Ballinacarriga Castle

   To the east of Dunmanway, a distance of about four milies, still stands the ruins of Ballinacarriga Castle built in 1585 by Randal Og Hurley. In its heyday, this castle was a strong, square tower, nearly one hundred feet in height and stood on the crest of a rock which rose upwards of forty feet above the waters of an adjoining lake. A few yards to its front was a small circularbtower. This formerly guarded an angle of the wall which enclosed the castle. Unfortunately, the wall and the three other towers at the other angles, were later removed to aid the building of a flour-mill nearby. It would seem that the people of Dunmanway made a habit of tearing down castles to build flour-mills.On the whole,not a bad habit, perhaps.

   The upper floor of the castle contains two large windows, and these are adorned with various illustration, in relief. On the arch of one is a representation of the Crucifixion, and the Virgin and Child; and on the other, the letters R.M.CC(the initial of Randal Murrilah - Hurly - and his wife, Catherine Cullinane), the date of the casle's erection, a ladder, a heart transfixed with crossed swords,a scourge, a cock and a pot. The latter two symbols have always puzzled historians but tradition says that they refer to Peter,s denial of Christ in the high priest's courtyard.

   Apparently, there was a cock being cooked in pot on the fire at which Peter stood to warm himself and when Peter denied his Master for the third time the crock jumped out of the boiling water and crowed in his face.

   The lot of the stonecutters and masons of Cork was not an easy one. We sawhow Lord Cork treated them whenthe walls of Bandon were being built but Randal Og Hurley of Ballinacarriga treated them even more unfairly when he built his castle.

   Having quarried the stone and collected the other materials necessary for getting the work started, he sent in every direction for stonecutters and masons but they were unwilling to go to such a remote area in the wilds of Carbery. Nothing could coax them but big money and Randal readily promised them wages way above the going rate. He had cabins erected for their accommodation, fed them the best oxen and pig meat and they,in turn worked hard and with cheerful good-will. Occasionally a married man drew some of his wages to send home to his family, but the great bulk of what was due to the workers was left untouched. They looked forward with pleasure to the vast sums that would be theirs on completion of the castle, it was a happy building site.

   At last, the day arrived when the castle was completed and Randal announced that he would give a great feast to celebrate the occasion. Not only were all the workmen invited, but also the tenants and gallow-glasses belonging to himself and his kindred. After they had all enjoyed a bountiful meal, washed down with large measures of Spanish wine, Randal invited his guests to join him outside the walls for further entertainment. They followed him out in excellent humour and he them ordered the gates to be closed and the gallow-glassed to be drawn up under arms. Calling the workmen, one by one, he ordered them to produce their tally-sticks so that he could pay what he owed. As each man produced his stick, Randal produced a set-off in the shape of board and lodgings and many of them, he claimed,were actually in his debt.

   He then ordered them off his lands and warned that if any of them were caught near his castle after nightfall they would be executed. By sun-rise they had put as much distance as possible between themsleves and Ballinacarriga's castle, leaving their curses for ever on the Hurleys of West Carbery.

    Life at the castle was vigorous and exciting. While her lord was at the chase, Lady Randal would supervise the details for many great banquets. She was an imperious woman yet the people held her in high esteem. One night there came a knocking at the castle gates.Lady Randal was close by and it was she who answered. "Who comes at this time of night?" she asked haughtily. A feeble voice came from the darkness: "Tis I, poor beggar woman, my lady, craving for a rest for the night, and a little something to eat."Lady Randal shivered contemmptuously." A rest? And food? Begone, woman, and quickly. There is no rest or food here for the likes of you" Then the beggar-woman spoke again. "But, your ladyship, I have seven children and they are hungry...."

   Lady Randal's voice became disdainful. "Seven children," she shrilled. "And whose fault is that? Not mine, I can assure you. Begone, I say!"

   There was a faint rustle in the night as the woman gathered her children about her. Then she spoke again: "Go I shall, my lady, but before I do, listen to what I say, You are, Iknow, expecting your first child. But when it is born, six others will you have, making as many as I have altogether."

   Months later when Randal Og was returning from a hunt, he met the castle washerwoman making her way towards the lake. It seemed to him that her basket was unusually heavy. He reined in his horse. "What have you in that basket?" he demanded

The washerwoman curtsied. "Nothing, your honour, nothing but a few pups I was going to drown in the lake."

   Lord Randal dismounted. "who dares sends any pups of mine to be drowned?" he stormed. He snatched at the basket's cover. And there curled up in what might have been their last sleep were sixbaby boys. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. Tell me all or forfeit your ancient head within the next few seconds."

   Life was sweet even to the old washerwoman, so tremblingly she told Randal Og of the beggar woman's vist and the curse she put on Lady Randal when help was refused. "Only this morning, your honour, and you but hardly gone to the chase, were the children born.One was kept and I was told to drown the others. What could I do but obey?"

   Randal was silent for a few moments. His followers watched, wondering what was going to happen. At last Randal spoke: "Yes, woman, there was nothing you could do. But now you must keep silence, all of you, silence for seven years. The least talk of this matter and a head will be forfeited."

   So it was arranged. There and then, six nurses, all sworn to secrecy were obtained for the six babies. Lord Randal returned to the castle. He was told the good news that his wife had borne hima son. He dashed up the stairs to congratulate her but not the slightest sign did he show that he knew anything of the curse of the beggar woman and its result.

   Seven years passed and, as was customary, Randal Og Hurley ordered a great banquet to be held in honour of his son's seventh birthday.The guests were seated and waited for the boy to make his ceremonial entrance.

   Lady Randal was in her place at had the head of the table. Suddenly she noticed that there were six vacant seats alongside that set for her son. She had hardly time to think why this was so when in came not one boy but seven, all similarly dressed. They walked slowly towards her. The blood drained from her cheeks. Her brain reeled. What was this? How could this be? She fainted.

   For long minutes there was pandermonium in the Banqueting Hall. Lady Randal was revived, hardly knowing what was going on. Her husband placed an affectionate arm about her and raised his hand for silence. He then told the guests the whole story, leaving nothing out.

   "Let it be a warning." he said in conclusion, "never to refuse a poor person either food or shelter or both. We are all God's creatures - the rich and the poor, and the lowly"

   Today, 400 years on, Randal Hurley's remains lie in nearby Fanlobbus graveyard. The towering ruins of his castle just a few miles away still bravely defy the revages of time and weather.

   Randal Og's seven sons, with their father's enthusiasm and bravery, joined hopefully with the rebel Irish forces in the rebellion of 1641 and paid dearly the penalty for defeat. The castle, lands and cattle were declared forfeit and the Hurleys of Ballinacarriga remained hunted outlaws till they died. So perhaps the curse of the stonemasons of Cork did cath up with tem after all.