The fortified house dates from the 16th century and is believed to have been built by Sir Thomas Norreys, Lord President of Munster, who died in 1599. Following his death, his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Sir John Jephson inherited the house, with their family remaining in Mallow for almost 400 years. It was placed under siege by Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret, in 1642 during the Irish Confederate Wars and did not fall. It was captured in 1645 by James Tuchet, 3rd Earl of Castlehaven. The house was badly damaged by fire during the Williamite War and subsequently abandoned by the Jephsons. The Jephsons built the new mansion house on the site of the older castle's stable block.