Ballysaggartmore Bridge and its striking towers, built in the 19th century by landlord Arthur Kiely-Ussher, were designed as the grand entrance to an estate that was never completed. Inspired by a rivalry with his brother — who was expanding nearby Strancally Castle — Kiely-Ussher envisioned an opulent residence to outshine it. However, financial hardship ultimately brought the ambitious project to a halt, leaving only these ornate Gothic-style remnants nestled in the surrounding woodland.

Though the mansion was never realized, the bridge and towers have earned a reputation beyond their architectural grandeur. Kiely-Ussher was a cruel man and his despicable behavior extended to the eviction of tenants during the great famine.

The Dúchas Schools’ Folklore Collection recounts dark prophecies and alleged curses on the man himself. One account tells of a woman, refused water by Kiely-Ussher, who cursed him to die in agony. Another recounts a priest confronting him and foretelling his painful death. Irrespective of the lore attached to the location, visitors claim to have heard disembodied whispers or seen shadowy figures in the area, especially at dusk.