BALLINACARRIGA, KILWORTH: A HOUSE, A FAMILY, A VILLAGE

By Noel Howard, published by Fermoy Print & Design

The house in question was built around 1730 by Cornelius Pyne whose family had strong ecclesiastical connections. Since the early 1850s and except for ten years, 1925-35, the house has been occupied by the Corban-Lucas family. This book contextualises the family, social, political and military life of the house, its occupants, their neighbours and the locality.

Despite the fact that many similar houses in the general area experienced looting and destruction, particularly during the years 1919-23, Ballinacarriga did not suffer a similar fate, although it had strong associations with the British military. Having researched it and considered the question at length, a plausible and possible reason for the house’s survival is put forward by the author.