Kill-St-Ann South Fortified House
OS 45:1:5;
OD 100-150ft. East county Cork.
The fortified house is situated in pasture land on a low
limestone outcrop. The building survives in two sections. To the south are the remains a medieval structure
incorporated and remodelled as part of the fortified house complex. About 22m to the north are the standing
remains of the main house. This main structure is made up of a rectangular block (internal. 13m east-west
and 5m north-south). The west wall was built on top of an earlier foundations c. 6m west of the
south-east of a south projecting rectangular. The main rectangular block missing much its east wall, over
half of its south wall and most of the south and west walls have fallen. The main block is three storeys
high with an attic and a basement at its east-end end. The main block is dominated by three large and imposing
chimney stacks; two in the north wall and one on the west gable dividing wall. The stacks on the north
wall project on outer face for full length of the wall. The window opes are very poorly preserved, they were enlarged to fit
sash windows and they are all missing their light frames. Fireplaces occur at each floor level all in a
poorly preserved state. There is a rock cut drain in north-west corner, this was possibly an inlet for an aqueduct (Holmes
1987, 180). On the north side of the house there is a stone faced terrace and may be the possibly
remains of a medieval or artillery defence. A rectangular tower (internal. 4m north-south and 2.5m east-west)
is situated about 9m to the north-west of the main block it is not defensive and was a possible ornamental garden tower attached
to the house. Sections of a north-south wall (L c. 40m) and a very short return to east survives
27m directly south of the southwest corner of the main block. This may have been part of the bawn wall
as there are some remains a stairs treads on its inner face. According
to Holmes (1987, 180-1): Lord Barrymore has a fine old mansion built on the foundations
of O’Lehan’s castle; it is a ponderous stately edifice, but going fast to decay, owing to the proprietor living
mostly in England. There is a very curious aqueduct which conveys water from the river, contrived by a
common miller, at a trifling expence, after the exertions of a celebrated artist from England had failed in bringing the water
by another course. The gardens are extensive and very beautiful, within which is a pleasant canal; the
river Bride meanders through the deer park, producing many agreeable views. In throwing down some old walls of Castle Lehan,
an ancient chimney-piece was found with this inscription on it: Lehan O’Cullane hoc fecit, mciiii. The house was built by Lord Barrymore c.1621, when he married Alice Boyle, daughter of the Earl of Cork.
;-)
Field Walking Photography
The Fortified House - Some window styles
