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The object of this project is to provide information about historic buildings in Buttevant, County Cork, with links to GENi profiles of people associated especially with those establishments, but also those people with links to Buttevant.
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The object of this project is to provide information about historic buildings in Buttevant, County Cork, with links to GENi profiles of people associated with those establishments.
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Buttevant
Buttevant is a village and civil parish in County Cork, Republic of Ireland closely connected with the settlement of the Barrys from the 13th century., where they built their principal stronghold in North Cork..
▷ Derivation There is some debate over the name Buttevant. It is widely believed to derive
from the French phrase ‘boutez-en-avant’, said to have been the war-cry of the Norman Barry family who conquered the area in the late 12th century. The antiquarian Westropp noted in 1901 that the name ‘Boutavant’ has been applied to fortifications in France, Britain and Ireland from at least the late 12th century up to the 16th century. (Westropp 1901, 87). The historian Powicke notes that by the end of 1198
“… an advance work, called in consequence Boutavant…” had been erected on the River Seine, “…above the Isle of Andelys…” (Powicke 1961, 193-4).
The context was the struggle between King Richard of England and Philip of France for control of Normandy and the Boutavant in question was one of a number of fortifications built by Richard prior to his construction of the massive fortress of Chateau-Gaillard, one of the most impressive of the Medieval European castles. At Corfe castle in Dorset in England the name Butavant is found in several 13th century references and is believed to refer to the tower “…at the exposed angle of the west bailey…” (Colvin 1963, 619-23). One of the towers along the walls of Dublin city is named Butavant as early as c. 1250 and Buttevantes’ Tower in the sixteenth century (Thomas 1992, 83-4). It was located at the exposed north east corner before the town’s defences were extended northwards towards the Liffey. So the name appears to have the meaning of ‘push forward’ and can be seen to be applied in the sense of an advance or projecting fortification.
In the context of Buttevant therefore the building of the castle there could be seen as a ‘push forward’ into North Cork by the Barrys from their base in East Cork (centred on Castlelyons and Barryscourt). It could also be seen in the context of the immediate location of the castle, on a prominent limestone ridge jutting forward over the river. The name Buttevant is therefore more likely to derive from this source rather than from the Barry motto. It is more likely that both are derived from the same source, rather than one from the other. Ref. Buttevant History
▷ Origin. The name Buttevant is believed to be of Medieval, Norman origin, replacing the native Irish name Kilnamullagh. the Irish Place names Commission records several instances of the name Kill-na-mallach (the church of the curse) and have accepted this as the official version.
▷ Population 2011 - 945
▷ Irish grid reference R540092
▷Province Munster
▷Shire county County Cork
▷ Country Republic of Ireland
▷Elevation 300ft (100m)
▷ Postcode district
▷ Dialling code 022
▷ As Gaeilge: Cill na Mullach "Church of the Summits"
or
▷ Latin: Ecclesia Tumulorum
History
Henry III of England, by grant of 26 September 1234, conceded a market at Buttevant to David Og de Barry to be held on Sundays, and a fair on the vigil and day of St. Luke the Evangelist (17 October and 18 October), and on six subsequent days. This was done to further the economic prosperity of the borough. At the 1301 quo warranto proceedings in Cork John de Barry "claimed the basic baronial jurisdiction of gallows, infangetheof, vetitia namia and fines for shedding blood (where 'Englishmen' were involved) in his manors of Buttevant, Castlelyons, Rathbarry and Lislee".
The original centre of the town consisted of a keep situated on an elevation on the south side of the town. The Parish Church was opposite the keep, on a pre-Norman site, dedicated to St. Brigit, sister of St. Colman of Cloyne. A mill, another characteristic element of Norman settlements, was located on the river, to the north of the keep. In addition, a hospice for lepers was established about a mile to the North East outside of the town wall.
The Augustinian priories of Bridgetown (ante 1216) and Ballybeg (1229) being respectively founded by the Roches and the de Barry contiguous to the settlements of Castletownroche and Buttevant. With the rise of the new mendicant orders the Norman settlements saw the foundation of mendicant houses within the town walls as with the Franciscans in Buttevant (1251)
The burgage of Buttevant developed to the north of the keep and eventually increased in size to about 50 acres (200,000 m2) enclosed by walls for which Murage grants had been made by the crown in 1317. The native inhabitants were excluded from residence within the walled area and confined to a quarter of their own to the north west of the walled town.
A bridge,over the river Awbeg awas built round 1250 and is still in existance.
In 1317, the 11th. of Edward II of England, John fitz David de Barry requested and obtained from the exchequer a grant of £105 for the commonality and town of Buttevant for its walling. A further grant was made on 6 August 1375, the 49th. of Edward III, to the provost and commonality of the town together with the customs of its North Gate.
The Second Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, were stationed in the town from 14 September 1906 to 16 October 1908.
There are six castles or towers within the parish of Buttevant. Three are in Buttevant town. Lombard's Castle. the Barry (or Buttevant) castle, and the Desmond Tower. There are also castles at Lisgriffin, Templeconnell and Ballinguile. All these castles were built after the Normans came, from c. 1200 A.D.. No castle was built after Cromwell had reduced castles to rubble in 1650. Only Buttevant castle has been extensively repaired, in about 1830. when Sir John Anderson bought it from the last Earl of Barrymore and was living there.
Historic Buildings in the area
Names with Bold links are to Geni profiles or projects. Other links take you to external biographical web pages.
● Ballinguile Castle Buttevant - What remains now is the original castle, but the ruins of buildings which succeeded it built in or out of the older castle of the Stapletons soon after the reign of King John - Say in 1220, at the beginning of the long reign of King Henry III. During the 1640-1650 Confederation of Kilkenny wars, it was claimed by Sir Philip Percival (of Churchtown). In 1644, the Irish, including Staleton and Barrys, took the castle of Ballinguile from Sir Percival. Under the restored Stuarts the Freemans took it over and probably erected the building whose shattered pillars can be seen in a field to the west of the Cork Dublin railroad. Blue gates lead to the present ruin. The gaunt pillars and walls are now slender and the wide windows certainty suggest a building no earlier than the late 17th century or early 18th century. There is an enormous cleft down one entire wall. There is a lofty chimney shaft on the north wall and a trace of what might have been a circular stairs with garderobe. There is no present indication of fortification. There is a fosse between it and the railways as well as a line of trees.
● Ballybeg Castle
Ballybeg Abbey
● Ballybeg Priory church of the Augustinians Friary of Baltybeg. In 1229 Philip de Barry endowed the priory of Ballybeg for regular canons following the rule of St. Augustine and in remembrance of his endowment his equestrian statue in brass was erected in the church. Philip's grandson David enlarged the revenues of this priory, the same David who endowed the Franciscan friary in the neighbouring city of Buttevant.
● 
Buttevant Abbey officially came into existence between the years 1200-1237. By charter William de Barry gained procession of in and around the years 1206-1225. King John was ruler in England at this time. The de Barrys or Barrys colonised a great part of Southern and Eastern Cork. The Barrys in Buttevant set about founding religious orders which they hoped would have a calming influence. The first of the religious orders to take up residence in Buttevant was the Augustinians, and a large abbey was built in Buttevant nearly half a mile from the modem-day town to accommodate this order. In AD 1229 this abbey was erected by Robert de Barry, and dedicated to St. Thomas. The second order to come to Buttevant was the Franciscans and an abbey was also built for them in 1251. The ruins of this Abbey can be seen in Buttevant town today. It provided the core subject of this chapter.
● 
Buttevant Castle aka Barry - built by the Barrys around 1200. Three baronies were granted to the Barry following the Norman Invasion, those of Killede, Olethan and Muscraighedunegan. They were seized and held by Ralph FitzStephen for a short time. But Raymond Le Gros, Robert FitzStephen and Philip Barry (who came to Ireland in 1185) recovered the lands and gave them to the rightful owner, Philip Barry. This grant was confirmed to Philip's son, William, in a grant from King John, dated 24 February, 1206. The lands around Kilnamullack had been held by the Dunegans prior to the Norman invasion. They well may have had an earthen rath or lios at or near where the Barrys built their castle. Almost certainly the mill and weir had been in existence for some hundreds of years before the Normans came. A site where the castle commanded the mill had advantages. The swift-flowing Awbeg river below the weir offered defensive protection on one site; it also assured the water supply of the castle. So, there Is nothing surprising at the selection of the site where the Barry Castle was built and where Buttevant Castle now stands. For a long time, the head of the Barry clan lived at Buttevant, which became a very Important town. In 1317 (11th. of Edward II), the English Parliament voted £150 (± £150,00 todays) to enclose the town with a strong wall. In 1461, Morrogh O'Brien over-ran Munster, and damaged or took the town and castle of Buttevant. In 1555 Lord Barry was created Viscount Buttevant. Two small tales are of Interest. It is said that a bugler or drummer of the castle betrayed it to the besieger: when the castle was taken, the bugler or drummer was executed by the victor, who said "Thus may all traitors perish." At night, the head still rolls down the stairs, crying "betrayed, betrayed", and a blood-stain on the stairs cannot be washed away. In some accounts, the betrayal and execution are attributed to an early Norman Barry attacking the Celtic Donegan; It is impossible that there was a pre- Norman stone castle at Buttevant. The Incident might be based on the capture of the Castle by Ireton or one of his lieutenants In 1650/1651. Another tale is that underground passages connect the Barry castle with Ballybeg Priory; this is most unlikely as tunnelling through some 1.000 yards of hard limestone rock would be a major undertaking. Another version of the tale says that the underground passage connects the castle with Buttevant Friary, and possibly with the old convent located between the castle and the Friary. This is more probable, and there are tales of how an early parish priest of Buttevant sealed off a passage opening out towards the castle from the Friary.
Buttevant Castle (from Abandoned Mansions of Ireland by Tarquin Blake). Medieval stonework from 1200 and fortifications. Viscount Buttevant refused to surrender to the English - eventually, surprised and captured by David du Barry who slaughtered the inmates, via treachery (the betrayed man is said to haunt the area). In 1206 KIng John rewarded with titles and land. 1568, the castle was taken by Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sydney, but recaptured by de Barry, until early 19thC. Sold to Sir John Anderson, founder of the town of Fermoy, He extended the castle - it was sold again to Viscount Donerdile, Very broken passageways led up to the castle interior. It was resold - a big flour mill attached and basement - Sir John Anderson invented a steam engine there. He died 1886. resold 1901 (Nangle), then dismantled, Fire: 1936. last sold 1993. Now abandoned. from (Pauline Battigelli)
○ Raymond FitzGerald, Constable of Leinster (1145-1192)
○ Raymond Fitzwalter FitzGerald (Le Gras-Grace), Constable of Leinster (1100-1188)
● Desmond Tower Buttevant - This is incorporated into the present Roman Catholic parish church. It was built by the Earl of Desmond. He retired there. It has several names in the records - Cullin (according to Smith); "Caisland Caomhin" (Brash, 1852) and "Killeen Castle" Field Book of 1839).
● Franciscan friary
● Lisgriffin Castle - It Is reasonably certain that the castle was built by Garret Barry about 1605-1610. There are the usual pardons to those who held Lisgriffin Castle - to Richard James Barry, 15 May. 1573; to John FitzRichard Barrie of Lisgriffin, Katherine Skollie. his wife. Philip Fitzjohn Barrie, of same. A.D. 1600. etc. In 1580. the Royalist army, marching from Limerick to Dingle, encamped at Lisgriffin on 12 June, 1580. By deeds dated 6 June, 1619. Redmond Fitzjohn Barry of Lisgriffin was granted extensive lands which were formed into the "Manor of Lisgriffin" by James I. However, by 1657, Lisgriffin Castle had become the property of the Grove family of Cahirduggan. In 1911, Col. Grove-White had, with permission, removed a fine limestone mantlepiece from the top floor of Lisgriffln Castle, and installed it in his home. Only the west wall of the castle remains. Jeremiah Healy, then of the creamery of Lisgriffln told Grove-White that the other walls fell on 2 March 1914 without showing any previous damage, and on an evening which was absolutely calm. The chimney on the north wall had blown down in 1900. There had been a spanking hole on the front wall.
● Lombards Castle Buttevant - This was more the substantial town house of a family of merchants of Italian origin, engaged in trade and banking. They collected monies due to the Pope; they ran the wool trade. The name Lombard is well-known in the Buttevant area from the earliest Norman times. It was seized during the mid- 17th century troubles. On 28th. Sept.. 1669, Castle Lombard, its two-acre garden, its one-acre orchard and two acres in Gortine-spunk, was granted by Charles II to Col. John Gifford. It was used as a school for a considerable time, under a legacy from a wealthy widow, Anne Muscham; this lasted to around 1818.
● 
Templeconnell Castle Taken over by the Percivals in 1656, this four storey tower originally belonged to the Magners. Stairs rise from the entrance in the south wall to the SW corner, doubling back over a chamber with a murder hole. Just fragments remain of a fifth storey. A castle of some sorts may have been there earlier, for a Pardon of Elizabeth to Edmund Maugner, of Templeconnolly is dated 6 May, 1573. By 1622, the estate of Templeconila was in the possession of Edward Stapleton, alias Mclgile. In 1639 It was purchased by Sir Philip Percival; it became a Perclval stronghold during the 1640-1650 wars. On about 16 Sept., 1643, it was seized from Sir Percival by Edward Maugner, Stapleton and others, and declared the possession of Thomas Barry of Buttevant. By 1713, it was rented from the Percivals by Richard Freeman of Ballinguile.
References and Sources
• WIKI - list of Historic Houses in the Republic of Ireland
• WIKI - List of Historical Abbeys, Castles and Monuments in Ireland
• [http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/
Buildings of Ireland]
• Irish Central - Top 10 historical sites to visit in Ireland
• WIKI - Architecture of Ireland
• WIKI List of Castle in the Republic of Ireland
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