Built in the 13th century, this fortified manor house was once the seat of the Mansel family, who arrived in Ireland following the Norman invasion of 1169. The structure represents a typical example of the defensive domestic architecture favoured by Norman settlers; these buildings combined the functions of a residence with the necessities of frontier defence in what was then a contested landscape between Gaelic Irish territories and Anglo-Norman holdings.

What remains today is a substantial rectangular tower house with thick limestone walls, narrow window openings, and the remnants of what would have been living quarters on the upper floors. The ground floor, as was common in such structures, likely served as storage and possibly housed livestock during times of raids. The building’s strategic position allowed its inhabitants to survey the surrounding lands whilst maintaining defensive capabilities; features such as murder holes above the entrance and narrow arrow slits in the walls speak to the ever-present threat of conflict during this period.

The site fell into decline following the upheavals of the 17th century, particularly after the Cromwellian conquest when many Anglo-Norman families either fled or lost their lands. Local folklore suggests the ruins are haunted by the last lady of the manor, though this is likely a romantic Victorian addition to the site’s history. Today, Mansels Court stands as a testament to the layered history of Ireland’s medieval period, when Norman settlers, Gaelic chieftains, and later English colonists all vied for control of the rich agricultural lands of County Kilkenny.