Title inscribed in ink l.c. on sheet under image.

Watermark u.l. on sheet forms part of a large shield, crowned

Drawn by Austin Cooper perhaps when he was touring the country gathering money from area tax collectors, or a Paymaster to the Civil and Military Establishments. Cooper made the drawing of this castle when he was on his way from Dublin to do a tour of the Province of Munster in 1781. In his diary for May 16th, 1781 (NLI Ms. Acc. 4841, Munster 1781, page 7 and quoted in Liam Price's book, page 14), Austin Cooper recorded: 'The Castle of Cullyhill - Queen's Coy. - 3 miles from Durrow is a strong Building ; three sides whereof is surrounded with a strong wall & towers, between wch [sic] & the Case [i.e. Castle] is a narrow passage with Spike holes for defence. In the upper parts are Gangways for the same purpose, the wall being 12 ft. thick. The N. side of this Case. is fallen down; from whence was the Communication to the adjoining Yard & Offices, surrounded with a Strong Wall and Ditch. A Well in the Yard. The stairs at present (strait flights) lead to but two Stories. A Man there (who knew the impossibility of my getting up farther to determine the Trugh of his Narrative,) told me very plausibly, that his Father was once on the Top & found an Inscription on one of the stones, which, tho' a good scholar, he could not read'

Physical description: 1 drawing : image 9.1 x 9.3 cm., on sheet 18.1 x 26.5 cm..

Citations/References: An eighteenth century antiquary : the sketches, notes and diaries of Austin Cooper (1759-1830) / Liam Price (ed.). - Dublin, 1942 page 14 and plate 7

Citations/References: Archaeological Inventory of County Laois / P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran - Dublin, 1995 page 114, No. 945 (under Galesquarter)