The Castle of Mallow was taken by the Earl of Castlehaven in 1645, and almost reduced to ruins.
In 1666 there seems to have been an attempt made to restore it. Lord Orrery, writing to the Duke of Ormond in this year, says: “This bridge is at Mallow, where there is a castle of good strength if it had a little reparation, and is one of the greatest passes and thoroughfares in this province, and if seized on by any enemy would, in effect, divide the country into two parts.”
During the scare of the French invasion the Grand Jury presented money to repair it, but the Judge seems to have reserved his decision on the matter.
Major-General Sgravenmore sent Colonel Doness to destroy the bridge and reconnoitre the castle in 1689.
Norreys was added to the family surname Jephson in 1838, and some years later Sir Denham Jephson Norreys erected a mansion in Elizabethan style close to the old fortress. Sir Bernard Burke remarks of it: “Here are mullioned windows, pointed gables, tall chimneys, and all those various intricacies of building which characterised our noblest seats in the days of the Virgin Oueen; somewhat fantastic, it is true, but picturesque in the extreme.”
The manor and castle are still in the possession of this family, Mrs. Atherton-Jephson-Norreys being the present representative.
H. F. Berry, “The Manor and Castle of Mallow,” in _Journal of Cork Archæological Society_. J. O’Flanagan, “The Blackwater in Munster.” Sir B. Burke, “The Seats and Arms of Noblemen and Gentlemen, &c.” Smith, “History of County and City of Cork.” R. Bagwell, “Ireland under the Tudors.” Parliamentary Gazetteer. H. Berry, “Manor of Mallow in the Thirteenth Century,” in _Journal of Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland_.
“Ye Geraldines! ye Geraldines! how royally ye reigned O’er Desmond broad, and rich Kildare, and English arts disdained, Your sword made knights, your banner waved, free was your bugle call, By Glyn’s green slopes, and Dingle’s tide, from Barrow’s banks to Youghal. What gorgeous shrines, what Brehon lore, what minstrel feasts there were In and around Maynooth’s strong keep and palace-tilled Adare! But not for rite or feast ye stayed, when friend or kin were pressed; And foemen fled, when “Crom a boo” bespoke your lance in rest.” THOMAS DAVIS.