Clonmoyle House

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 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 were situated along the valley of the River Lee and its tributaries.

Map of Clonmoyle House, Clonmoyle, Coachford, Co. Cork, Ireland

The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork describes it 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. Lewis (1837) describes the parish of Aghabologue as containing numerous large and elegant houses, to include 'Clonmoyle, the seat of C. Colthurst, Esq.' Agriculture was said to have locally improved by the exertions of Mr. 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 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, to include 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 exploits were said to include a local furze mill for the fattening of pigs. Leader possessed some 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 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.