Ballysaggartmore Towers

Ballysaggartmore Towers are two ornate entrance lodges (one also acts as a bridge) that are situated on the former Ballysaggartmore Demesne approx 2.5 kilometres from the town of Lismore in County Waterford, Ireland. The structures are considered architectural "follies".

Ballysaggartmore Towers
Top: Main entrance gate and attached flanking gate lodges.[1]
Bottom: Road bridge (crossing a ravine) with attached lodges.[2]
LocationBallysaggartmore, Lismore, County Waterford.
Coordinates52°08′52″N 07°57′32″W
Built19th century
Built forArthur Keily-Ussher
ArchitectJohn Smyth
Architectural style(s)Gothic
Ballysaggartmore Towers is located in Ireland
Ballysaggartmore Towers
Location of Ballysaggartmore Towers in Ireland

Origins

They were constructed for an Anglo Irish Landlord, Arthur Keily-Ussher no later than 1834. He held an estate of approximately 8000 acres, the majority of which was rented to tenant farmers but he retained approximately 1000 acres as a personal demesne. The lodges were constructed on the main avenue leading to the family's residence; Ballysaggartmore House. The house itself was large but of a very plain design, which was in obvious contrast to the lodges. An account from 1834 indicates that a main house predated the lodges. This account also reports that they were built from designs by the head gardener, John Smyth, and that the main entrance gates were forged locally for the sum of about £150.[3][4]

Folklore and folly

Local lore suggests that the grand entrance lodges were built as a prelude to an extravagant mansion that Keily-Ussher intended to build but never did as he ultimately ran out of funds due of their construction, and that his building pursuits were spurred on by his jealous wife who was envious of her sister in-law who lived at the stately Strancally Castle.[5] However no contemporary account exists from the period.

Legacy

Controversy surrounds Arthur Keily-Ussher. He has been accused of being a harsh landlord and evicting tenants who were unable to pay their rents during the Great Famine (1845-1849) and an attempt was made on his life during the period.[6]

Post Keily-Ussher

Keily-Ussher died c.1862 and the estate was sold by a liquidator. The house, gardens and some of the lands were purchased by the Woodroofe family and these were later owned by a family named Anson.[6] The house was destroyed by arson attack during the Civil War period and the ruined stone fabric was removed in the mid 20th century. One of the lodges was still in use as a private residence in the 1970s.[5]

Modern era

The lodges are un-roofed but extant and are surrounded by forested land. A walking trail encompassing them has been developed, and there is a picnic and parking area nearby.

References
  1. "Ballysaggartmore House, Barranamanoge, Waterford (22902013)". Buildings of Ireland. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  2. "Ballysaggartmore House, Knocknagappul (Cos. By.), Waterford (22902014)". Buildings of Ireland. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  3. Hayden, E. (18 December 1834). "Ballysaggartmore Castle Near Lismore". Dublin Penny Journal. Dublin.
  4. "Architects: Smyth, John". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  5. Bence-Jones, Mark; Burke's Guide to Country Houses: Ireland. Volume 1 of Burke's and Savills Guide to Country Houses, Burke's Peerage, 1978.
  6. "Ballysaggart Estate: Eviction, Famine and Conspiracy" (PDF). Decies; Old Waterford Society. xxvii (Autumn): 4–12. 1984. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
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