Colthurst's Bridge

The Trafalgar Monument is an ornamental tower (or folly) in Carrignamuck townland, 2.8 km (1.7 mi) north of Coachford village, County Cork, Ireland. It was built by Nicholas Colthurst, who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and was a midshipman aboard HMS Prince during the Battle of Trafalgar. Colthurst continued to serve in the Royal Navy until 1841, retiring with the rank of commander. Parliamentary returns give his date of entry into the Royal Navy as 14 April 1797, promotion to lieutenant followed on 19 September 1806, and his actual date of commission as a retired commander is given as 29 January 1841.This tower is depicted as a rectangular structure in the 1841 and 1901 surveyed OS maps. The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 describes it as a plain, ivy-covered, rectangular structure, which once appeared to have a stone roof. It goes on to state that it was erected by 'Capt. Colthurst of the British Navy' to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork describes it as a mid/late nineteenth century roofless square tower, one storey in height, with a high parapet wall, located on a man-made mound, and overlooking both the Dripsey River and Clonmoyle House. The tower is said to contain tall stone-arched windows and a fireplace. Local information erroneously asserts that it was built to commemorate the death of a Colthurst at the Battle of Trafalgar.The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes it as a ruinous square-plan folly tower, built c.1820, with rubble stone walls and an ogee-headed opening to each elevation. An entry also erroneously states that it was built by the Colthurst family to commemorate the death of a family member at the Battle of Trafalgar.The tower is not accessible to the public and is located on private property.

Clonmoyle House was a country house in the townland of Clonmoyle East, situated 3.9 km (2.4 mi) south-east of Aghabullogue village and 3.4 km (2.1 mi) north-east of Coachford village. The house and demesne was one of several eighteenth and nineteenth century estates built in mid-Cork along the valley of the River Lee and its tributaries.The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork (1997) describes Clonmoyle House as an abandoned two-storey country house, depicted as rectangular on the 1841 surveyed OS map, but later remodelled and enlarged by the addition of bows to side elevations and rear hipped-roof projections. An entrance front existed of three bays, with side-lights and sash windows. A roofless farm building was located to the north-west.Clonmoyle House was once a Colthurst family residence. In A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (Lewis, 1837) the parish of Aghabologue is described as containing numerous "large and elegant houses", including "Clonmoyle, the seat of C. Colthurst, Esq". Agriculture was said to have locally improved by the exertions of Colthurst and other proprietors, who introduced a system of irrigation, drainage, and a culture of green crops. The tithe applotment book for the townland of Clonmoyle East records "Charles Colthurst, Esq." as occupying 36 acres. Colthurst was the son of John Colthurst and Jane Bowen. The Ordnance Survey name book of c. 1840 refers to a demesne on the southern side of Clonmoyle East, containing "Clonmoyle House and Cottage, interspersed with trees, some plantation and ornamental ground". It is described as a fine house with good "offices", being the residence of Chas. Colthurst Esq., and with the River Dripsey bounding the property to the east and south. Clonmoyle House and its demesne are depicted on the 1841 surveyed OS Map, including a fish pond, weir, waterfall and wooden bridge.By the mid-nineteenth century, the Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation) records Jonathan Bruce as occupier of Clonmoyle, comprising c. 37 acres and described as a "house, offices, gate lodge and land", with the lessor being Charles Colthurst. During the second half of the nineteenth century, the house was occupied by Henry Leader, builder of nearby Leader's Aqueduct, and whose businesses were said to include a local furze mill for the fattening of pigs. Leader possessed approximately 2418 acres in County Cork during the 1870s. The 1901 surveyed OS Map depicts a remodelled Clonmoyle House and surrounding demesne, to include a gate lodge, pond and boat house.The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 confirms Clonmoyle House as the residence of a Mrs Young, who "also owned nearby Clonmoyle Flour Mill". The house was thought to have been erected some 150 years previously. It was described as having an "excellently constructed interior, wide staircase and with the moulding of its doors and window shutters" being a noticeable feature.Today, the house is in a ruinous condition and its surroundings neglected. The former fish pond and features appear infilled and the southern end is occupied by now vacant industrial premises and surrounds.

Clonmoyle Mill was a watermill in the townland of Clonmoyle East, situated 4 km (2.5 mi) south-east of Aghabullogue village and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north-east of Coachford village. The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork (1997) describes it as a (now roofless and without floors) mid to late nineteenth century corn mill, rectangular, four-storey, with a three bay entrance front, and located on the western bank of the Dripsey River. Access to the third floor of the mill was gained from a 'modernized residential house' via a stone platform and cement bridge. A wheel pit housed a cast-iron suspension water wheel with a diameter of 4.9 metres, and inscribed 'J. Steel and Sons, Vulcan Foundry, Cork'. A pinion-wheel, via a pit-wheel within the mill, powered two line shafts, which in turn powered two pairs of French burr millstones on the first floor. A similar gable-ended structure was attached to the mill north wall, with intact roof and floors, but in poor condition. Foundation blocks for machinery remained on the ground floor, but all gearing and machinery had been removed, with a Crossley Engine lying discarded to the north.Clonmoyle Mill is not depicted on the 1841 surveyed OS Map, nor mentioned in Ordnance Survey name books, and would appear to be of later construction. It exists by the mid-nineteenth century, as the Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation) records a Hamilton as occupier of a 'Flour Mill' in Clonmoyle, with the buildings valued at £34, and the Lessor being Jonathan Bruce. This is the same Jonathan Bruce who was then occupier of nearby Clonmoyle House, leased from Charles Colthurst. On the 1901 surveyed OS Map, it is depicted as 'Clonmoyle Mill (Corn)', with a nearby footbridge, sluice to the Dripsey River and mill race originating to the north near Luskin's Bridge.The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 confirms Clonmoyle House as the residence of Mrs Young, who also 'owned nearby Clonmoyle Flour Mills'. A separate survey entry is contained for Clonmoyle Flour Mills, giving the company name of 'John Young and Sons Limited, Clonmoyle, Coachford', which company appears to exist to this day. The survey states that numerous mills were erected around the Great Famine (Ireland) period to meet increased demand for the processing of Indian meal and it was thought Clonmoyle Mill was built for this reason as between 1847 and 1854. The exact year of construction was uncertain, but a grinding stone, said to be a replacement from another mill, bore the date 1856. Clonmoyle Mill was said to have first been operated by 'Charles Colthurst of Ballyvourney' and that methods introduced by him were still followed in 1944, and the mill independently operated, some ninety years later. Wheat was kiln dried in the loft, heated through a perforated floor, and then ground into flour by stone rollers driven from the mill wheel. The older milling method employed was said to be preferred. Oats and barley were also ground for the feeding of cattle, pigs and poultry. Visitors were admitted to the mill, free of charge, but at their own risk.O'Donoghue (1986) refers to 'flour mills' located at the eastern side of Clonmoyle East, which were by then disused. Today, Clonmoyle Mill is in a ruinous condition and its surroundings neglected.

Cottage House is a country house in the townland of Clonmoyle East, situated 3.1 km (1.9 mi) south-east of Aghabullogue village and 4.4 km (2.7 mi) north of Coachford village. The house and demesne is one of many such houses situated along the valley of the River Lee and its tributaries.Cottage House was once a Pyne family residence. In A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) the entry for the parish of Aghabologue is listed as containing "numerous large and elegant houses", including "the Cottage, of J. Pyne, Esq". The tithe applotment book for the townland of Clonmoyle East records 'John Pyne, Esq.' as occupying 127 acres.The Landed Estates Database advises that Cottage House was originally a Vize residence, and later occupied by the Pyne family. Following the death of John Pyne in 1837, the property was left to his nephew, Reverend John Paul Lawless, "who took the name and arms of Pyne".According to the Ordnance Survey name book of c. 1840, the townland was the property of Rev. J.L. Pyne and Molly Davis, principally being "excellent ground under cultivation", with "some bog and furze running through it". Cottage House was described as a "fine house with good offices attached", built by Rev. John Lawless Pine of Cloyne, and at the time being the residence of Richard Ellard, Esq. A "good deal" of ornamental ground was said to surround it.By the mid-nineteenth century, the Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation) records Rev. John Lawless Pine as immediate lessor of the property, which was then unoccupied, and valued at approximately £17. Pyne was also recorded as the occupier of approximately 1 acre of "plantation".Today it remains a private residence, and is not accessible to the public.

Luskin's Bridge is situated 3.8 km (2.4 mi) north-east of Coachford village, County Cork, Ireland, 3.6 km (2.2 mi) south-east of Aghabullogue village, and is depicted on both the 1841 and 1901 surveyed OS maps. It is located at the meeting point of Clonmoyle East townland (which lies within the civil parish and Catholic parish of Aghabullogue) with Kilcolman and Knockanenagark townlands (which both lie within the civil parish of Magourney and Catholic parish of Aghabullogue). In the Ordnance Survey name book (c. 1840), it is named 'Lurkan's Bridge', described as having three arches and on the road from Macroom to Mallow, with a man named Lurkan said to have previously lived in proximity to it. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes it as a double-arched bridge, built c. 1800, and spanning the Dripsey River. A single-span feeder arch is located on the western side. It also has rubble stone v-cutwaters on its north and south elevations, and rubble stone parapet walls with concrete capping. An upstream weir and additional arch were likely built to accommodate a mill race feeding Clonmoyle Mill to the south. The weir and mill race are both depicted on the 1901 surveyed OS Map. Many surviving bridges in mid-Cork are originally constructed of stone, arched in shape, and late eighteenth or early nineteenth century in date.

Dripsey Castle Bridge is situated 1.34 km (0.83 mi) north-west of Dripsey village and derives its name from nearby Dripsey Castle. Depicted on both the 1841 and 1901 surveyed OS maps, it spans a section of the Delehinagh River. The bridge is located at the meeting point of Carrignamuck and Meeshal townlands, and lies within the civil parish of Magourney and Catholic parish of Aghabullogue. In the Ordnance Survey name book of c. 1840, it is referred to as a small stone bridge, one-eight of a mile to the south-west of Hayfield House. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes it as a triple-arch humpback road bridge built c. 1780. It has rubble stone walls, concrete capping to the parapet, arches with dressed stone voussoirs, and v-shaped cutwaters on its east and west elevations.

Carrignamuck (from Irish Carraig na Muc 'Rock of the pigs') is a townland within the civil parish of Magourney and catholic parish of Aghabullogue, County Cork, Ireland. It is 363.76 acres in size, situate north-east of Coachford village, and north-west of Dripsey village. One of the earliest references to Carrignamuck is contained within an Elizabethan fiant of 1573, when a pardon was granted to Donald m'Teig M'Cartie of Carignymucke. This is likely to have been Donyll McTeige MacCarthy (tanist of Muskerry and brother of Sir Cormac McTeige MacCarthy of Blarney Castle) who resided at Carrignamuck Tower House. In a sketch map dated c. 1590 and titled the description of Muskery, the area is described as Carrigomuck. The OS name book (c. 1840), in addition to mentioning the 'ruins, house and demesne of Dripsey Castle' describes Carraig na Muc as 'bounded on the north and east by the Dripsey River, on the south by Kilgobinet and Dereen townlands and in the Barony of East Muskerry', and mainly being 'under cultivation'. The Down Survey Maps (1656-8) refer to it as Carrickmuck (Barony of Muskerry Map) and Carrignemucke (Parish Map). The accompanying terrier states that 'on Carrignamucke stands a Castle and a Mill' naming the proprietor as Cormack McCallaghane Carthy who held 574 acres. Smith in 1774 refers to 'the castle of Carignamuck'.By the early nineteenth century, the townland was commonly named as Carrignamuck, with Lewis in 1837 referring to 'the ancient castle of Carrignamuck' and both the Ordnance Survey name book (c. 1840) and the OS 1842 surveyed map use the same name. The majority of sources, such as O'Murchú (1991) contend Carrignamuck derives from Carraig na Muc meaning 'rock of the pigs'. O'Donoghue (1986) holds Carrig na Muc as deriving its name 'from a pass in the nearby Dripsey River where it was customary to kill pigs which provided supplies of bacon for the castle ... while the Lord of Muskerry lived at Blarney, his Tanist always held Carrignamuck'. Another version is that 'the proper name of Carrignamuck was Carrigcormac ... and that Carrignamuck Tower House was so called after Cormac Laidher McCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle'. Milner (1975) also subscribes to this alternative view.

Clontead More House is a country house in the townland of Clontead More, situated 2.3 km (1.4 mi) north-east of Coachford village. Building c. 1840, it is one of a number of such estate houses situated along the valley of the River Lee and its tributaries.Clontead More House is listed by Cork County Council on the Record of Protected Structures. It was also surveyed by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which describes it as a detached three-bay, two-storey house, built c. 1840, having a front porch, two-storey extension on the southern side, and u-plan hipped slate roof with rendered chimney stacks. Two-storey outbuildings are arranged around a rear courtyard, one of which is a former barn with stone steps leading to its western elevation. To the south-east is the remains of a red-brick walled garden. Square-profile entrance gate piers adjoin the roadway. Set within its own grounds, the timber sliding sash windows and extensive range of outbuildings add context to its setting.The property was constructed after 1840. It is not depicted on the 1842 surveyed OS map, which was also used during the mid-nineteenth century Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation). The Connacht and Munster Landed Estates Database states that it was 'built after the publication of the first edition Ordnance Survey map'., and the 1901 surveyed OS map depicts the property, but does not name it.It was once the residence of the Gillman family. The Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation) records Herbert Gillman as occupying c. 86 acres, consisting of a 'house, offices and land'. The buildings were valued at c. £14, the land at c. £50, and the immediate lessor was Edward Murphy. Gillman is interred in the chancel of Magourney Church, Coachford.The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 refers to the property as 'Clontead House, Peake' and the former residence of Herbert Webb Gillman. He is described as having been a Barrister-at-law, member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Council member of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS) and 'specialised in castles around the countryside'. Gillman was one of the early members of CHAS and is interred in the apse of Magourney Church.Today, Clontead More House remains a private residence, and is not accessible to the public.

Leader's Aqueduct is situated 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Aghabullogue village, and 4.3 km (2.7 mi) north of Coachford village. It is located at the meeting point of the townlands of Clonmoyle East (which lies within the civil parish and Catholic parish of Aghabullogue) and Knockanenagark (which lies within the civil parish of Magourney and Catholic parish of Aghabullogue). The aqueduct was constructed by Henry Leader of nearby Clonmoyle House, with the intention of conveying water, for irrigation purposes, over a glen and the Dripsey River, to the Clonmoyle area. The venture was ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the structure becoming known as 'Leader's Folly'.The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 states that it consisted of twelve piers, standing in line across a deep valley, the highest being 85 feet in height, and with some piers having since been dismantled for building material. The piers were said to have been erected c. 1860 to support a water chute, with water being piped for some 2 miles, and fed into the chute. The aqueduct was said to have carried water but once. The survey goes on to state that Leader was a philanthropic individual, whose experiments were often mainly intended to provide employment locally. Having been dissatisfied with progress, he is said to have engaged direct labour, employing local labourers and boys. One of these youths, disguised as an adult, was said to have received full pay, leading to other youths subsequently acting likewise and receiving full pay. This particular scheme and others were said to have been financed by Leader mortgaging his property, and that the Bank were the loser after his death, following discovery of imperfect title.Milner (1975) advises that the aqueduct was not used. The reality is that it was operational, but not satisfactorily for the purposes intended. By the early twentieth century, the structure was depicted as an 'Aqueduct (in ruins)'.

Dripsey Castle is a country house in the townland of Carrignamuck, situated 3.3 km (2.1 mi) north-east of Coachford village and 2.5 km (1.6 mi) north-west of Dripsey village. The house and demesne were dominant features in the rural landscape of Ireland, throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Location often reflected the distribution of better land, and this is evidenced in mid-Cork, where many of these houses are situated along the valley of the River Lee and its tributaries.The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes it as a detached, seven-bay, three-storey country house, built c. 1740, and having a central pedimented three-bay breakfront, a canted bay window on its southern side, and a three-bay, two-storey, flat-roofed wing on its northern side with recent extension. A farm complex of single and double-storey buildings lies to the west, having a central pedimented breakfront which reflects the design of the main house. Building continuity is evident, from the eighteenth century to the later north-wing addition of the twentieth century. Historic features include timber sash windows, a Venetian window in the breakfront, and a timber-panelled door. Dripsey Castle forms part of a larger group of demesne structures along the Dripsey River. The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork describes the house as being of late-eighteenth-century appearance, with the central door approached by a flight of stone steps.Dripsey Castle originally dates from the 15th century, when it was commissioned by Cormac McTeige MacCarthy, 9th Lord of Muskerry, who also built Blarney and Kilcrea Castles. It was once the residence of the Colthurst family. Lewis (1837) describes it as 'Dripsey House, the residence of J.H. Colthurst, Esq'. The Ordnance Survey name book (c. 1840) refers both to the 'house and demesne' of Dripsey Castle as a gentleman's seat and to John Henry Colthurst, Esq. The mid-nineteenth-century Primary Valuation of Ireland (Griffith's Valuation) records John H. Colthurst as occupying c. 194 acres in Carrignamuck townland, consisting of a 'house, offices, and land', with the lessor being Margaret Colthurst.Descendants of the Colthurst family occupied Dripsey Castle from the late eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. John Colthurst of Dripsey Castle married Jane Bowen of Oak Grove, Carrigadrohid, Cork. A grandson of theirs, John Henry, resided at Dripsey Castle and another, George, at Carhue House. Their granddaughter Peggy married Alfred Greer and they were residing at Dripsey Castle during the 1870s, with Greer having purchased part of the Dripsey estate, advertised for sale in October 1851, and comprising over 1900 acres. Their daughter Georgina succeeded to Dripsey Castle, and in 1878 married Robert Walter Travers Bowen, who took the additional name of Colthurst in 1882. It was their son, Captain John Bowen-Colthurst, who ordered the shooting of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington in 1916. He was court-martialled, but successfully pleaded insanity. The family were subsequently boycotted, and ultimately left Dripsey Castle. The O'Shaughnessy family bought the castle in 1922. It was sold in 2015 for €2m to 'an overseas buyer'.The Irish Tourist Association survey of 1944 held Dripsey Castle to be the principal residence in the parish, and built c. 1746 by the Colthurst family. Within the drawing-room was a carved marble mantlepiece, and in the breakfast room a bookcase said to be made from timber originating in Carrigadrohid Castle.At the entrance gate is a detached, single-storey gate lodge, built c. 1850, and a circular ornamental tower (folly) built c. 1840 having a crenellated parapet and rubble stone walls. Within a wood a short distance to the south is a square tower of roughly same date as the house.Dripsey Castle remains a private residence, and is not accessible to the public, but its gardens are sometimes used for local events.

Carrignamuck Tower House, located in Carrignamuck townland, is a 15th century tower house located 2.8 km (1.7 mi) north of Coachford village and 2 km (1.2 mi) north-west of Dripsey village. It is also sometimes known as 'Dripsey Castle', a name latterly attributed to the 18th century house, Dripsey Castle, built nearby.

Ballinadihy Bridge is a bridge situated 2 km (1.2 mi) south-east of Aghabullogue village in County Cork, Ireland. It is 4.2 km (2.6 mi) north of Coachford village, and is depicted on both the 1841 and 1901 surveyed OS maps. The bridge is located at the meeting point of the townlands of Clonmoyle West and Peake, and lies within the civil parish of Aghabullogue. The Ordnance Survey name book (c. 1840), refers to it as 'Ballinadighey Bridge'. In the Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, it is described as a road bridge over the Delehinagh River, with two semi-circular arches, roughly cut voussoirs, a pointed breakwater, and overflow channel to the south-west. Many of the surviving bridges in mid-Cork were originally constructed of stone, arched in shape, and late eighteenth or early nineteenth century in date.O'Donoghue (1986) refers to Ballinadihy Bridge as being located at the southern end of Clonmoyle West townland, and holds the Irish version of Ballinadihy as Béal Áth na Daibhche, meaning 'ford mouth of the hollow'.