber brackets. Two-bay single-storey former coach house to north with flat roof, carved limestone cornice, rubble stone walls and elliptical-arched openings with cut-stone voussoirs and timber and glazed fittings. Crenellated rubble stone wall to north with gable to centre and pointed arch opening with cut-stone voussiors, now infilled with rubble stone.
Appraisal
The regular proportions, tall windows and symmetrical façade of this house make it an imposing feature on the landscape. The bowed ends add to this, as does the classically-inspired door surround. Ornamentation of the façade is restricted to the door surround and the very decorative fanlight. The building’s interest is enhanced by the several periods of building and by the retention of features such as the variety of timber sash windows and the panelled entrance door. The associated farmyard once formed part of the working farm and is currently in use as part of the hotel. These structures retain interesting features such as the timber half-doors and sash windows. The crenellated gabled boundary wall is an unusual and notable feature, which adds interest to the site.
A branch of the Foott family were resident at Springfort from the early 18th century. The house was occupied by James Foot in 1814 and by [his grandson] another James Foote in the early 1850s, who held the property from the Earl of Limerick. Hajba writes that Springfort Hall was bought by Charles W. Wyatt in 1854 and sold again four years later to Captain Spencer Stewart, a grandson of the 7th Earl of Galloway. Springfort remained in the possession of the Stewart family until the beginning of the 20th century. It was leased to Commander Hans Thomas Fell White in 1895. It now functions as a country house hotel.
“Perryville House is an elegant and distinctive period townhouse overlooking Kinsale Harbour, County Cork in the south of Ireland. Originally built in 1820 and lovingly restored by us, Perryville House is now a warm, gracious and light-filled boutique guesthouse.
“True to its original role as a private residence, Perryville House welcomes guests from all over the world to share and enjoy the finest Irish hospitality and luxury accommodation in Kinsale — your first stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. We invite you to savour a one-of-a-kind, historic hotel experience.
“A masterpiece of Georgian architecture with later Victorian embellishment, Perryville House was built in 1820 by Captain Adam Warren Perry for his family whose ancestors continued to reside here until the late 1950s. It had various owners from then until 1997 when fired by the beauty, character and history of this lovely house, Andrew & Laura Corcoran undertook the mammoth task of refurbishing and bringing it back to its former glory. Situated in the heart of Kinsale, overlooking the harbour, Perryville House welcomes guests from April to October each year.“
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 231. “(Warren-Perry, sub Lucas/IFR) Two houses on the waterfront east of the town of Kinsale turned into a three storey art-nouveau mansion with a sinuous cast-iron veranda and an extraordinary horseshoe shaped arch of plasterwork over the front door by Capt Adam Warren-Perry 1890s. The house boasted a ballroom and a drawing room in the French style, for Capt Warren-Petty hoped to entertain; but somehow he never did. His house was in too grand a manner for late-Victorian Kinsale.”
Blackrock Castle, Cork, from the National Library of Ireland, flickr constant commons.
The Archiseek website tells us:
“Blackrock Castle lies on the shore of the river Lee, in the city of Cork, in County Cork in Ireland.
“The circular watchtower of Blackrock Castle was built in 1604, on the site of an earlier fort. With its 2.2 meter thick walls, it was designed to withstand cannon fire. It was built to defend the city against attacks from pirates and the Spanish, who had landed at Kinsale 3 years earlier. But it also served to protect the English Lord Deputy Mountjoy against the citizens of Cork, who had been slow to acknowledge King James I.
“Later Blackrock Castle was used by the Mayors of Cork for the Admiralty Court. Also known as the Maritime Court, it exercised jurisdiction over all maritime caes and offences.
“In 1827 the castle was gutted by fire following the annual Corporation banquet. Two years later, in 1829, it was rebuilt and enlarged in Gothic Revival style.
“Later it was used as a meeting place, a private residence, a restaurant and commercial offices before it was acquired by the Cork City Council in 2001. At present the castle houses an astronomy center/museum especially aimed at children.” [1]
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert French, Lawrence Photographic Collection, National Library of Ireland.Blackrock Castle from Views in Ireland after Thomas Sautelle Roberts courtesy Adams Irish Old Masters 15 May 2025
1829 – Blackrock Castle, Co. Cork
Architect: James Pain
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy Archiseek.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy Archiseek.Blackrock Castle and the River Lee, County Cork 1796, photograph courtesy of National Gallery of Ireland.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Detached castellated fortification, re-constructed 1829, having circular five-storey crenellated tower to the north-west on to the Lee River with two crenellated towers to south set in courtyard bounded by curtain wall with single- and two-storey buildings. Retaining elements of earlier phases of building. Restored and converted to use as an observatory with a new building constructed to the south-east, c.2005. Squared coursed limestone walling with cut limestone crenellations, capping stones and stringcourses. Double lancet windows in square-headed openings with hood mouldings to the second and third floors of the north side of the large tower having stone mullions and tracery. Smaller lancet and narrow square-headed window openings to the remainder of the buildings having small pane timber casements and some hood mouldings. Replacement sheeted timber door to depressed three-centred-arched opening and two glazed and timber doors in elliptical-arched openings, all leading on to courtyard. Pointed arch gateway to river set in gatehouse with cut limestone crenellated turrets to corners. Rubble limestone curtain wall with remnants of lime render to southern wall. Pedestrian gateway to east set in crenellated limestone surround. Crenellated gateway in south wall comprising Tudor-arched opening set in ashlar limestone crenellated wall flanked by ashlar limestone crenellated towers with timber gates. Pedestrian gateway to east. Set on south bank of river, overlooking the harbour.
Appraisal
This landmark building has undergone a number of reconstructions since the first tower was built on this site, c.1582. The present building mainly dates from 1828-29 when the building was rebuilt under the direction of James and George Richard Pain. The castle embodies a huge amount of architectural and social history gathered over five centuries during which time the building was used as a defence fortification to guard the river, a sentinel tower to guide shipping, a light house, a private residence, a restaurant and now an observatory. The limestone construction displays fine craftsmanship in its stonemasonry with different techniques and phases of development visible throughout the building.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Freestanding ashlar entrance gateway, built c.1825. Central carriage arch comprises four-centred Tudor-style arch surmounted by crenellated parapet with square-profile ashlar crenellated turrets having single blind arrow loops supporting arch and flanking recent double-leaf timber gate. Four-centred Tudor-style arch to pedestrian entrance with segmental coping adjoining single store gatehouse to the east. Rubble stone wall surmounted by recent railings to the west. Commemorative plaque on western turret records the rebuilding of the castle in 1828.
Appraisal
The entrance to the castle is an early-nineteenth-century interpretation of a medieval castellated gateway. Executed in high quality stonework, the composition is balanced and the four-centred arch is an attractive centrepiece. It was probably designed by George Richard and James Pain, architects to the Admiralty Court of the City Corporation, who were responsible for the restoration work at the castle at the time.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Staggered single-bay single-storey former gate lodge, built 1828, to east of southern gateway into castle. Flat roof hidden by crenellated parapet. Rubble limestone walls with cut limestone string course and copings to crenellations. Square-headed openings with bipartite windows having one-over-one timber sliding sash windows. Recent glazed extension facing courtyard, now in use as café.
Appraisal
The castle, originally built in 1604 by Lord Deputy Mountjoy to protect the passage to the city along the river, was restored in 1828 to a design by George Richard and James Pain at the behest of the Admiralty Court of the City Corporation. It was used as a banqueting room and to hold court sessions. It is an important landmark in the defensive architecture of Cork Harbour. The restoration is a fine example of an early nineteenth century interpretation of a late medieval fortified watch tower enclosure. The craftsmanship of the ashlar parapets and entrance is reserved for these areas so as to reinforce the appearance of strength of the main walls.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
‘About half-past two o’clock on Tuesday morning, Blackrock Castle was observed to be on fire, and in a few minutes presented a very imposing sight. The waters were illuminated, and the surrounding hills completely lit, presenting more the appearance of noon-day than of a dark night. Immediately after the cupola blazed with the greatest splendour, the heavy leads caught fire and sent to the river a liquid body of burning lead, the concussion between the red-hot lead and water sending forth a crash resembling the noise of artillery; the rain which fell about the time on the burning lead roof, yielding a noise like the fire of musketry. The whole presented a grand and awful sight, and continued burning with unabated fury for upwards of three hours. The roof has completely disappeared, and the timbers in the wall were burning this morning at seven o’clock. Fortunately, the inmates escaped unhurt. Had the wind been in another direction, the surrounding houses would probably have been destroyed. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a slate having broken the glass of the river light which is kept on Blackrock Castle for the use of ships, and the fire caught the roof.’ Dublin Morning Register, March 2nd 1827.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Located on a limestone outcrop in the river Lee to the immediate east of Cork city, Blackrock Castle was originally built in the early 1580s and maintained by the local burghers according to a contemporary document, ‘to resist pirates and other invasion’ (it should be remembered that as late as 1631, the coastal village of Baltimore, further to the west was sacked by pirates and more than 100 of its residents carried off into slavery in Algiers). The first castle was little more than a watch tower which also served to help guide ships into Cork harbour. However, in the early 17th century, Ireland’s Lord Deputy Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy caused the building to be enlarged and reinforced, with walls over seven feet thick and the main circular tower having a diameter of some 34 and a half feet. Returned by James I to the citizenry of Cork in 1608, this structure held artillery intended to repel any would-be invaders venturing up the river. In 1722, the castle was damaged by fire and, according to Charles Smith’s Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Cork (1750), the corporation spent £296 refurbishing the building, this work including the creation of ‘a very handsome octagon room, from whence is a delightful prospect of the harbour, from Passage to Cork.’ Here, according to Smith, ‘the mayors of Cork hold an admiralty court, being, by several charters, appointed admirals of the harbour.’ In addition, on the first day of August each year, the mayor and corporation held an ‘entertainment’ in the building, ‘at the charge of the city.’ Such remained the case until February 27th when a serious fire, as described above in the Dublin Morning Register, largely destroyed the old castle.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
In December 1827, Cork Corporation voted a sum of £800, and the Harbour Commissioners a further £200 towards the cost of rebuilding Blackrock Castle. The job was entrusted to architect siblings James and George Pain, both pupils of John Nash, who had each come to Ireland during the previous decade and established thriving practices. As designed by the Pains and completed within two years, Blackrock Castle looks like a medieval fortress, its dominant feature being a large circular tower to which is attached a much more slender and somewhat taller turret: the latter continued to have navigation lights on its roof to aid shipping. Around the tower, a series of battlemented walls enclose a courtyard, helping to confirm the image of a romantic gothic castle. Despite being described in the Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society in 1914 as ‘one of the prettiest and most striking objects to be seen on the river Lee’, the building thereafter suffered from neglect for much of the last century,. It was leased to a professor of botany in the 1930s and then sold in the 1960s to a group of local businessmen, after which it served as a bar, a restaurant, commercial offices and, for one period, as a private residence. In 2001 Blackrock Castle was bought back by Cork Corporation for IR£825,000 and a programme of restoration was undertaken. For almost 20 years, the building has housed an observatory run by Munster Technological University and laboratories staffed by astronomical researchers from the same institution. Although open to the public and hosting exhibitions, because the castle always served practical purposes, internally there is little of decorative interest, other than a fine limestone chimneypiece from the second quarter of the 17th century and originally in a since-demolished house called Ronayne’s Court. Better to rejoice in the handsome exterior, with the waters of the river Lee washing against a sequence of towers and turrets.
Blackrock Castle, County Cork, photograph by Robert O’Byrne.
Stradone House, Stradone, Co Cavan – demolished, but a Grecian gate lodge survives
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 266. “(Burrowes/IFR) a late Georgian mansion by John B. Keane, with a two-storey front, and a large return with an extra mezzanine storey. The entrance front had five bays, the central bay recessed under a massive arch, beneath a pediment. The ground-floor windows on either side of the entrance were set in shallow arched recesses. Demolished, but a Grecian gate lodge survives.”
Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.
“Large classical house designed in 1828 by John B. Keane for Major F. Burrows. Demolished.”
DRUMLAUNAGHT (UPP. LOUGHTEE BY.),STADONE, County Cavan
Detached Greek Revival three-bay single-storey former gate lodge, built c.1845, with projecting entrance porch. Now in use as private house. Hipped slate roof with replacement ridge tiles, oversailing eaves supported on plain timber brackets, cut-stone central chimneystack and replacement rainwater goods. Walls now stripped to reveal red brick with brick cornice, having vertical ashlar strip of quoins raised to form antae, and cut-stone plinth all round. Two-stage windows flanking porch divided by stone lintel, to north bay small window over lintel with blind brick recess below, opposite arrangement to south bay. Replacement casement windows. Advanced flat-roofed porch with pilasters, full salient entablature and blocking course, and replacement timber panelled door with glazed upper sections. Corner antae framing a wide window on each gable with raised cutstone surround and stone sill, brick relieving arch over, and replacement tripartite casement windows. Rear elevation to road with same two-stage window recesses as front elevation having window to one upper section and all others as blind brick.
Appraisal
An important Grecian Style lodge in the style of Sir Richard Morrison, probably designed by J.B. Keane (d.1859) who had been an assistant in the Morrisons’ office. Keane designed Stradone House in 1828 for Major F. Burrows, as well as a contemporary porter’s lodge, both are now demolished. This finely executed gate lodge is an interesting survivor and has a number of striking features including the treatment of windows, the quoins expressed as antae on the elevations and the employment of the gable-facing entrance gates. The lodge retains much of its original form and materials and though small has a strong sense of scale suited to its roadside location.
THE BURROWES’ WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CAVAN, WITH 9,572 ACRES
This family was established in Ireland by
ROBERT BOROWES, who settled at Drumlane, County Cavan, on the settlement of Ulster by JAMES I.
His eldest son and heir,
THOMAS BOROWES, became possessed of Stradone, of which estate he also received a patent of confirmation from CHARLES I, 1638.
THOMAS BURROWES, of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1743, married Jane, daughter of Thomas Nesbitt, of Lismore House, County Cavan, and had issue,
ROBERT, his heir; Thomas, of Dangan Castle; Arnold (Rev); Cosby; Margery; Anne; Martha; Jane.
The eldest son,
ROBERT BURROWES, of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1773, married Sophia, daughter of the Ven Joseph Story, Archdeacon of Kilmore, and was father of
MAJOR THOMAS BURROWES (1772-1836), of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1803, who married, in 1807, Susan, daughter of the Rev Henry Seward, of Badsey, Worcestershire, and had issue,
ROBERT, his heir; James Edward; Henry; Honora Seward.
Mr Borrowes was succeeded by his eldest son,
ROBERT BURROWES JP DL MP (1810-81), of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1838, MP for Cavan, 1855-57, who wedded, in 1838, Anne Frances, only daughter of John Garden, of Barnane, County Tipperary, and had issue,
Thomas, died in infancy; ROBERT JAMES, his heir; Arnold Henry (1846-48); Frances Susan; Honora; Mary Anne Cecilia.
Mr Borrowes was succeeded by his only surviving son,
ROBERT JAMES BURROWES JP DL (1844-93), of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1883, Captain, 1st Dragoon Guards, who married, in 1876, Ella (44, Thurloe Square), daughter of Commodore Magruder, US Navy, and niece of Major-General JB Magruder, and had issue,
THOMAS JAMES, his heir; Robert Philip; Helena Mary; Kathleen Fanny.
Mr Borrowes was succeeded by his eldest son,
THOMAS JAMES BURROWES JP DL (1880-1935), of Stradone House, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1902, who espoused, in 1920, Blanche Wilson, daughter of Joseph Charles Mappin, and had issue,
Robert Philip (1920-91); James Edward; Anne Seward Francis; Susan Honora.
STRADONE HOUSE, near Stradone, County Cavan, was a late Georgian mansion by John Keane, with a two-storey front, and a large return with an extra mezzanine storey.
The entrance front had five bays, the central bay recessed under a massive arch, beneath a pediment.
The ground-floor windows on either side of the entrance were set in shallow arched recesses.
The house had an eaved roof on a bracket cornice.
Stradone House is now demolished.
Former London residence ~ 22 Lowndes Street.
I’m seeking better images and information relating to Stradone House.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 239. “(Lucas-Clements/IFR) a two storey Classical block of 1820s by William Farrell, built for Theophilus Lucas-Clements with money given to him by his cousin, Harriet, whose father, Capt John Clements, made a considerable fortune commanding a ship in the East India Company service. Pedimented entrance front; four bay side elevation; three bay garden front, facing the river. Strip-pilasters between windows and at corners; entablatures on console brackets over ground floor windows; roof largely concealed by parapet. The house was greatly prolonged by an office wing and conservatory, which were demolished 1920. High, well-proportioned rooms, compactly arranged; simple cornices; drawing room opening into library with double doors. Across the river from the house is a delightful early C18 garden, full of yew and box, with walls of faded red brick and a Georgian Gothic “tea house”. The garden, laid out by Elizabeth (nee Sandford), widow of Robert Clements, MP, who alighted on the previous house, which stood on the opposite bank of the river a short distance from the present one. Now, as at various times in the past, there is a bridge; but it is said that at one time in C18, the only way to get from the house to the garden was by boat; enabling the men to make merry in the tea house, in sight of their womenfolk, but out of their reach. Percy French wrote Ballyjamesduff while staying here.”
Detached Regency-style three-bay two-storey country house, built 1829, with astylar pedimented breakfront and advanced end piers. Hipped slate roof with tall rendered stacks and terracotta pots behind blocking course over cornice and ashlar frieze with central pediment. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Rubble stone walls, formerly rendered, with sandstone ashlar quoins, and limestone ashlar plinth course to height of entrance steps. Ashlar sandstone block-and-start window surrounds to upper floor windows. Ashlar limestone surrounds to ground floor windows with panels under sills and bracketed entablatures. Six-over-six sliding-sash timber windows. Bracketed entablature motif elaborated over the entrance door and side lights having six-over-four timber sash windows, limestone architrave of door contrasts to sandstone of side-lights. Four-bay side elevations with advanced centre bays and end piers, bracketed entablatures over ground floor windows. Rear three-bay elevation facing river with bracketed entablatures to ground-floor windows and full-height pilasters between the bays. Lower two-storey return to north-west elevation. Retaining interior features and fittings. Stable and farmyards beyond to the west ranged along the river. Set in an older demesne straddling the Annalee River, sited across river from earlier house of which only the terraced walled gardens survive. Gardens set out in terraces with central path framed by yew trees reached by concrete footbridge in central axis. Gothic-style Georgian tea house aligned with central path faced in red brick with rusticated quoins and battlemented parapet with limestone copings over a wide plat band. Gardens originally aligned on the previous house open onto the river to the south with stone quay walls to river bank.
Appraisal
A sizeable four-square Regency-style house built for Theopholis Lucas-Clements to designs by William Farrell (d. 1851). The house has a finely executed formal exterior framed by double-height pilasters, using contrasting details in sandstone and finely wrought limestone. It is located within an historic older demesne, possibly dating to the Jacobean period when the Clements family were first established here. The terraced walled garden and Georgian tea house survive from an earlier formally designed landscape, predating the surrounding naturalistic park in the English landscape manner. A ringfort site enclosed by traces of an earthen bank located within a plantation of coniferous trees north-east of the walled garden forms an earlier layer to the palimpsest of this fascinating demesne straddling the Annalee River. The site also encompasses stable and farm courtyards of high quality as well as a gate lodge.
Rathkenny House, County Cavan, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Rathkenny House, County Cavan, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Detached L-plan multiple-bay two-storey stable block, built c.1830, with later single-storey lean-to adjoining to the west, tall walls to south and east creating a courtyard. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles and oversailing barge stones, rendered brick chimneystack with string courses, cast-iron rainwater goods. Limestone rubble walls with brick surrounds to square-headed window and door openings. Ground floor windows and door recessed within wider elliptical-headed brick arches. Some replacement casement windows, some louvred windows to upper floor, with stone sills. Limestone ashlar gate piers on plinth with square cap and plainly treated gate stops. Set beside the Annalee River to the west of Rathkenny House within the historic demesne
Appraisal
A well constructed stable block probably by William Farrell, who designed the main house for Theophilus Lucas-Clements in 1829. The stables built of rubble limestone with brick dressings and ashlar gate piers are well maintained and from part of a well-maintained demense ensemble which demonstrates the workings of a substantial country house of the early nineteenth century.
Rathkenny House, County Cavan, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Detached rectangular-plan three-bay single-storey tea house in Georgian Gothic style, built c.1730. Red brick walls with rusticated ashlar quoins and a battlemented parapet of brick merlons over a limestone platband. Tall lancet windows flanking central pointed arch doorway with timber battened tympanum over double-leaf doors with twin cusped pointed arched panels above short flight of limestone steps. Set between low quadrant walls terminating in urn-topped brick piers. Axially arranged terraced walled garden of earlier date, and approached by a metal footbridge on the central axis. Garden descends to river in three terraces terminating at a retaining quay wall level to the ground. Side walls descend to river with terminating octagonal ashlar piers with base at quay side having cornice and surmounting urn. Central path with flights of steps flanked by urn-topped brick piers and Irish yew trees rising to the summer house on the back wall of the garden. Located within Rathkenny Demesne on the opposite bank of the Annalee River to Rathkenny House.
Appraisal
A visitor in 1739 admired how the river at Rathkenny was ‘beautified by an elegant house, improvements and large plantations on the S shore, and on its N bank by extensive gardens and terraces’. While the rusticated quoins and plat band suggest that the tea house is of early Georgian date, the terraced gardens open to the river may retain elements of an earlier designed landscape, associated with an earlier Jacobean house. The Ordnance Survey map of 1836 records the foot bridge further to the west on a different alignment. It also records a ringfort east of the tea-house, indicating that this location was occupied at two different eras of the county’s history. A similar exotic garden landscape at nearby Ballyhaise survives only in a written description, making this intact formal demesne landscape all the more important.
In 1739 an Anglican clergyman called William Henry wrote a descriptive account of the area around Ulster’s Upper Lough Erne in which he mentioned that a river (which he calls ‘of Ballyhaise’ but which is now known as the Annalee) ‘ murmurs by Rathkenny, the seat of the Clements’ family. Here the river is beautified by an elegant house, improvements and large plantations on the southern shore, and on its northern bank by extensive gardens and terraces.’ It appears that Daniel Clements, originally from Warwickshire, came to Ireland in the 1640s as a soldier and by 1657 was in possession of the estate of almost 2,000 acres at Rathkenny, County Cavan which remained in the possession of his descendants (whose name in the 19th century became Lucas-Clements) until sold just a few years ago. His son Robert succeeded to the property in 1680 and remained there until his own death in 1722. One of Robert’s sons was Nathaniel, of whom mention has been made here before (see A Man of Taste and Influence, August 3rd 2015).
The Clements family would seem to have built a house for themselves on the south bank of the river which bisected their property. Nothing is known of the appearance or character of this building since it was demolished, likely around the late 1820s when work began on a new residence. This neo-classical block was designed by William Farrell who was the architect for a number of other such places in the vicinity. A sunken lawn to the immediate east appears to indicate where was the previous house but directly across the river is a survivor from the earlier property: a terraced walled garden. Today this is approached by a narrow concrete bridge but presumably something more elegant once offered access, since the garden itself is rather splendid. Cut limestone walls support banks on either side of limestone gate piers: paths to the immediate left and right lead to enclosing red brick walls which, on the river frontage, conclude in tall piers topped with urns. A gate to the east leads beyond the wall to the remains of a small pavilion built on the water’s edge; only one wall of this remains with a gothic arched window at its centre. One has a sense of what this little building must have been like since at the top and centre of the main terraces (supported by a sequence of low brick walls) is a summer house. Flanked by quadrant walls it is in the gothick style, constructed of brick with stone quoins, a battlemented parapet and arched windows on each side of the door. Inside is a single high-ceilinged room which once had further windows, since blocked up, and a chimneypiece which has gone. To the rear of the building there is access to another room below: one imagines this was used by servants looking after the needs of those upstairs.
Relatively little is known of the history of the walled garden at Rathkenny: Lucas-Clements lore proposed that it dated to 1695, which means construction soon after Robert Clements returned from England (he had been attainted by James II’s parliament in 1689 and fled to England) and around the time he became high sheriff of County Cavan. Nothing like it survives in this part of the country, but evidently at one point it was not the only such terraced garden. In 1739 the aforementioned Rev. Henry wrote of Ballyhaise, some nine miles to the west, ‘‘This seat, for beauty and magnificence, may vie with any in Ireland. There is an ascent to it by several terraces from the river, which are adorned with ponds, jets d’eau, fruit and flowers.’ Designed for Colonel Brockhill Newburgh, probably in the third decade of the 18th century, and attributed to Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, the main house at Ballyhaise is of red brick with cut stone dressings: with later additions the building survives although the river-fronting terraced gardens are long gone (for more on Ballyhaise, see Made to Last For Ever, March 9th 2015). Then barely three miles to the east of Rathkenny is Bellamont Forest (La Belle au Bois Dormant, January 21st 2013), another red-brick and stone house almost certainly designed by Pearce, and then a few miles further north again are the remains of the former early 18th century stables at Dartrey, County Monaghan (Now Unstable, October 1st 2014), once more employing the same materials. One has the impression that even if the same architect was not involved in all these neighbouring estates, the same spirit was at work, and the same influences and tastes being shared. More research remains to be done in this area but meanwhile the terraced gardens at Rathkenny are a rare survivor from the early Georgian period. Thankfully the property’s new owner appreciates their significance and is ensuring that they will continue to offer us an insight into early 18th century horticultural design.
CO CAVAN €2 MILLION:‘I will be very sorry to go, but it will be lovely if someone nice moves in. It needs to have a family in it,’ the owner of historic Georgian mansion tells EMMA CULLINANE
AFTER SPENDING nearly 400 years in Rathkenny House, Tullyvin, Cootehill, Co Cavan, the Lucas-Clements family is selling up.
The substantial eight-bedroom Georgian house on 256 acres is for sale asking in excess of €2 million through Knight Frank.
This wasn’t the first house on the site though. That was a smaller Jacobian house (from the time of James I) on the other side of the Annalee River from the “new” house and there is still a Jacobian walled garden in the grounds, constructed in 1695.
“The story has it,” says the current owner Rosemary Lucas-Clements, “that they got fed up with the first house, set up a canon and blew it up.” Luckily, she says, they were good shots because it is not too far from the current house, built between 1760 and 1820, “and they could have hit it”.
The foundations of the old home are still there, if you dig down a bit, a task usually undertaken by dogs going about their investigations.
This four-bay Georgian house – almost in a square but with a kitchen and bedroom wing – looks like a complete composition, but there was actually a much larger wing attached to it which was taken down in the 1920s.
“There was an old girl left alone in it after her husband died,” says Ms Lucas-Clements, “and she wanted to downsize because everything was getting in a bad state and she wanted to keep the main part of the house going.”
The river runs close to the front of the house which is reached via a gravel drive.
While the house is huge, it works as a family home, a role it has played many times over the centuries. “Although it’s a big house it’s not a rambling one,” says Ms Lucas-Clements. “Every one who comes here says it has a good atmosphere. We’ve had good parties here.”
Many of these have been held in the interconnecting library and drawing room on the ground floor which is to the right of the main hall.
The house is laid out around an inner hall on the ground floor and a landing above, reached via a grand staircase passing a large window on the return.
Also on the ground floor is a study to the left of the entrance hall and, at the back, is a dining room, kitchen and utility room. Upstairs, there are eight bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There are period features throughout, including fireplaces, large sash windows and shutters, plasterwork, wooden architraves, flagstone floors and mahogany doors. The decor is in keeping with the house’s architectural style.
The reception rooms have views of the river which, the day before our conversation had yielded one of its many trout for dinner, caught by a friend. And views from all of the rooms are of the surrounding parkland and trees.
The property also includes a farm manager’s house (facing onto a courtyard), stables, a workshop, storerooms and outhouses. There is also a farmyard, with barns, milking parlour, cow houses, slatted sheds, cubicles, silage pits, an outdoor sand arena and saw mills.
Over its centuries in the house, the family has been part of the local political scene, holding offices including Mayor of Cavan.
Some of the Clements side of the family moved to Leitrim and, indeed, four of them bore the title Earl of Leitrim.
The first earl, Nathaniel Clements, was chief ranger of Phoenix Park who built the viceroy lodge, now Áras an Uactaráin.
Sadly, the third Earl let the family down for a while. A tough landlord, dubbed the Wicked Earl, he met an untimely death, when he was assassinated in 1878, along with his clerk and driver.
So this house comes with plenty of history but happiness reigns here now. “It always had a nice friendly feeling,” says Ms Lucas-Clements. “I will be very sorry to go, but it will be lovely if someone nice moves in. It needs to have a family in it.”
Close to the €2m asking price is understood to have been paid for Rathkenny House on c.252ac at Tullyvin, Co Cavan. The property was sold by private treaty in the last week.
The house and 240ac were bought by an Irish native based in Saudi Arabia. A parcel of 12ac was sold to a local person.
The property has been in the same family since 1645 and this is the first time it has ever been sold, according to Robert Ganly of selling agents, Knight Frank.
Rathkenny comprises a substantial period house on 252ac on the River Annalee. It is believed to have the earliest Jacobean walled garden and tearoom in the country, dating back to 1695.
“This was the biggest farm to come on the market in Cavan in many years and the strength of the market is demonstrated by the number of viewings, totalling 54,” said Mr Ganly.
There were three bidders for the house and lands, with the main contenders being the eventual purchaser and a customer based in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, at Clerihan, Clonmel in south Tipperary a residential holding extending to 100ac with two dwellings and two farmyards sold at auction for €965,000.
The property was initially offered in a number of lots but the primary interest was in the entire. It was bought by a local farmer for the equivalent of €9,650/ac.
Auctioneer PF Quirke described the property as a fine grass farm originally set out in two holdings.
One of the houses is in need of complete refurbishment while the other, a three-bedroom bungalow, is in relatively good repair. The two farmyards consist of a range of sheds and livestock accommodation.
Irish Historic Houses 