In 1570, James Stanihurst arranged for Sir Christopher Barnewall to hide the English Jesuit priest and martyr Edmund Campion in the house for a period of 10 weeks to keep him from the authorities and prevent his arrest.

[8][9][10][11] In 1590, Mabel Bagenal was sent against her will to Turvey by her father, Sir Nicholas Bagnel, to prevent her from marrying Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.

[12] Ultimately, Mabel escaped from the house and eloped with O'Neill, marrying him at Drumcondra Castle near Dublin, the home of Sir William Warren.

Much of the original rubble masonry was said to have been salvaged from the remains of the Grace Dieu abbey which was located a few kilometres further north of the house.

[20] The house was renovated and changed during the late 18th century to create a Georgian nine-bay, three-storey over raised basement property.