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BALLYANNON CASTLE
Ballyannon CastleThe decaying remains of Ballyannon Castle can be located in a small curving sea inlet at the base of a little headland in the South-Eastern part of the parish.
Dr. Caulfield says that “sir John Broderick got a grant of lands in Co. Cork in1653. he was the grandson of William Broderick of London. One of the four spies sent over to Ireland by Cromwell to give him intelligence of matters there was Capt. St. John Broderick. He was the younger brother of Sir Alan Broderick, Surveyor General of Ireland and father of the first Viscount Midleton. His residence was Ballyannon Castle, where beside castle was also a dwelling house.

Alan Broderick, was in turn, Solicitor-General, Attorney General, Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. In 1715 he was created Baron Broderick of Midleton.

John Windele, the Cork antiquarian. Who died in 186+5, wrote: - “ A short walk by a by-road brought us in view of the tall antique beeches that crest the hill of Ballyannon. Deep in the hollow at its foot we could see the loft pillar-like chimneys of the old house of the Broderick; high and solid outrageous walls in the strong fences of its old pleasure grounds and gardens soon attracted our notice, the monuments not of a family decay, but of its emigration or prolonged absenteeism”.

Rear of Ballyannon Castle

The walls only of the old mansion of the Brodericks remain untenanted, unroofed and unfloored. The dwelling is situated on the verge of the strand at the bottom of a gentle acclivity where, by the exterior ground, reaches up several feet of the Southern wall. The form is an oblong with two flanking round towers, one at the north-west angle, the other at the south-east. The building is three stories in height. The chimneys are capacious and massive, but their transoms have been removed. The oblong portion is stated to have been built before the Brodericks got possession, and was inhabited by a minister.

Tradition says that the first Broderick got possession from Cromwell, that he was a pedlar and purchased a debenture from a misled trooper. It was he who built the flanking towers.

Early Days of the village - Early Roads in Carrig - Pastimes and Customs
The Norman period to Reformation - The Fenians - Carrigtwohill Caves - Ryan and Ahern
Churches - Ballyannon Castle - Barryscourt Castle - The By-Pass
The Boston Band/Old Fair - Tour De France - Ploughing Championships