Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 56. “(Evans/LGI1912) A two storey C18 house, 6 bay front; two bay breakfront, with small pediment-gable; tripartite round-headed doorcase. Now derelict.”
Section 482 in 2000, owner Tim Nagle, 086 2749166
The Buildings of Ireland. Cork City and County. Frank Keohane. Yale University Press: New Haven and London. 2020.
p. 23. The first notable exponent of the Palladian style in Ireland was Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, but neither he nor his successor, Richard Castle, is known to have worked in Cork, and there are no great Palladian houses here to river Castletown, Co Kildare, or Russborough. In part this may be explained by Cork’s limited links with Dublin, so that its architecture instead held tight to a conservative Anglo-Dutch idiom well into the mid C18. The Palladian formula of a central corps de logis linked to pavilions by quadrants therefore found little favour in Cork during the early Palladian period. Exceptions include the demolished Hollyhill (near Kinsale). Garrretstown was to have had a central block but only the two-storey wings were completed. Crosshaven’s wings are free-standing.
Instead, architects, builders and patrons made do with a simple and often tentative assimilation of Palladian elements. What did find favour was the sort of compact and economical four-square block employed by Pearce at Cashel and by Castle at the central blocks of Bellinter and Hazelwood. External refinements at such houses are confined to combinations of window and door surrounds, platbands, occasionally a cornice, and in rare cases a parapet to conceal the hipped roof. Early Georgian examples include Doneraile Court and Maryborough at Douglas; Bessborough at Blackrock (Cork city), and Crosshaven date from the mid century. Late C18 examples of these high, four-square blocks such as Coolmore (Ringaskiddy), Hoddersfield (Crosshaven) and Altamira (Liscarrol) are particularly plain, with an almost complete paring back of embellishment.
A modest expression of Palladianism is occasionally encountered in which a simple unadorned Venetian window is placed over the doorway, as at Knockane (Castlemartyr), or on the staircase at Kilmoney Abbey (Carrigaline). At Lisnabrin (near Conna) a Diocletian window, Venetian window and Venetian doorway are stacked one above the other, although here again the openings are left unadorned in an otherwise plain façade. The centre could be given further emphasis by making it advanced and giving it a pediment, as at Carker (Doneraile), Coliney (Charleville) and Assolas (Castlemagner). A modest but charming example is Park House near Doneraile, a single-pile gable-ended house with an ashlar façade articulated by a cornice and platband, the advanced centre having moulded architraves to the pedimented doorcase, first-floor Venetian window and a Diocletian window in the pediment. At Bessborough this formula is developed further, the seven-bay three-storey façade having rusticated quoins and stepped keystones to the flanking windows.
Detached six-bay two-storey house over basement, built c.1780, having shallow central breakfront having cut limestone pediment, bow gable ends, and four-bay three-storey return, all built onto original front of three-storey house of c. 1700, latter apparently incorporating seventeenth-century structure at ground level to east side. House currently undergoing restoration from ruined state. Hipped slate roof to later block and return, with central rendered chimneystacks and recent cast-iron rainwater goods, and having carved limestone cornice to return. Steeply-pitched slate roof to earlier block, its east gable having stepped projecting chimneystack to east gable. Painted ruled and lined rendered walls throughout, façade of front block having cut limestone quoins to ends and moulded limestone string course at plinth level. Camber-headed window openings to front block, square-headed elsewhere, with replacement timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Front has nine-over-six pane windows to ground floor and six-over-six to first floor. Lunette window to pediment. Return and earliest block have six-over-three pane windows to top floor and six-over-six pane to lower floors, return having moulded limestone sills. Tripartite limestone entrance to breakfront, having plinth, square-headed doorway with timber panelled door, flanked by square-headed sidelights with moulded sills, moulded cornice, and fanlight having triple keystone. Outbuildings to rear. Brick-lined wall garden to east. Entrance gates to south comprising square-profile cut limestone piers with plinths, moulded caps, urns, and decorative wrought-iron double-leaf gates and set in rendered walls.
Appraisal
This is a particularly interesting example of a multi-phase country house with a continuity of building from the seventeenth century to the present day. The earlier house has a typically steeply-pitched roof, its return having fine moulded stone sills and cornice. The late eighteenth-century house built by Nathaniel and Bridget Evans to its front has a well-designed classically-proportioned façade with elegant bowed ends. The elaborate entrance gates, topped with urns, are well crafted and form an important landmark in the area.
An early 18th century house built by the Evans family and their main residence for two centuries. It was valued at £40 in the mid 19th century and occupied by John W. Evans in 1906. The roof was removed in the 1950s but the house has been recently restored.
Bishop’s Palace, Cork, County Cork, photograph by Robert French, (between ca. 1865-1914), Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 92. “The palace of the C if I Bishops of Cork; a compact three storey block with a fanlighted doorway, built between 1772 and 1789 by Bishop Mann on the site of the earlier palace, a rambling building said to have dated from C16 and shown in an illustration of a French map of 1650 to have had a tower and cupola. Handsome entrance gates.”
Three-bay three-storey over basement detached house, c. 1782, with single-bay breakfront. Hipped roof with pair of rendered chimney stacks. Parapet with copper coping and moulded limestone cornice. Plain and painted render finish, coursed limestone with cut limestone plinth course to basement. Square headed openings, windows having cills, shouldered architraves to basement. Limestone plat band between ground floor and first floor, except to rear elevation which is plain. Limestone architrave to central opening of first floor façade, having frieze, cornice, scrolled ends and date plaque (MDCCLXXXII). Windows are timber sliding sash nine over six pane to ground floor, six over six pane to first floor, three over three pane to second floor. Two storey extension to north elevation having timber sliding sash single pane and Wyatt windows. String courses to first and second floor cill levels of north elevation. Round headed window to half landing on south elevation. Round-headed limestone Doric doorcase with pilasters, columns, decorative fanlight, multipane side lights and simple timber panelled entrance door. Open basement area with limestone capped low wall. Limestone pillars to entrance gates. Landscaped gardens with gravel drive.
Appraisal
Fine example of a well maintained late-eighteenth century house. The building retains its scale and form virtually unaltered. Significant in its own right, but also as the residence of the Church of Ireland Bishop to Cork, whose seat, St. Finbar’s Cathedral, is on the other side of Bishop Street. A highly important building on a key historical site in Cork City.
We’ve been living in this house for 15 years, but bishops have lived here since the late 18th century. We have all the portraits from all the bishops hanging up in the dining room.
“The house was built in 1782 and the architect was Thomas Ivory. Originally, this was the town house and the main residence was in Bishopstown. It’s not our house – we are required to live in it as part of the job. Georgian living is very sensible and the light is one of my favourite things about it. The morning light comes in at the front and it moves to the rooms you move to as the day progresses.
“My study on the top floor is my favourite room. It looks straight across to the cathedral and has views of the city.
“On the ground floor there is a hall way and three main rooms and a small kitchen. We use five bedrooms, and there is a small chapel at the top and a basement, which we don’t use, but which would have been used by staff previously.
“I guess the drawback of the house is that on retirement we have to find somewhere to live for the first time on our own. So, you have to plan and that is one of the big challenges of living in a tithe house.
“When we move, my guess is we will go back to the sort of house I grew up in, in suburbia, which is a semi or detached home among other houses.
“Because the ceilings are so high here, the rooms are very hard to heat, and window cleaning is a challenge in a house so tall. Maintenance is a big challenge and the heating system is 60 years old and it is being surveyed with view to replacing it. It’s not the same thing as replacing the heating in an ordinary suburban house unfortunately.
“One of the things I love about here is the location. It is opposite St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, right bang in the middle of the city, within walking distance of everything. There are about four acres of gardens with it, which is rare in a house so central.
Space for thinking “There was some pressure to sell it in the 1970s and early 1980s, and while these things are under review from time to time, we have spent a lot of money getting this house up to spec. We do use the house for public functions and it is ideal for that and works very well when you have a big group in.
“I really like the dining room. All the ground floor rooms are lovely. They are comfortable and bright and there is space for thinking. The house is a perfect cube and each floor gets sequentially smaller in height. So, for example, on the ground floor windows we have five levels of glass, and then on the next floor there are four, ending up in two levels on the top floor.
“It has always been called the Bishop’s Palace. As a social media user, when I check in on Foursquare, that’s the name that comes up. It’s more of an honour name though. It’s not like we live in something akin to Versailles.
“There are very few houses like this that have been continuously used for the same purpose since their foundation. It will be a very hard house to let go of.”
“The beautiful Kilmahon House, built in 1780, is a fully restored Georgian Country House offering elegant Bed & Breakfast accommodation. The house is also available for smaller events on special request. Just 30 minutes from Cork airport and the Historic city of Cork, Kilmahon is situated in the East Cork Village of Shanagarry. It is only a short walk to Ballymaloe Cookery School and the blueflag beaches along Ballycotton Bay.
“Kilmahon is an impressive listed Glebe Heritage House of Ireland and has been lovingly restored over a number of years. The result is a seamless blend of original period features and modern facilities, set within the idyllic coastal surroundings of County Cork’s nature.
“Spending a few days in this secluded ancient environment offers a chance to rejuvenate in comfort and peace. Weather with a good book in front of a warm fire or a stroll through the old gardens, you will find yourself uplifted and reset from the stresses of everyday life.
THE GROUNDS
“While the house was restored so too were the gardens surrounding it. The walled rose garden has been brought back to life and is a feast of colour through the summer months; a perfect and private space for guests to relax in. An expansive lawn to the front provides a large open space and stunning views over fields toward the ocean, while old stone walls and mature trees in abundance maintain the sense of privacy at Kilmahon.
THE RECEPTION ROOMS “Period fireplaces with log fires set a welcoming tone in each of the elegant reception rooms in Kilmahon House. Rooms are tastefully furnished with antiques and original art work effortlessly combining style and comfort. Large Georgian windows provide idyllic views onto the formal gardens below and Ballycotton Bay beyond.
THE BEDROOMS
“A wonderful nights rest in one of the six individually designed en-suite bedrooms awaits guests at Kilmahon House. Recent restorations allow for the inclusion of modern power showers and super-king beds whilst still enjoying the ambience of antique furniture, sumptuous furnishings and spectacular scenic views.
BOOKING YOUR STAY
“Kilmahon offers guests luxury Bed & Breakfast accommodation or the house also can be taken for exclusive rental where guests can enjoy staying in this outstanding Georgian house and its beautiful surroundings. Julia will be happy to organise with you any catering requirements you have. Kilmahon House is an ideal setting for family breaks. Contact the house directly to check availability.“
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 24. “[Boyle, Cork and Orrery, E/PB; Corker sub. Corcor/LGI1912] A castle built towards the end of C16 by the FitzGeralds of Imokilly, enlarged 1602 by Sir John FitzEdmund FitzGerald [b. 1555]; confiscated by Cromwell; occupied for a period after the Restoration by William Penn [1644-1718], of Pennsylvania, when he was managing his father’s estate at Shanagarry, nearby; subsequently occupied by 1st Earl of Orrery [Roger Boyle (1621-1679)], presumably while he was repairing and improving his nearby seat of Castle Martyr; acquired towards end of C17 by Lt-Col Edward Corker; sold by him ante his death 1734 to Hugh Lumley, who added some new buildings to the castle some time ante 1750. As a result of Lumley’s additions, Ballymaloe is now predominantly early C18 in character; consisting of a plain two storey six bay range with an old tower built into one end of it, and a three storey gable-ended range at right angles to the two storey range, and joined to it by a return; forming a house on a “L”- plan. Some of the windows have thick early C18 glazing-bars. A staircase with thin turned balusters rises from the inner end of the hall, which has a ceiling with simple Adamesque decoration. The large room to the right of the hall has simple Adamesque frieze. Ca 1800, Ballymaloe was the residence of the Penn Gaskell family, who were descended from William Penn. In 1814, it was the residence of William Abbott. In 1837, it was owned by a Mr Forster; in 1908, it was occupied by William Litchfield. Until ca 1947, it was the home of Mr and Mrs J.M. Simpson; since then, it has been the home of Mr and Mrs Ivan Allen.”
Ballymaloe House, 2017, photograph for Failte Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. [4]
The website tells us:
“Ballymaloe House is a family run Country House Hotel and restaurant on 300 acres of farmland located in beautiful East Cork countryside. Internationally recognised as the birthplace of Modern Irish Cuisine, Ballymaloe House offers you the very best of Irish hospitality and seasonal locally sourced or homegrown food. A unique Irish Country House experience.”
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. [5]
Mark Bence-Jones writes in A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])
The Ballymaloe website elaborates the history:
“Ballymaloe was a castle of the Imokilly Geraldines. Richard FitzMaurice FitzGerald was a son of the Knight of Kerry, who was appointed as Seneschal, or governor, of the area by the Earl of Desmond in 1440. The original castle was probably built by him shortly after that time. By the time of the Desmond rebellion, the occupant was John FitzEdmund FitzGerald who was known as ‘the Queen’s John FitzEdmond’ to distinguish him from the Seneschal of the same name who was a leader of the Insurrection and owned nearby Castlemartyr.“
“John FitzEdmund of Ballymaloe castle was an illegitimate son of Edmund by Honor Ni Donagh, ‘a woman of Muskerry’ and was well up in the list of efficient contrivers and gatherers of land of his time. John FitzEdmund appointed himself Sheriff of Cork in 1570 and during the Desmond rising he ‘dyd hang his (legitimate) brother James FitzEdmund’ in 1582. John refused to join O’Neill in 1599 and his lands were devastated, but he survived to be knighted by Mountjoy at Cloyne for his faithfulness in 1602.“
“Despite their differences, the close ties to the Geraldines were apparent when John FitzEdmund’s son, Edmund, was married to Honora, widow of his namesake, the late Seneschal. In 1611 this Edmund died and she was a widow again so old Sir John leased her the lands at a nominal rent before he died the following year aged 85.
“A daughter of her rebellious father, she housed the homeless friars at Ballymaloe. Her son John moved to Ballymaloe where he died in 1640.
“By the time of the Confederate War in 1641, the owner was her grandson, another Edmund and he lost the lands for taking the ‘rebel’ side. They passed to Broghill, (Roger Boyle, son of the Earl of Cork; newly-created Earl of Orrery, but living on a narrow edge of survival since he had escaped a charge of treason in London. Broghill lived at Ballymaloe after his enforced retirement as President of the court of Munster in 1672 before making his last home at Castlemartyr.“
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])
“By the middle of the 18th Century, the occupier was Abraham Forster, and early in the 19th century, his grandson demolished parts of the old castle. It was he who largely build the house into its present form. Sometime later it passed to the Litchfield’s, and in 1924 Simpson, a nephew of the latter family came into possession. Mr. Simpson sold the house and farm to Myrtle and Ivan Allen in 1948 and it remains owned by the Allen family to this day.“
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])
“Myrtle and Ivan Allen bought Ballymaloe in 1948 from the Simpson family. The Simpsons were known in the area for their parties and Myrtle and Ivan had, in fact, met at Ballycotton Lifeboat fundraising dinner at Ballymaloe a few years previously. Ivan had wide farming interests, growing tomatoes and cucumbers in glasshouses and mushrooms in dark wooden sheds at nearby Kinoith as well as managing the orchards there.
“However, Ivan longed for a mixed farm and when Ballymaloe came up for sale he decided to buy it. Myrtle and Ivan spent the next sixteen years farming and bringing up their children. The farm was a success producing milk, butter, cream, eggs, home raised pork and veal as well as fruit and vegetables. Myrtle became highly knowledgeable about cooking their produce and began writing a cookery column in the Irish Farmers Journal.“
“In 1964, Myrtle, encouraged by Ivan, decided to open Ballymaloe as a restaurant. The children were growing up and she could see a different future ahead of her:
“On a winter’s day I sat by the fire alone and wondered what I would do in this big house when they were all grown up – Then I thought about a restaurant.”
“Her aim was to emulate the best Irish Country House cookery. Myrtle and Ivan then placed an advert in the Cork Examiner: Dine in a Historic Country House. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Booking essential. Phone Cloyne 16.
“So Myrtle scrubbed down the kitchen table, and with the help of two local women she began. They cooked on an Aga at first and she was helped front of house by Ivan and their daughter Wendy. Their shepherd Joe Cronin ran the bar.
“The food was good and the restaurant flourished. They cooked using their own produce- unpasteurised milk and cream, veal, pork, homemade sausages and black puddings, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Ivan went to Ballycotton every day for the fresh catch. Local beef and lamb came from Mr.Cuddigan, the butcher in Cloyne. Myrtle also encouraged local farmers’ wives to bring in their surplus produce and blackberries, elderflowers and watercress were brought in by children for pocket money.
“Although times have changed at Ballymaloe, the essential spirit of the place is rooted in these improvised beginnings and in the relationship of the farm to the table which underlies the elegance of Irish Country House cooking.“
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])
The National Inventory describes it: “Detached six-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1780, with four stories to rear (north) elevation, three bays to rear forming central projection and having single-storey additions to rear. Tower house, c.1450, incorporated into west elevation and taller L-plan three-storey house c. 1730 to east, five-bay two-storey hipped-roofed block with slightly projecting east bay to north-east corner…The fascinating multiphase construction is evident in the variety of styles and blocks which form the house. Formerly the seat of the FitzGeralds of Imokilly, it was enlarged by Sir John FitzEdmund FitzGerald. It was occupied at one time by William Penn of Pennsylvania and by First Earl of Ornery. Its impressive size is enhanced by fine proportions and by the retention of various timber sliding sash windows. The central doorcase and large petal fanlight form the main artistic focus and enhance the impressive and symmetrical façade. The other blocks add tremendous context. The tower house incorporated into the main house is a very notable archaeological feature. The house retains much early fabric and forms a group with related outbuildings and gate lodge.” (see [5])
Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])Ballymaloe House, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. (see [5])
Detached six-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1780, with four stories to rear (north) elevation, three bays to rear forming central projection and having single-storey additions to rear. Tower house, c.1450, incorporated into west elevation and taller L-plan three-storey house c. 1730 to east, five-bay two-storey hipped-roofed block with slightly projecting east bay to north-east corner. Main block comprising hipped slate roof with rendered and red brick chimneystacks, terracotta ridge tiles and render eaves course. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and clay pots to L-plan section. Rendered walls. Square-headed openings with timber sliding sash windows, six-over-six pane to first floor and nine-over-nine pane to ground floor. Round-headed opening to west elevation with round-headed six-over-six pane timber sliding sash window. Camber-headed openings to rear with three-over-three and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Lunette windows to east elevation with spoked fanlights. Square-headed openings to east elevation with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Round-headed door opening to east elevation with spoked fanlight and timber door. Square-headed opening to ground floor, front (south) elevation with fixed pane glazed door. Round-headed opening to south elevation with square-headed timber panelled door with timber surround comprising pilasters and architrave, fixed pane glazed sidelights with petal fanlight above. North-east block comprising hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls with render cornice dividing stories. Square-headed openings with six-over-nine pane timber sliding sash windows and square-headed openings with glazed timber doors. L-plan block comprising hipped and pitched slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks, render copings to gables, overhanging eaves, cast-iron rainwater goods and render and brick eaves course. Rendered walls with render and brick platbands. Square-headed and camber-headed openings, some infilled, some with timber sash windows, six-over-six pane, nine-over-nine pane and six-over-three pane. Rubble limestone walls with crenellations to tower house. Rubble limestone boundary walls with square-profile rubble stone piers to south-east with cut limestone caps and carved limestone ball finials.
Appraisal
The fascinating multiphase construction is evident in the variety of styles and blocks which form the house. Formerly the seat of the FitzGeralds of Imokilly, it was enlarged by Sir John FitzEdmund FitzGerald. It was occupied at one time by William Penn of Pennsylvania and by First Earl of Ornery. Its impressive size is enhanced by fine proportions and by the retention of various timber sliding sash windows. The central doorcase and large petal fanlight form the main artistic focus and enhance the impressive and symmetrical façade. The other blocks add tremendous context. The tower house incorporated into the main house is a very notable archaeological feature. The house retains much early fabric and forms a group with related outbuildings and gate lodge.
Complex of outbuildings, built c. 1790. Multiple-bay two-storey outbuilding to south with rubble stone bellcote to north gable and recent glazed conservatories to east. Pitched slate roof with render eaves course. Bellcote with cut stone coping and round-headed opening. Rubble stone walls to east and rendered walls to west. Square-headed openings with replacement windows. Six-bay single-storey block to east, adjoined by single-storey lean-to, with pitched artificial slate roof, rendered walls, rubble stone to gable. Square-headed openings with fixed timber windows. Camber-arched opening to north with red brick block-and-start surround and voussoirs and fixed window. Four-bay two-storey former outbuilding to south, now in use as shop, with projecting end bay to west and two-bay single-storey extension to east of front (south) elevation . Hipped slate roof, rubble stone walls. Square-headed openings with replacement windows and doors. Gable-fronted single-bay three-storey former gate house, with pitched slate roof, render copings and rendered chimneystack, rendered walls, square-headed openings with replacement windows and round-headed opening with replacement door. Pointed arch carriage-arch attached to south with rendered walls and carved limestone keystone, dated 1701, with inscribed lettering to soffit.
Appraisal
A fine group of outbuildings which form a group with Ballymaloe House to west and further outbuildings and walled garden to south-east. It retain much original form and fabric. The gable-fronted block is of unusual form and is a notable feature, especially in conjunction with attached arch, which retains notable keystone and inscription details including date of 1701, which add interest and context.
also in In an Irish House. edited by Sybil Connolly. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1988. Entry by Mrs. Ivan Allen.
William Abbot was resident at Ballymaloe in 1814. It was described by Lewis in 1837 as a “very curious old house, built by the Fitzgeralds and forfeited in the war of 1641, it is now the property of Mr Forster” . By the early 1850s John Litchfield [Lichfield] was resident holding the house valued at £48 from Mountifort Longfield. It was the seat of William Lichfield in 1894. It is now the home of the Allen family who run it as a guest house with adjacent shop. Their renowned cookery school is nearby.
Evening at Ballymaloe, County Cork. The oldest part of the building is a mid-fifteenth century tower house constructed by the FitzGeralds of Imokilly: this was enlarged in 1602 by Sir John FitzEdmund FitzGerald. The property was later briefly occupied by William Penn when he was sent to manage his father’s estates in the area, after which it was owned by the first Earl of Orrery. The house was much enlarged on two occasions in the 18th century to assume its present appearance. It also regularly changed hands over several hundred years until being bought by the Allen family who since 1964 have run the place as a restaurant and country house hotel.
The Buildings of Ireland. Cork City and County. Frank Keohane. Yale University Press: New Haven and London. 2020.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Mount Corbitt House, Mountcorbitt, Churchtown, County Cork P51Y727 for sale December 2024, courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
€4,500,000
6 Bed
7 Bath
530 m²
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Mount Corbitt House & Stables Churchtown Ireland Purpose built impressive equestrian establishment. Period house (C. 5,700 sq. ft.) with car ports, private driveway, exceptional garden, grounds and panoramic views. Second detached property with courtyard, stables and grounds. Two separate staff properties. Training facility with 47 Stables & a further 5 stables at Ballygrace Stable Yard, Indoor School, 2 Covered Horse Walkers, 4.5 Furlong Uphill, 4 Furlong Round Gallop, Schooling Ground, Loose School & Cross County Course. Fenced paddocks and roadways. C.192 acres holding comprising of grassland, woodland, forestry, yards and roadways. Potential for diverse income stream from own farmland, equestrian facilities, gallops, potential let property income & farm payments.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Mount Corbitt House is an impressive equestrian establishment. It combines purpose built equestrian facilities and extensive residential accommodation. Set in an elevated rural position, it offers a superb opportunity for an owner, trainer or breeder to create a base. Situation Mount Corbitt House is set just outside Churchtown Village, home to Vincent O’Brien, C. 10.1 km from Buttevant where the first steeplechase took place in 1752. The area is steeped in equestrian history, Lord Windermere winner of the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup was trained at Mount Corbitt .Mallow Race Course is C. 20 km. The nearby towns of Charleville, Buttevant and Mallow have good local amenities and facilities including schools, shops and bus and rail connections. Whilst situated amidst beautiful and unspoilt countryside, the property is easily accessible. The N20 provides direct access to Cork and Limerick City. There are mainline rail services available at Charleville and Mallow. The area is well serviced by a variety of good schools both primary and secondary. Sporting and recreational opportunities include Hiking in Ballyhoura Mountains, walking at Doneraile Estate, where there are c.400 acres of grounds, walks and facilities. There is also excellent riding country in the surrounding area. Hunting is with the Duhallow Foxhounds, Limerick Harriers, The County Foxhounds and the Avondhu Foxhounds. Cork Race course is c. 20km. Limerick Race course is c.54km , Tipperary is c. 56km and Killarney is c. 66km. Cork, Shannon and Kerry Airports are all within an hours drive. Eirecode: P51 Y727 Co-ordinates: 52.251161, -8.741442
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Mount Corbitt House The property is set on a quite country lane and is accessed by gated entrance and impressive sweeping avenue bordered by stud fencing. The driveway splays, to the east is the principal house and courtyard, while the equestrian facilities are located to the west. Mount Corbitt is an impressive and generously proportioned Georgian style country house with commanding views over the surrounding countryside. Perched prominently, it is believed to date back to 1780.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
The accommodation extends to over 5700sq. ft and is arranged over four floors. The space is well balanced between formal and informal living, the rooms are light and airy with remarkable ceiling heights throughout. The reception rooms are accessed off the grand reception hallway which has period features and impressive character. The living room overlooks the front gardens and takes in the views, the space is attractively decorated, has an open fire and large sash windows with handmade shuttering and intricate woodwork. The dining room is similar, generous in proportion and set around a large open fire with panelled feature wall. Steps rise to a connecting hall which accesses a beautiful informal living room decorated in soft tones and fitted with an open fire. There is also a games room and guest w.c. .
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
To the rear of the property is a wooden porch finished with finest of craftmanship. The kitchen/dining area is located beyond the living area and is a large open plan space with a split level area, exposed beams, numerous chandeliers and a double sweeping staircase to a mezzanine area. The room is centred around, a handcrafted kitchen, expansive island and Aga. Two sets of wooden, beautifully handcrafted doors open to the rear terrace making the most of the views over the glorious gardens and grounds. From the kitchen, the practical elements of the house are accessed; a wonderful covered porch for functional side access, guest w.c. ,utility, basement level laundry room and a boot room with access to the rear terrace.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
The first floor has excellent accommodation with a good-sized principal bedroom suite complete with a bathroom and fitted furniture. There are three further bedrooms each with en-suites on the first floor, with a further three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. Décor is pleasing and simple.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
The property has a number of Georgian hallmarks with sash windows, feature fireplaces and symmetry. The house was sensitively refurbished and extended in an around 2006 and this is reflected in the fine finishes, shutters, panelling and joinery which helps preserve the overall character of the house. The property is surrounded by gardens and enjoys uninterrupted views. To the rear of the property is a paved terrace which runs along the length of the property and connects it with the nearby courtyard. Steps climb to a raised garden, flanked by well-maintained rose beds and low walls. The lawns stretch out in front of the property where there is an array of low colourful beds which lead the eye to the woodland and views beyond. A purpose built Ha- Ha ensures optimal views. The delightful rear gardens are south facing and incredibly private; they are mainly laid to lawn with a variety of mature trees and shrubs. There is an adjacent orchard with an array of fruit trees.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
The Courtyard One of the real highlights of Mount Corbitt is the abundance of ancillary accommodation. The adjoining courtyard houses two residential properties which are currently let. The courtyard is an impressive stone built, u- shaped area which was carefully restored alongside the principal residence. Rose Cottage Rose Cottage comprises of an entrance hall, country style kitchen/dining area, cosy living area with exposed beams, brick surround and stove. At first floor level, there is a landing area, two bedrooms and a main bathroom. Lavender Cottage Lavender Cottage is a corner unit with an entrance hallway, cosy kitchen/dining/living area, a stair rises to the first-floor open plan living area. There are two generous bedrooms and a main bathroom with a traditional style finish. Both units have proved to be successful in the private rental market and also with employees over the years. Adjacent to the cottages are six sizeable stables.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Offices A historic archway leads to the Main Stable Yard and office area. The offices comprise of two ground floor offices, bar area, guest w.c along with first floor games room and store. The main office area is open plan, vaulted and full of character. There is an open fire, impressive woodwork and a bar area. Equestrian Facilities Accessed via a sweeping avenue and sheltered by mature planting, trees & hedging, the equestrian facilities are well equipped. Facilities include the following: 47 stables, 2 tack rooms, canteen, offices, ladies & gents toilet facilities, C. 0.5 acre/72m x 30m indoor school, machinery shed, quarantine area, hay barn, 4.5 Furlong Hill Gallop, 4 Furlong Round Gallop, schooling ground, cross country course, loose school, 2 horse walkers, a loading bay and extensive parking space. The lands are enclosed by post and rail fencing and there are extensive roadways. There are a range of small paddocks immediately surrounding the yard for convenience.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Stables In total there are 47 stables at Mount Corbitt. The yard also comprises of tack room, staff canteen and ladies & gents toilet facilities. There is an open plan haybarn, vets box, 3 wash bays and quarantine area adjacent to the main yard. Indoor School A 200 Sqm covered school with lighting and additional stabling, storage and workshop. Gallops The property has two gallops, a 4.5 Furlong uphill gallop and 4 Furlong round gallop. It should be noted both gallops and the schooling grounds were developed by Furlong Gallops in Wexford, specialists in their field. Schooling Ground There is an impressive schooling ground which is 360 mts long complete with a mixture of hurdles and fences. There is also an elevated viewing area. Horse Walkers There are 2 covered horse walkers Cross Country Course There is a cross country course designed by Peter Fell of Ballindenisk, a renowned equestrian facility that hosts international events. The course includes various obstacles and a water jump. Farmland The majority of the lands are enclosed by post and rail fencing and are accessible by a network of extensive roadways. Hedgegrows are mostly beech and meticulously maintained. The holding is sheltered by mature woodland. In total the holding extends to C.78.11 HA / 193.05 acres, which includes is C. 9.66 HA/23 Acres of commercial forestry, C. 6.7 HA/16.5 Acres of woodland. Farm payments are available by separate request and Negotiation.
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Ballygrace House atMount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Ballygrace House This attractive Georgian style detached property previously hosted staff, however, in recent times, the property was let in the private rental sector. Accommodation comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining room, utility, guest wc, landing, main bathroom and three bedrooms (2 bedrooms have ensuite). The property is neutrally decorated and well maintained. There are gardens to the front and side and a carefully restored courtyard with tack room, 4 stables and overhead storage. Adjacent to Ballygrace, is an array of Haybarns and leantos. In the past, this area was utilised with brood mares and young stock. Ballygrace enjoys a separate entrance, which is used when the public access the schooling grounds and uphill gallop. Internal roadways connect Ballygrace with Mount Corbitt. However, both could be subdivided easily. BERS Mount Corbitt: BER: Exempt Ballygrace: BER: C1 BER NO: 117438879 Indicator: 173.68 kWh/m2/yr Rose Cottage: BER: C1 BER NO: 117454223 Indicator: 165.13 kWh/m2/yr Lavender Cottage: BER: B3 BER NO: 117456368 Indicator: 132.72 kWh/m2/y
Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Co Cork, photograph courtesy Sarah O’Keeffe Dec 2024.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 19. “A small Georgian house. Handsome pedimented front with cut-stone dressings. The seat of a branch of the Barry family; in recent years of Dr T.St.J. Barry, father of Rev N.P. Barry, OSB, Headmaster of Ampleforth College.”
Detached seven-bay two-storey over half-basement house, built c. 1780, having three-bay pedimented breakfront, full-height central return to rear, and two-bay side elevations. Hipped slate roof with pair of rendered chimneystacks to centre, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls, façade and gables having cut limestone dressings comprising plinth with moulded limestone coping, moulded eaves cornice, string course between ground and first floors, and quoins. Moulded pediment to façade, having open-bed pediment detail within. Return has moulded limestone eaves course. Square-headed replacement uPVC windows throughout, with tooled limestone sills. Façade windows diminish in size with height. Continuous sill course to first floor openings in breakfront, middle window being set into round-headed recess. Round-headed entrance doorway with engaged Doric limestone columns supporting baseless moulded limestone pediment, having timber panelled door with spoked fanlight, approached by flight of cut limestone steps with wrought-iron railings. Farmyard to rear having single-storey farm buildings. North-east block having segmental-arch vehicular entrance in shallow breakfront, with cut-stone voussoirs, and north-west having rubble limestone walls, both buildings having pitched corrugated-iron roofs and square-headed timber battened doors.
Appraisal
This formally-built elegant late eighteenth-century country house has neo-Classical detail and style. The shallow breakfront helps make this an imposing house, the centrepiece of which is the fine carved doorcase. The front elevation is enlivened with the use of excellent quality stonework, particluarly in its cornice, quoins, string course and door surround. Such detail is is testimony to the highly skilled craftsmen of the late eighteenth century.
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988, Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 240. “Two storey house of mid-C19 appearance. Seven bay front with die; keystones over windows; balustraded enclosed porch.”
Detached seven-bay two-storey country house, c. 1785, with pedimented Doric doorcase. Extended, c. 1830, on a U-shaped plan. Renovated, c. 1860. Detached eight-bay stable block to site with integral carriageways. Undergoing refurbishment in 1999.
This was originally the family seat of Joshua Paul II but in 1777 it was listed in the ownership of the Bunbury’s.
Detached seven-bay two-storey country house, built c.1785, with pedimented Doric doorcase. Extended, c.1830, on a U-shaped plan. Renovated, c.1860. There is a detached eight-bay stable block on site with integral carriageways.
A seven-bay, two-storey house which has been remodelled several times. There are indications that it was originally a mid-18th century house which was extended about 1820, with the façade remodelled about 1860. Some interior features survive from the mid-18th century but the full width of the house appears to date from the 1820’s. It has painted, lined and rendered walls, a pedimented doorcase with Doric pilasters and windows with circa 1860 architraves with keystones and brackets under the sills. The sash windows have six panes in each sash and there is a cornice with a frieze below it and a blocking course above. The hipped roof is hidden behind the blocking course and there are end stacks. Flanking conservatories were added in 1999 and are well designed.
And gate lodge:
A small gate lodge of circa 1870 with a façade of three bays and a single storey. It has lined and rendered walls, segmental-headed windows with flat, granite dressings and keystones, a hipped, slated roof with wide, bracketed eaves and a bracketed, canopy porch. The doorcase is also segmental-headed. The lodge was extended at the rear in 1999.
And stables
A U-plan composition built of coursed-rubble granite with brick dressings to the windows and square-headed, granite door case with block and start dressings. The central feature is an advanced pair of carriage arches. Flanking it are ‘houses’ of three bays and two storeys each with square-headed door cases and half-moon windows. There is a similar block on the left-hand side of the U. There are natural slates on the roof. The composition probably dates from the early 19th century.
Stunning €1.2m Georgian mansion for sale in Co Carlow
This stunning Georgian house is being put up for sale after the owner has made the difficult decision to leave the peace and tranquillity of the Irish countryside and head back to the big city. Rathmore Park has been the home Jackie Ruddock and her family since they moved in permanently nearly 20 years ago. “We bought it on a whim” said Jackie. “We were living in Dalkey at the time, and weren’t even looking for a house in the country. We came up the drive past all the lovely calves, walked into the hall and were sold immediately.”
The 680sqm property sits in the middle of 25 acres of beautiful forestry of beech, oak and ash trees. The River Slaney runs through the grounds and the owners of Rathmore Park hold the fishing rights to a mile-long stretch which is rich with salmon, pike and trout. The grounds also feature a swimming pool and tennis court which could be restored by the new owners. The neighbouring field is rented out to a local farmer who uses it for his suckler herd, so there are always cute calves and mothers roaming free.
As well as the main house, there is also a cut-stone coach house and stableyard, converted into a fine three-bedroom, two-bathroom family home with a separate studio apartment Jackie and her late husband Alan bought the property in the mid-90s and spent a few years restoring it before making it the family home in 1999. Alan was a journalist and the first editor of the Irish edition of the Sunday Times. He died suddenly in 2010.
Jackie said: “Rathmore Park is essentially Georgian. The original house dates from 1735 – although there is one 4ft-thick wall that we think is Norman – and was extended in 1830 and again in 1860. We added on the sun rooms at either end in 1999. “There are great party rooms. They have seen a lot of late nights. “I think it is the perfect family house. There’s plenty of room for everyone to do their own thing without getting under each other’s feet, and the grounds are wonderful for children. The snooker room comes into its own late at night.”
Jackie and her sons made the tough decision to sell Rathmore Park so they could move to Dublin to be closer to their work and family. The property has an asking price of €1.2m and the sale is being handled by agents Ganly Walters.
Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses.[originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978; Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.]
p. 8. “(Ruxton/LGI1912 and sub Fitzherbert/IFR) A three storey seven bay C18 house of red brick. Small porch with pilasters, pediment and fanlights. Now a hospital.”
Casey, Christine and Alistair Rowan. The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster. Penguin Books, London, 1993.
p. 120. “W. of the town, off Market Street. Big redbrick Georgian house built c. 1780 for the Ruxton family, whose ancestor, Captain John Ruxton, was granted part of the former property of the Flemings of Slane during the Cromwellian plantation. This is a very plain, large house, seven windows wide on each front, three storeys and a sunk basement, with big chimneystacks at the sides and a parapet hiding the roof. Stone quoins and a tripartite pedimented doorcase. Two rooms deep, with a central hall and staircase behind. Now a hospital for the elderly, with many messy additions.”
Detached seven-bay three-storey over basement former house, built c. 1780, now in use as hospital. Rectangular-plan main block, single-storey projecting porch to centre of front (west) elevation, single-storey over basement flat-roofed extension to north gable, one-bay wide by four-bay deep two-storey flat-roofed extension to south gable c. 1950, full-height rectangular staircase towers to north and south sides of east (rear) elevation c. 1960, single-storey flat-roofed ward block extension to east c. 1965, basement areas to west and north elevations. Hipped slate roofs to main building and south extension, clay ridge and hip tiles, unpainted smooth rendered chimneystacks with projecting flat caps and clay pots, parapet gutter to main block concealed behind parapet wall, cast-iron gutters on continuous concrete eaves corbel to south extension. Red brick walling to front elevation main block, V-jointed ashlar stone quoins, moulded cornice below ashlar parapet; wet-dash walling to north and east elevations, blind roundel with moulded stone architrave interrupted by keystones on vertical and horizontal axis, on north elevation; red brick pilasters sub-dividing wet-dash walling to south extension; unpainted smooth rendered walling to staircase blocks. Square-headed window openings, brick flat arches, dressed stone sills, uPVC casement windows; round-headed window openings to ground floor north gable and stairwell half-landings on east (rear) elevation. Entrance porch to main block with central square-headed door opening, half-round fanlight above transom, open bed triangular pediment; flanked by Doric columns, square-headed sidelights and Doric pilasters at corners; entablature with moulded architrave, plain frieze and moulded cornice; blocking course over; uPVC casements; approached by stone steps. Attached brick and rendered Saint Joseph’s Chapel, built 1929. Rectangular-plan, four-bay hall, single-storey flat-roofed porch to west gable, hipped roof sacristy to east gable. Pitched slate roof, roll-top clay ridge tiles, concrete saddle-back verge copings with pedimented corbelled springers and masonry cross finials, moulded cast-iron gutters, circular cast-iron downpipes. Red brick walling to west gable, painted smooth rendered walling to projecting porch, painted smooth rendered walling to north, south and east elevations, north and south elevations sub-divided into panels by plain pilasters, painted smooth rendered chamfered projecting plinth. Paired round-headed window openings, plain smooth rendered reveals, painted masonry sills, leaded light glazing. Round-headed opening to entrance porch, painted smooth rendered plain reveals, painted smooth rendered string moulding at impost, wrought-iron gates with repousse motifs, chequerboard floor tiling, painted smooth-plastered walls, painted timber panelled double doors to interior. Concrete approach steps and ramp, linked to main block to south. Located to west of town overlooking open countryside to west, wooded grounds to north and east, approached by driveway from north.
Appraisal
This large classically-styled hospital and chapel work together to create a commanding presence on the west side of Ardee. Although much altered, the west elevation of the former house, built for the Ruxton family, retains original proportions and details and a fine entrance porch. The chapel is a pleasant little building with some notable details such as the simple open porch with excellent wrought-iron gates. Views over open countryside to the west enhance the wooded setting.
Anketill Grove (or Ancketill’s Grove or Anketell Grove), Emyvale, County Monaghan – gate lodge accommodation
Anketell Grove, County Monaghan courtesy National Inventory.
Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 4. “Captain Oliver Ancketill built first Ancketill’s Grove ca. 1640, on low ground. His grandson Oliver rebuilt the house on higher ground at the head of the copper beech avenue. This house was demolished in 1781, and a third dwelling was erected on another site: A two-storey, five-bay, gable-ended main block with a small pediment, joined by curved sweeps to single-storey, two-bay wings. There are Georgian-Gothic windows in the wings; a door with a good keystone between two round-headed windows in each of the sweeps.
“The house was extensively remodelled ca 1840; its most freakish feature, an Italianate campanile sprouting from the centre of the main block, would appear to date from this time; though there may always have been a central attic-tower, following the precedent at Gola, in the same county. The additions of 1840 included a porch and a new staircase; while at the same time the principal rooms were given ceilings of carved woodwork. Sold 1920.”
The third Anketell’s Grove (the other two being replaced by each subsequent house on different sites) was originally built in 1781. A five bayed house with curved sweeps to two small wings, the main block has a small fan-lighted pediment. The wings have Georgian Gothic windows while the remainder of the house including the sweeps have round headed windows. Remodelled in 1840, the house was given an unusual Italianate Campanile sprouting from the centre of the main block. Like Gola House (now demolished) also in Monaghan it may always have had a central tower but this is uncertain.
Five-bay two-storey house, built c.1781 and remodelled c.1840, flanked by gable-fronted single-storey wings, adjoining house by screen walls in Palladian style. Pedimented full-height central bay with projecting single-storey porch to its front. Recent extensions and square-plan four-stage Italianate campanile to rear (north-west) elevation. Pitched slate roof to main block, with rendered chimneystacks and having replacement uPVC eaves course. Hipped slate roof with timber eaves supports and cast-iron weather vane to campanile. Hipped slate roof to porch to front. Mixed replacement and cast-iron rainwater goods. Pitched slate roofs having red brick chimneystacks and clay chimneypots to side-wings. Ruled-and-lined rendered walls to ground floor to front of house and side-wings. Render string course, squared tooled sandstone to first floor. Harl rendered walls to screen walls, pediments and internal elevations of gable-fronted wings, coursed rubble stone to external elevations of wings, and smooth render with render quoins and plinth courses to rear and side elevations of main block. Coursed rubble limestone to campanile having render string courses between stages. Render crest to north-east elevation of porch to front, with tooled limestone surround. Pointed openings to pediments of wings, tooled limestone surrounds and sills, blocked. Round-headed window openings to front having painted tooled limestone surrounds and sills, and replacement timber windows. Round-headed window openings to screen walls, one with replacement uPVC window, others blocked. Pointed-arch openings to front elevations of side wings and first floor to central bay, having painted tooled stone surrounds, sills and timber tracery to windows. Round-headed window opening to pediment of central bay, with timber tracery to window. Square-headed window openings to north-east and south-west elevations of hall connecting to front porch, with painted stone sills and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed window openings to south-west elevation of porch having replacement uPVC window, painted sill and shouldered render hood-moulding. Square-headed window openings to rear elevations with render sills, reveals and replacement uPVC windows. Round-headed window openings to third and fourth stages of campanile having tooled limestone surrounds, sills and two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Gauged-brick square-headed window openings to fourth stage to rear of tower, with render sills and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Round-headed lancet windows to front of tower, tooled limestone surrounds and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Gauged-brick square-headed window openings to second stage with red brick surrounds, masonry sills and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed openings to side-wings, some blocked. Doorway to front comprising pair of render engaged Doric-style columns on square-plan plinths, supporting painted masonry lintel cornice over square-headed opening having timber panelled door. Square-headed door openings to screen walls with tooled limestone surrounds and keystones. Stepped screen wall to north-east of house, having coursed rubble walls with patches of render and render capping, and square-headed niches flanking central round-headed niche.
This house was built in the early eighteenth century for the Anketells, who became one of the primary landowning families in the area. Major Matthew John Anketell was listed in Thom’s Directory for 1862 as a Deputy Lieutenant and Magistrate for County Monaghan. The house was remodelled in the mid-nineteenth century, at which point the campanile was altered to match the Victorian stable block, and the wings were rebuilt in Gothic design. A strong sense of symmetry was created by the side wings and screen walls, central pedimented bay and projecting porch, a layout iconic of the Palladian style of architecture. Contextualised by the adjacent stable block and a gate lodge, this country house is of high quality architectural design and makes a strong contribution to the landscape.
Grove Lodge is a cosy stone cottage set on the Anketell Grove Country Estate near Emyvale, County Monaghan. The cottage is refurbished and includes modern facilities, such as TV, DVD player, radio and CD player. For convenient cooking, there is an electric cooker, microwave and electric water heater. Additionally, guests will find a washing machine, tumble dryer, hot press, electric shower, oil-fired central heating and stove.
The property includes private parking, outdoor picnic facilities, lovely farm walks and a dog kennel. It is conveniently located within 5km of Castle Leslie in Glaslough and 15km from the Slieve Beagh mountains, which offer wonderful walks. The nearby Emy Lough offers walking routes and outdoor swimming, while indoor swimming facilities can be found in Monaghan Town, just 6km away.
Ankatell Grove Gortmoney Emyvale Monaghan PO Code: H18 NY52 Republic of Ireland
Anketell Grove (Ancketill’s Grove), or indeed according to older ordnance survey maps, Trough Grove, is located near Emyvale, in the barony of Trough in Co. Monaghan. It is a curious mixture of styles and form to the eye. The property once belonged to the McKennas but it seems that in the 1630s Oliver Ancketill (son of William Ancketill from Shaftesbury in Dorset) acquired a grant of land and built a house here, possibly replacing a Mckenna one. Oddly, a copy of Burke’s History of the landed gentry says it was a Matthew Ancketill who acquired the property in 1636. Regardless, Oliver’s family were well regarded in Dorset, it seems an ancestor, Fitzameline Ansechetil was an MP in the parliament of Edward 1st. In the 17th century they were Royalists and this seemed to pertain to the newly established Irish branch of the family too. Oliver’s son Matthew had the estate “ rubber stamped” as to being his property by his monarch Charles 2nd, however he died in 1689 fighting in essence for King William, the enemy of the brother of Charles,James 2nd. According to a Samuel Lewis in his topographical dictionary of Ireland in 1837, “Mr.Anketell Esq., a gentleman of considerable property in the neighbourhood” took on an Irish force of 600, commanded by Major John McKenna, who were entrenched in an old Danish fort called Drumbanagher. It appears, according to Lewis, that despite “ a heavy fire on the Protestants” from a commanding position, “ Mr. Anketell, who was of undaunted courage, burst into the fort, at the head of his troops,routed and pursued the enemy with considerable slaughter, but was himself slain in the hour of victory. Major McKenna and his son were both taken prisoners, and the former was destroyed, in the moment of excitement in revenge of the death of the spirited leader of the Protestant force.” Major McKenna was the great great grandson of Patrick McKenna, who some regard as the greatest ever McKenna chieftain(he possibly even fared reasonably well with Elizabeth 1st). It’s alleged that the McKenna fortune had been deposited into the lake at Minmurray near his home just before the battle, and that an odd piece occasionally still turns up. Apparently Major McKenna’s severed head was presented to his widow afterwards. There is some controversy about this “ battle” in so far as both sides state a completely different version of events, indeed even the year is disputed 1688 or 1689. It seems likely that 1689 is correct because James 2nd had it’s reported, just prior to the incident,made Major McKenna High Sheriff of Monaghan in 1689. Indeed some say he was on his way to arrest Protestants disloyal to James when the whole fracas/battle kicked off as it were. Perhaps the fact that there were 5 separate Anketell subscribers (in the vicinity)to Lewis’s publication, his version of events may have been biased in one direction ? I should point out that the family were Ancketill and the name morphed into Anketell probably in the time of William Anketell (1790-1851). Hence the name was written with 2 spellings depending on timeline and perhaps choice. Matthew, who had married Matilda Moore, was succeeded by his son William ( High Sheriff 1707). William was only about 32 when he died childless. As a consequence of this, his brother Oliver (MP for Monaghan) inherited the property in 1709. He was a successful lawyer, MP for Monaghan and indeed had been High Sheriff in 1703. He it seems built another new house here but on higher ground at the top of a splendid copper beach avenue.Oliver and his wife Sarah ( née Campbell) had a son William but he died in 1756 predeceasing his father. As a result, Oliver’s eldest grandson Charles inherited the estate. Charles had 2 brothers that I’m aware off, Richard and Matthew. Richard it’s written, upon the death of his wife, on the same day,knelt down beside her and died too. Charles built the house again, a 5 bay, 2 story, gable ended Georgian main block with single storey 2 bay wings attached by curved sweeps. Charles, who never married, was succeeded by his brother Matthew’s son William. William as mentioned earlier seems to have preferred Anketell to Ancketill. It was William or indeed his son Matthew (suceeeded in 1851), or perhaps both of them, who added the campanile and various other embellishments between the 1840/1850s. It’s been observed that the campanile (roughly,from the Italian term “bell tower”) that was added is slightly reminiscent of that at Gola house, seat of the Wrights- burned in the 1920s-also in Co. Monaghan), however it’s scale does seem ill at ease with the dimensions and indeed style of the Georgian house at Anketell. This is more or less how the house stands today, with some probably common, 20th century alterations. Overall the house has been built/rebuilt 4 times , and at slightly different locations. Matthew was succeeded by his son Matthew David Anketell, who was an actor, diarist and Egyptian hieroglyphist. Sadly he only lived for 2 years after his father’s death, having a bad, indeed fatal fall from a horse. As he had not married, and the next oldest brother, Oliver Frederick Anketell had died before him, the property came into the hands of a 3rd brother, William Ancketill ( there had been 5 boys and 3 girls). I hope you noticed that the spelling of the name has reverted to Ancketill. It appears that this William( 1851-1931) decided to return the name to its former spelling and in 1874 he legally changed it. He was a keen violinist and held the office of DL for Monaghan. He married Jean (Laing Falkner) and they had a daughter named Olive. In the 1870s William is recorded as owning 7,504 acres in Co. Monaghan. It’s obvious however that the estate was in financial peril because he raised a mortgage on it in the early 1880s and by the late 1880s much of the land was no longer in William’s hands. By 1901 William was staying at Killyfaddy Manor, a fine classical house in Co. Tyrone, with his uncle Fitzameline Anketell (an unusual Christian name, but they had as mentioned earlier an ancestor with it too). Fitzameline had married an heiress and indeed he himself inherited substantial wealth from his maternal uncle Robert Waring Maxwell. In the 1901 census, Anketell Grove is occupied by Samuel Griffin, who states his occupation as a land steward, and his family (no servants). The census record states that the owner of the property is Clement K. Cordner. Clement Kennedy Cordner was a farmer, JP and land agent, from the Muckamore area in Co. Antrim. He was married to Frances (née Anketell) and in the 1901 census was resident in his house (in Co. Antrim) with his wife, 2 Anketell sisters-in-law and 3 servants,with 25 rooms being used in an obviously large home. I know William had sold off more land in 1901, perhaps the house as well, to at least somebody so well known to him ? Clement was William’s brother-in-law. William’s three sisters who were living/staying with Clement were Frances (1845-1916, Clement’s wife, she had previously been married to Captain Newton Haworth Wallace), Augusta (1854-1908) and Selina (1843-1921). In the early 1920s the house was sold to a local man, Mr. Patrick Mckenna. I wonder if he was a descendant of Major John ? In 1970 the property was bought by Mr. Laurence Clerkin, who still resides there. I thank him for permission to photograph his private home.
THE ANCKETILLS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY MONAGHAN, WITH 7,754 ACRES
This family was of high station in Dorset at a very remote period (its name appearing in the Domesday Book).
As early as the reign of EDWARD I, several of its members represented the borough of Shaftesbury in Parliament.
The pedigree and history, as anciently of Ancketill’s Place, near Shaftesbury, and east Aimer, near Sturminster Marshall, and more anciently of Lye, near Wimborne, and represented by Ancketill, of Ancketill’s Grove, are given in the 3rd edition of Hutchins’ History of Dorset, and there carried down to 1868; the pedigree extends to twenty-three generations, and shows intermarriages with the most distinguished of the old Dorset families.
The history shows the active part which this family took as Royalists in the time of CHARLES I in Dorset, and that its descendants and representatives in Ireland, when called upon, were not found wanting in devotion to what they considered the right cause.
The first ancestor of this line,
CAPTAIN OLIVER ANCKETILL JP (1609-66), of County Monaghan, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1662, son of William Ancketill, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, married Rebecca, probably of the family of Bullingbrooke, of Galway, and and issue,
MATTHEW, his heir; William; Richard; Sarah, m 1660, James Corry, ancestor of the Earls of Belmore; Elizabeth.
Captain Ancketill was succeeded by his eldest son,
MATTHEW ANCKETILL (1651-88), of Ancketill’s Grove, County Monaghan, to whom that estate was confirmed, by patent, in the reign of CHARLES II.
He was High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1682, but was attainted by JAMES II.
Mr Ancketill wedded Matilda, daughter of Robert Moore, of Ravella and Garvey, County Tyrone, and had (with other issue),
WILLIAM, his heir; OLIVER, succeeded his brother; Robert; Catherine.
Mr Ancketill was killed at the battle of Drumbanagher Hill, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
WILLIAM ANCKETILL (1677-1709), of Ancketill’s Grove, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1707, who dsp 1709, and was succeeded by his next brother,
OLIVER ANKETELL (1680-c1760), of Ancketill’s Grove, MP for Monaghan Borough, 1754-60, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1703, who married firstly, in 1716, Sarah Caulfeild, second daughter of William, 2nd Viscount Charlemont, by Anne Margetson, his wife, only daughter of the Most Rev James Margetson, Lord Archbishop of Armagh, and had issue (with three daughters),
WILLIAM (1724-56), father of CHARLES;
Mr Ancketill espoused secondly, when about 80 years of age, Anne Stephens (née Tuton), but died immediately thereafter, and was succeeded by his grandson,
CHARLES ANKETELL (1754-1828), of Anketell Grove, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his nephew,
WILLIAM ANKETELL JP DL (1790-1851), of Anketell Grove, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1830, who married, in 1809, Sarah, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Charles Frederick Waring Maxwell, of Finnebrogue, County Down, and had issue,
MATTHEW JOHN, his heir; William Robert, of Quintin Castle, Portaferry; Oliver Charles; Fitz Ameline Maxwell, of Killyfaddy, Clogher; Maxwell; Moutray; Anne Dorothea; Maria; Matilda Jane.
Mr Anketell was succeeded by his eldest son,
MATTHEW JOHN ANKETELL JP DL (1812-70), of Anketell Grove, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1834, Major, Monaghan Militia, who married, in 1840, Catherine Frances Anne, eldest daughter of David Ker MP, of Portavo and Montalto, County Down, by the Lady Selina his wife, daughter of the 1st Marquess of Londonderry, and had issue,
MATTHEW DAVID, his heir; Oliver Frederick (1850-72); WILLIAM, succeeded his brother; Henry; Robert Waring Maxwell; Selina Sarah; Ada; Frances Emmeline; Gertrude Madelina; Bertha Grace Phœbe; Octavia Mary; Augusta.
Major Anketell was succeeded by his eldest son,
MATTHEW DAVID ANKETELL (1841-72), of Anketell Grove, who was killed by a fall from horseback, died unmarried, and was succeeded by his next surviving brother,
WILLIAM ANCKETILL DL (1851-1931), of Ancketill’s Grove, Lieutenant, Royal Tyrone Fusiliers, who married, in 1875, Jean Laing, daughter of Robert Falkner, of Broughton Park, Lancashire, and had issue, an only child,
OLIVE MAUD ANCKETILL (1876-1909), who wedded firstly, in 1901, Reginald George Petre Wymer, only son of Reginald Augustus Wymer, and grandson of Sir Henry George Petre Wymer KCB, and had issue, a daughter, Lovice Vivian Petre.
She espoused secondly, in 1907, Michael Linning Henry Melville, Egyptian Civil Service, and had issue, a daughter,
Monica Agnes Ancketill, born in 1908.
ANKETELL GROVE, near Emyvale, County Monaghan, was originally built by Captain Oliver Ancketill about 1640, on low ground.
His grandson Oliver rebuilt the house on higher ground at the head of the copper beech avenue.
This house was demolished in 1781, when a third dwelling was erected on another site: A two-storey, five-bay, gable-ended main block with a small pediment, joined by curved sweeps to single-storey, two-bay wings.
There are Georgian-Gothic windows in the wings.
The house was extensively remodelled about 1840, boasting an central Italianate attic tower at the centre, which rises from ground level.
The estate was mortgaged by William Anketell, early in 1884, to the Scottish Provident Insurance Association. Mr Anketell had been, by that stage, in financial difficulties.
Scottish Provident began evictions almost at once: The estate was put up for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court in 1886 and the Scottish Provident became absolute owners of the whole estate, with the exception of Anketell Grove House, demesne and three townlands.
In 1899, Scottish Provident received £4,800 in advances from the Government for sales to sixty two tenants.
In 1901, William Anketell received £3,820 for sales to thirty-three tenants (Dublin Gazette, 26th July, 1901, pps 1045-6).
Some time thereafter the Anketells removed to Killyfaddy, near Clogher, County Tyrone.
Anketell Grove was purchased from the Irish Land Commission in 1922 by Patrick McKenna, of Derryhee, nearby.
In 1970, Anketell Grove and ninety acres of land were purchased by Mr Laurence Clerkin, the present owner.
I AM GRATEFUL TO HENRY SKEATH FOR HIS INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE IN THE COMPOSITION OF THIS ARTICLE.
The Ancketills of Ancketill’s Grove have trodden lightly on the earth, at least in archival terms, and no significant archive is known to survive to document their activities. E.P. Shirley, the historian of County Monaghan, corresponded with the family in the 19th century about their genealogy and family history, and the resulting letters are preserved among his papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. But it is hard to evaluate the stories which have been recorded by Shirley and others about the origins of the family and the early history of their estate in County Monaghan.
It seems probable, however, that Capt. Oliver Ancketill (1609-66) was the son of a minor gentry family from the Shaftesbury area of Dorset, who emigrated to Ireland about 1636 and built a house on what became the Ancketill’s Grove estate. His son, Matthew Ancketill (1651-89), who obtained a confirmatory grant of the estate from the Crown after the Restoration, is said to have built a new house on higher ground, and to have laid out an avenue of copper beeches leading to it. He was one of those included in James II’s Great Act of Attainder in 1689 but he was in fact already dead by the time it passed the Irish Parliament. His son, William Ancketill (1677-1709) died without issue and was succeeded by his brother, another Oliver Ancketill (1680-1760), who was perhaps the most prominent member of the family. Expected to be a younger son, he was educated for a career in the law, and obtained a doctorate from Trinity College, Dublin. It is not clear whether he continued a legal practice, but he served as MP for Monaghan and lived partly in Dublin, where he became a founder member of the Royal Dublin Society. His only son having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson, Charles Ancketill (1754-1828) who built the present house at Ancketill’s Grove when he came of age. Charles in turn was succeeded by his nephew, William Anketell (1790-1851), whose son Matthew John Anketell (1812-70), made the Italianate additions and alterations to the house and left it largely as it now stands. His son, William Ancketill (1851-1931), resumed the ancient spelling of his family name but sold the estate at some point around 1890.
Two of the younger sons of William Anketell (1790-1851) also acquired country houses. William Robert Ancketill (1820-89) married into the Ker family, and both he and his son, Amyatt William Ancketill (1853-1915) rented Quintin Castle on the coast of County Down from the Kers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fitz Ameline Maxwell Ancketill (b. 1825) inherited Killyfaddy from his maternal uncle in 1877 and it remained the property of his descendants until the early 1950s. William Ancketill (1851-1931) seems to have lived there after selling Ancketill’s Grove at the beginning of the 20th century, presumably as a tenant of his cousin, Reginald Ancketill (1861-1937).
Ancketill’s Grove, Emyvale, Monaghan
The Ancketill’s first house here is said to have been built about 1640 on low ground as the successor to a McKenna stronghold near the site. In the late 17th century it was rebuilt on higher ground at the head of a famous copper beech avenue.
Ancketill’s Grove
This second house was in turn replaced by the present building in about 1781. This began as a gable-ended house of five bays and two storeys with a projecting pedimented central bay, linked by single-storey quadrants to pedimented wings of two bays with Gothick sashes. The ground floor and wings are rendered but the upper floor is of pale ashlar blocks. The central bay is partly obscured by an exceptionally large early 19th century porch with a hipped roof and Tuscan doorcase, set well forward of the house and linked to the original entrance by a short passage. In about 1852 a bulky Italianate square tower with a low pyramid roof on wide eaves was added to the rear of the house, and the Gothick windows were given round heads, flat hoods and plate glass, robbing the house of much of the prettiness it once possessed; they have been replaced even more unsuccessfully since. Inside, several rooms were given ceilings of carved woodwork.
Descent: Granted c.1636 to Oliver Ancketill (1609-66); to son, Matthew Ancketill (1651-89); to son, William Ancketill (1677-1709); to brother, Oliver Ancketell (1680-1760); to grandson, Charles Ancketill (1754-1828); to nephew, William Anketell (1790-1851); to son, Matthew John Anketell (1812-70); to son, Matthew David Anketell (1841-72); to brother, William Ancketill (1851-1931), who sold c.1890 to Clement Kennedy Cordner; sold in 1920s to Patrick McKenna… sold 1970 to Laurence Clerkin (fl. 2019).
Ancketill, Capt. Oliver (1609-66), of Ancketill’s Grove. Son of William Ancketill of Shaftesbury (Dorset), born 12 November 1609. A Royalist, he settled in Ireland in 1636 and was a JP for Monaghan and High Sheriff of Monaghan in 1662. He married Rebecca (b. 1617), daughter of John Bullingbrooke, and had issue: (1) Sarah Ancketill; married, December 1660 or February 1663, Col. James Corry MP (d. 1718) of Castle Coole (Fermanagh) and had issue; (2) Elizabeth Ancketill (b. 1648); (3) Matthew Ancketill (1651-88) (q.v.); (4) William Ancketill (b. 1652), from whom the Anketells of Dernamuck (Monaghan) claim descent; (5) Richard Ancketill (b. 1654). He acquired the Ancketill’s Grove estate in 1636. He died 8 June 1666.
Ancketill, Matthew (1651-89), of Ancketill’s Grove. Eldest son of Capt. Oliver Ancketill (1609-66) of Ancketill’s Grove, and his wife Rebecca, daughter of John Bullingbrooke, born 1651. High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1682; included on the list of those attainted by the Great Act of Attainder in the Irish Parliament in 1689, though he was dead by then. He married, 1672, Matilda, daughter of Robert Moore of Ravella and Garvey (Tyrone) and had issue: (1) William Ancketill (1677-1709); High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1707; died without legitimate issue, 1709; (2) Oliver Ancketill (1680-1760) (q.v.); (3) Robert Ancketill; (4) Frederick Ancketill; (5) Bullingbrook Ancketill (fl. 1750); married and had issue; (6) Catherine Ancketill; married Thomas Singleton of Fort Singleton (Monaghan). His ownership of the Ancketill’s Grove estate was confirmed by letters patent in 1668. At his death the estate passed in turn to his sons William (d. 1709) and Oliver. He was killed at the Battle of Drumbanagher, 13 March 1688/9 and was buried at Donagh, but his body was later moved to Glaslough church.
Ancketill, Oliver (1680-1760), of Ancketill’s Grove. Second son of Matthew Ancketill (1651-88) and his wife Matilda, daughter of Robert Moore of Ravella and Garvey (Tyrone), born 1680. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1695; MA, LLD). High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1703; MP for Monaghan borough in the Irish Parliament, 1754-60; a founder member of the Royal Dublin Society. He married 1st, 28 February 1716, the Hon. Sarah (d. 1742), daughter of William Caulfeild, 2nd Viscount Charlemont, and 2nd, c.1760, Mrs. Anne Stephens (né Tuton), and had issue: (1.1) William Ancketill (1724-56) (q.v.). He inherited the Ancketill’s Grove estate from his elder brother in 1709; at his death it passed to his grandson. He died shortly after his second marriage, 27 May 1760. His first wife died in December 1742.
Ancketill, William (1724-56). Only son of Oliver Ancketill (1680-1760) and his first wife, the Hon. Sarah, daughter of William Caulfeild, 2nd Viscount Charlemont, born 18 March 1724. He married, 11 March 1748, Anne, eldest daughter of Charles Coote MP, of Coote Hill (Cavan) and sister of 1st Earl of Bellamont, and had issue: (1) Oliver Anketell (b. 1749), born December 1749; died young; (2) Charles Anketell (1754-1828) (q.v.); (3) Richard Anketell (1755-1814), married Margaret Cochrane (d. 1814) of Omagh (Tyrone) and had issue two sons and one daughter, who all emigrated to Canada; died the same day as his wife; (4) Matthew Anketell (1756-1828) (q.v.). He died in 1756.
Anketell, Charles (1754-1828), of Anketill’s Grove. Eldest surviving son of William Ancketill (1724-56) of Ancketill’s Grove and his wife Anne, daughter of Charles Coote MP of Coote Hill (Cavan), born 1754. He changed the spelling of his name from Ancketill to Anketell. He was unmarried and without issue. He inherited Ancketill’s Grove from his grandfather in 1760; at his death it passed to his nephew, William Anketell (1790-1851). He died 20 November 1828.
Anketell, Matthew (1756-1828), of Arlington Castle, Portarlington (Offaly). Youngest son of William Ancketill (1724-56) of Ancketill’s Grove and his wife Anne, daughter of Charles Coote MP of Coote Hill (Cavan), born 1756. Captain in 57th Regiment; High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1783; Lt-Col. of Monaghan Militia. Like his brother, he changed the spelling of his name from Ancketill to Anketell. He married 1st, Prudentia Martha (d. 1781), daughter of John Corry of Rockcorry, Cootehill (Monaghan) and 2nd, Mary (d. 1838), only child of Rev. Richard Norris DD and had issue: (1.1) Prudentia Catherine Anketell; died aged 8; (2.1) William Anketell (1790-1851) (q.v.); (2.2) Maria Anketell (d. 1842); died unmarried, 28 April 1842; (2.3) Matilda Anketell (d. 1819); died unmarried, 28 June 1819; (2.4) Caroline Anketell (d. 1817); married, 1817, Lt. Augustus Woodville Amyatt (?d. 1857) of Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and died three weeks later. He died 11 April 1828. His first wife died 7 October 1781. His widow died in August 1838.
Anketell, William (1790-1851) of Ancketill’s Grove. Only son of Matthew Anketell (1756-1828) of Arlington Castle, Portarlington (Offaly) and his second wife, Mary, daughter of Rev. Richard Norris, born 10 October 1790. DL and JP for Monaghan; High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1830. He married, 23 June 1809, Sarah (1792-1874), daughter of Lt-Col. John Charles Frederick Waring Maxwell MP of Finnebrogue (Down) and had issue: (1) Maj. Matthew John Anketell (1812-70) (q.v.); (2) Anne Dorothea Anketell (c.1813-91); married, 10 December 1833, Rev. Robert Loftus Tottenham (d. 1893), chaplain to HM Legation to Florence, son of Rt. Rev. Lord Robert Ponsonby Tottenham, bishop of Clogher, and had issue five sons and five daughters; died 16 October 1891; (3) Maria Anketell (c.1813-88); married, 5 December 1838, Rev. Sir John Richardson-Bunbury (1813-1909), 3rd bt. and had issue one son and two daughters; died March 1888; (4) William Robert Ancketill (1820-89) (q.v.); (5) Oliver Charles Anketell (1821-41), born 18 August 1821; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1839); Lieutenant in 37th Madras Infantry of East India Co.; diarist; died unmarried at Hong Kong, 13 July 1841; (6) Matilda Jane Anketell (1823-40), born 15 November 1823; died unmarried, 14 March 1840; (7) Fitz Ameline Maxwell Ancketill (b. 1825) of Killyfaddy, Clogher (Tyrone), born 14 April 1825; JP for Tyrone; High Sheriff of Tyrone, 1881; married, 8 November 1859 at Alexandria (Egypt), Laura Valetta (c.1830-1907), eldest daughter and co-heiress of Henry Ranking of Eaglehurst, Bathford (Somerset), co-manager of Bank of Egypt, and had issue three sons and one daughter; inherited Killyfaddy from his uncle in 1877; died after 1901; (8) Maxwell Ancketill (1826-88) of Leatherhead (Surrey), born 24 October 1826; married 1st, 29 September 1857, Julia Elizabeth (d. 1869), only surviving child of Gustavus Whitaker of St Petersburg (Russia) and had issue three sons and two daughters; and 2nd, 1879, Mary Louisa, third daughter of Henry Ranking of Eaglehurst, Bathford (Somerset), and died 22 February 1888; will proved 13 April 1888 (estate £243); (9) Moutray Ancketill (1829-99), born 18 April 1829; served in Royal Artillery (Lieutenant, 1848; Captain, 1854; retired, 1881); died unmarried, 3 April 1899. He inherited the Anketell’s Grove estate from his uncle in 1828. He died 23 April 1851. His widow died 2 April 1874.
Anketell, Maj. Matthew John (1812-70), of Ancketill’s Grove. Eldest son of William Anketell (1790-1851) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Lt-Col. John Charles Frederick Waring Maxwell MP of Finnebrogue (Down), born 31 October 1812. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1830). JP and DL for Monaghan; High Sheriff of Monaghan, 1834; Major in Monaghan militia. William Scoular exhibited a bust of him at the Royal Academy in 1839. He married, 6 February 1840, Catherine Frances Anne (d. 1887), elder daughter of David Ker MP of Portavo and Montalto (Down) and had issue: (1) Matthew David Anketell (1841-72), born at Douro (Portugal), 5 January 1841; actor, diarist and Egyptian hieroglyphist; died as a result of a fall from his horse, 17 July 1872; (2) Selina Sarah Anketell (1843-1921), born 10 April 1843; died unmarried, 2 December 1921; will proved 14 February 1922 (estate £4,029); (3) Ada Anketell (b. & d. 1844), born 8 and died 14 September 1844; (4) Frances Emmeline Anketell (1845-1916), born 8 October 1845; married 1st, 22 January 1867, Capt. Newton Haworth Wallace (d. 1870) of Royal Bengal Fusiliers, and 2nd, Clement Kennedy Cordner (d. 1905) of Greenmount, Muckamore (Antrim), but died without issue, 11 September 1916; will proved 21 November 1916 (estate £7,711); (5) Gertrude Madeline Anketell (1847-1915), born 20 May 1847; married, 1 July 1873, Anketell Moutray (d. 1927) of Favour Royal, Aughnacloy (Tyrone) and had issue; died 21 August 1915; administration of goods granted 27 November 1915 (estate £173); (6) Bertha Grace Pheobe Anketell (1849-98), born 25 February 1849; died unmarried, 10 January 1898; will proved 6 August 1900 (estate £2,739); (7) Oliver Frederick Anketell (1850-72), born 27 February 1850; died unmarried, 10 February 1872; administration of goods granted 5 March 1872 (estate under £1,000); (8) William Ancketill (1851-1931) (q.v.); (9) Octavia Mary Anketell (1852-1928), born 5 June 1852; married, 19 February 1879, Frederic Augustus Morse-Boycott (d. 1926) of Sennowe Park (Norfolk), son of John Hall Morse-Boycott of Sennowe Park and had issue; died 1 April 1928; will proved 7 June 1928 (estate £225); (10) Augusta Anketell (1854-1908), born 12 March 1854; died unmarried, 8 May 1908; will proved 17 February 1909 (estate £3,836); (11) Henry Ancketill (1855-1930) (q.v.); (12) Robert Waring Maxwell Anketell (1856-68), born 29 November 1856; died young, 15 May 1868. He inherited the Ancketill’s Grove estate from his father in 1851. At his death it passed in turn to his eldest son Matthew (d. 1872) and third son William. He died 8 May 1870. His widow died 28 February 1887; her will was proved 19 May 1887 (estate in England £7,431).
Ancketell, William (1851-1931), of Ancketill’s Grove. Third son of Matthew John Anketell (1812-70) and his wife Catherine Frances Anne, daughter of David Ker of Portavo and Montalto (Down), born 16 March 1851. Lieutenant in Royal Tyrone Fusiliers; a prominent freemason and a violinist. He married, 15 July 1875, Jean Laing (1852-1929), only daughter and co-heiress of Robert Falkner of Broughton Park (Lancs) and had issue: (1) Olive Maud Stannus Ancketell (1876-1909), born 29 October 1876; married 1st, 24 October 1901 (div.), Lt. Reginald George Petre Wymer, son of Capt. Reginald Augustus Wymer and had issue a daughter; married 2nd, 1 November 1907, Michael Linning Henry Melville, son of His Honour Robert Melville of Hartfield Grove (Sussex) and had issue a daughter; died 6 March 1909; her will was proved 26 June 1909 (estate £255). He inherited the Ancketill’s Grove estate from his elder brother in 1872, but mortgaged much of the land in the 1880s and sold the house c.1890. He and his wife lived latterly at Killyfaddy and Clatford House, Epsom (Surrey). He died 3 July 1931; his will was proved 21 November 1931 (estate £3,157). His wife died 9 November 1929; her will was proved 9 December 1929 (estate £96).
Ancketell, Henry (1855-1930). Fourth son of Matthew John Anketell (1812-70) and his wife Catherine Frances Anne, daughter of David Ker of Portavo and Montalto (Down), born 4 May 1855. Educated at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth; served in Royal Navy, 1868-75; then studied for the church but joined the Irish Land League; emigrated to USA and was a journalist on New York Standard, 1884-96; emigrated to South Africa, 1896; Member of Legislative Assembly of Natal, 1901-07, and (with Gandhi) promoted the cause of indentured Indian labour in Africa; poet and lecturer; married, 7 December 1900, Oona (d. 1955), daughter of Joseph Reeson of Durban, Natal (South Africa), artist and founder of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in South Africa, and had issue: (1) Matthew David Ancketell (b. 1907), born 27 December 1907; educated at South African Collegiate School, Cape Town; served in WW2 with South African Coastal Defence Force; manager of Life Assurance Co. in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, 1924-63; hon. Treasurer of South African Red Cross, 1945-70; Chairman of Sheltered Employment Factory, 1946-70; hon. Treasurer of South African Council of Churches, Port Elizabeth, 1958-70; Fellow of Institute of Commence and Administration of South Africa; married 1st, 30 May 1933 (div. 1957), Brenda, daughter of Capt. George Calcutt of Glasgow and Melbourne (Australia) and had issue one son and one daughter; married 2nd, 12 December 1958, Anne Bell, daughter of Patrick Arnot Anderson of Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and formerly of Coupar Angus (Perths); (2) Henry George Ancketell (1911-81) of Croydon (Surrey), born 5 January 1911; educated at South African Collegiate School, Cape Town; after a varied career in the theatre, films, insurance and the motor trade, he served in WW2 and was later a practitioner in metaphysics and spiritual healing; married 1st, November 1936 (div. 1944), Doreen Gunstone (d. 1971), author (as Dorothy Burnham), and had issue one son; married 2nd, 16 September 1944 (div. 1960), Barbara Mary, daughter of John Edwin Andrews of Manor House Farm, Foxton (Leics) and had issue one son and two daughters; died 1981. He died 22 June 1930. His widow died 8 May 1955.
Ancketill, William Robert (1820-89) of Quintin Castle, Portaferry (Down). Younger son of William Anketell (1790-1851) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Lt-Col. John Charles Frederick Waring Maxwell MP, born 31 March 1820. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1838). JP for Monaghan and Capt. in Monaghan militia; author of novels of Irish life. John Edward Jones exhibited a bust of him at the Royal Academy in 1852. He married, 8 October 1844, Madelina Selina (d. 1878), daughter of David Ker MP of Portavo, Donaghadee and Montalto (Down), and had issue: (1) Edith Matilda Ancketill (1845-1928), born 5 November 1845; married 1st, 8 August 1871, Thomas John Knox (d. 1875), second son of Most Rev. Robert Knox DD, Archbishop of Armagh and had issue a daughter; married 2nd, 20 February 1880, Capt. John Lewis Vaughan Henry, 2nd Dragoon Guards, eldest son of Mitchell Henry of Kylemore Castle (Galway) and had further issue; died 9 July 1928; (2) Constance Ancketill (1847-1914), born 10 October 1847; died unmarried, 11 June 1914; administration granted 25 September 1914 (estate £1,668); (3) Ada Ancketill (1850-1937), born 27 February 1850; died unmarried, 22 January 1937; will proved 24 May 1937 (estate £2,945); (4) Amyatt William Ancketill (1853-1915), born 1 August 1853; Lieutenant in 83rd Foot; died unmarried, 20 August 1915; will proved, 3 December 1915 (estate £742) (5) David Fitz Ameline Robert Ancketill (1855-85), born 27 May 1855; served in Army as Lieutenant in 1st Royal Scots and took part in Afghan War of 1880 and Egyptian War of 1882; later served in 3rd Belooch Regiment of Native Infantry in India and died unmarried at Karachi, 26 August 1885; (6) Celia Selina Ancketill (1857-83), born 2 September 1857; died unmarried, 18 October 1883; (7) William Frederick Ancketill (b. & d. 1858), born 28 February and died 14 December 1858. He leased Quintin Castle from the Ker family. He died in London, 9 March 1889. His wife died on 8 April 1878.
Sources
Burke’s Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 18-20; M. Bence-Jones, Country Houses of Ireland, 1988; E.P. Shirley, History of the County of Monaghan, 1879
Ardfry, Abbey, or House, Oranmore, Co Galway – ruin
Ardfry, County Galway, entrance front c. 1870. Copy photograph: David Davison. Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.
Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 9. “(Blake/IFR) A long, two storey house probably of ca. 1770 on a peninsula jutting out into Galway Bay where previously there had been a castle which, during the Civil War, Sir Richard Blake garrisoned in the service of Charles I. Principal front of nine bays with a central pediment and a higher, pyramidal-roofed pavilion at either end. On the front face of each pavilion is a two storey curved bow roof with a shallow half-dome. Hall with alcoves supported by pairs of columns edmbeeded in the wall. Dorothea Herbert and a cousin called here in 1784 during the celebrations for the wedding of Joseph Blake, afterwards the Lord Wallscourt, to a daughter of the Earl of Louth; when an unfortunate incident was caused by the cousin’s dog (to which he was in the habit of feeding “ripe peaches and apricots”) “dirtying the room and Lord Louth’s blindly stepping into it.” At the time of 3rd Lord Wallscourt’s marriage to the beautiful Bessie Lock 1822, the house had been empty for some years and was very dilapidated; at first they thought it was beyond repair, but then they decided to restore it; the work was completed by 1826. It was probably then that the house was given its few mild Gothic touches: a pointed entrance doorway with pinnacles beneath a quatrefoil window; battlements on the end pavilions; and a Gothic conservatory with stone piers. The rather strange four storey block at teh back of teh house which has hood mouldings over its small windows may either have been built, or re-faced, at this time. The 3rd Lord Wallscourt, a man of exceptional strength and often very violent, liked walking about the house naked; his wife persuaded him to carry a cowbell when he was in this state so as to warn the maidservant of his approach. In the early years of the present century, the 2nd wife of 4th Lord Wallscourt sold the lead off the roof to pay her gambling debts; so that the house gradually fell into ruin. It was recently re-roofed and re-windowed so as to be used for the film Macintosh Man; now, wiht the film-property roof a skeleton and the windows falling out, the house seems like the ghost of what it was in an earlier stage of its decay.”
Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.
Ardfry House, County Galway, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
Roofless remains of detached two-storey over basement double-pile country house, built c.1780, renovated c.1820, now roofless. Comprising central block having nine bays to front and six bays to rear, having two-bay two-storey towers of c.1820 terminating each end, projecting slightly to front of front pile and having two-bay two-storey bows to front elevations. Further single-bay three-storey block to north-east re-entrant corner. Towers have crenellated parapets with quatrefoils to centre, and decorative carved stone pinnacles to corners. Rendered chimneystacks. Rendered rubble limestone walls with limestone render string course to eaves and moulded render eaves and sill courses to towers. Square-headed chamfered window openings with stone sills. Label-mouldings to windows of four westmost bays of rear elevation, and moulded quatrefoil opening above front entrance. No frames survive. Upper windows to north elevation have moulded heads and upper jambs of medieval limestone work, that to tower having decorative vegetal detailing. Pointed arch door opening with carved limestone doorcase and flaning clustered columns, with ogee detail above having decorative pinnacle, and with moulded lintel to doorway proper. Remains of courtyard to rear, with pseudo-three-centred arched carriage opening with cut-stone voussoirs to north wall. Set outside Oranmore village on a peninsula jutting into Galway Bay.
Appraisal
Built in the late eighteenth century on the site of an earlier castle owned by the Blakes, Ardfry House has been much altered and added to during its life. The first documented restoration was completed in 1826 when some features were added in the then fashionable Gothic Revival style, including pinnacles, crenellations and the quatrefoil window above the entrance door. The house was residence to Lord Wallscourt, about whom it is said that liked to roam naked and was made to wear a cowbell by his wife to warn the maids of his approach. The house received another brief facelift during the early 1970s when it was re-roofed and refenestrated for use in the Paul Newman film, ‘The Mackintosh Man’. Now ruinous, it nonetheless creates an interesting eyecatcher in the landscape.
Ardfry House, County Galway, photograph courtesy of National Inventory.
The building is a roofless shell. None of the original fabric remains other than the external walls. It is suffering from structural problems that could lead to full or partial collapse, and there is an immediate threat of further deterioration.
The house dates to circa 1770 and belonged to the Blake Family with later alterations. It adjoins the earlier medieval castle. The house has been in ruins since the mid 20th century. A development for works at this site was granted permission in 2004 by Galway County Council, however, this has not proceeded. The structure is of significant historic importance and requires conservation works to prevent further deterioration.
Recommended Use
Conservation
Featured in Mark Bence Jones, Life in an Irish Country House. Constable, London. 1996.
Now a ruin.
The land was garrisoned by Richard Blake in the service of Charles I. In about 1770 Joseph Blake built a new house here.
Archaeologist describes removal of stone from Gothic-style ruin Ardfry, once home to Irish literary revival figure Valentine Blake, as ‘wanton vandalism’
April 16, 2013 by Lorna Siggins.
“Galway County Council has issued the owners of a late 18th century Gothic-style mansion with an enforcement notice, following demolition of part of its ruined structure.
The local authority has ordered immediate cessation of any further “unauthorised” work at the listed building, which was once home of Irish literary revival figure Valentine Blake, and has directed the owners to consult with the county council heritage and conservation offices on remedial works.
It warns the owners, Kathleen and William Greaney of Cregboy, Claregalway, Co Galway, that they may be guilty of an offence if steps outlined by it are not taken.
The removal of stone from the two-storey ruin overlooking Galway Bay was witnessed by archaeologist Michael Gibbons who has described it as “wanton vandalism”. He reported it to the Office of Public Works, the local authority and Birdwatch Ireland. He has also contacted the Royal Irish Academy, urging it to place the destruction of monuments by “public and private bodies” on its agenda.
Ardfry was built in 1770 by Joseph Blake on whom was conferred the title of Lord Wallscourt. It was designed as a two-storey house with nine bays, a central pediment to the front and a raised roofed pavilion at either end. It was built on the site of an earlier medieval castle owned by the Blakes, one of the tribes of Galway.
It was renovated in 1826 and updated with some gothic features including a pointed entrance doorway with pinnacles, battlements on the end pavilions and a gothic conservatory with stone piers.
The home fell into ruin after the fourth earl’s second wife reputedly gambled away the family money. Architectural historian Tarquin Blake, author of Abandoned Mansions of Ireland and an associated website, says it had many eccentric owners, including one who was known to walk around naked
carrying a cowbell to “forewarn the maids”.
In 1950, the fourth earl’s three granddaughters reclaimed the house and 33 acres of the esstate, and lived in an outhouse close to the ruin. It was used as a set for the Paul Newman film, The Mackintosh Man, in the 1970s, when it was given a new roof and windows and then burned for the film’s purposes.
The land and property was valued at about £1.6 million (sterling) when put up for sale in 2001, and was listed for sale again several times.
The new owners were granted planning permission for holiday apartments, but this has expired.
The ruin, which is a nesting site for owls and is frequented by herons and egrets, is on a peninsula which is rich in archaeological sites, including one of the largest kitchen middens on Galway Bay.
Mr Gibbons says the house was almost certainly built on the medieval castle site, and describes the area as an “archaeological park”. An experimental oyster farm was established at Ardfry in 1902.
“The destruction highlights the lack of protection afforded to our architectural heritage – even on high-profile sites such as this with their rich literary and scientific background,” he says.
Irish landlords, that small band of men who once owned the greater part of the country, do not enjoy a good reputation here. Judged to have been rapacious and, still worse in the popular imagination, foreign, it cannot be denied that many of their number often put personal interest ahead of concern for the condition of tenants, with disastrous results following the onset of the potato blight in the mid-1840s. However, it would be wrong to tar all landlords with the same blackening brush, since there were a few of them who sought to improve circumstances on their property. Among this unusual group, none was more out of the ordinary than Joseph Henry Blake, third Lord Wallscourt, of Ardfry, County Galway. The Blakes were one of the Tribes of Galway, fourteen merchant families who dominated life in the western city from the 13th century onwards. They liked to claim descent from Ap-Lake, one of the knight’s of King Arthur’s round table, but in fact they were originally called Caddell, the first of them coming to Ireland in the 12th century with Strongbow: in the early 14th century Richard Caddell, Sheriff of Connacht in 1303, was known as Niger or Black, from which the name Blake evolved. Like others among the Galway Tribes, the Blakes soon began to acquire land in the surrounding area, a process that accelerated from the late 1500s onwards. Thus in May 1612 Robert Blake of Galway received a grant by letters patent from James I of Ballinacourt (later Wallscourt) and Ardfry, both in County Galway, as well as additional property in County Mayo. His eldest son Richard Blake, a lawyer by training, was knighted in 1624, served as Mayor of Galway 1627-28, and M.P. for the County of Galway in 1639 before becoming Speaker or Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Irish Confederation which sat at Kilkenny from 1647 to 1649. Although the Blakes subsequently lost their lands during the Cromwellian confiscations, they received them back after the Restoration and remained in possession thereafter, basing themselves at Ardfry which lies on the southern shores of Galway Bay.
Sir Richard Blake’s direct descendants died out in 1744 but a kinsman, Joseph Blake bought the estates from trustees and moved to Ardfry where around 1770 he built a house on the site of an old castle. The new property was long and low, at least nine bays wide and of two storeys over basement, with pyramidal pavilions at either end. Here in 1787 came the Hon Martha Herbert, wife of the rector of Cashel-on-Suir, County Tipperary, together with her daughter Dorothea (author of the celebrated Retrospections published a century after her death). On arrival they found ‘a large party of grandees’ whom Dorothea judged to be a ‘formidable set’ and were informed by their hostess that at Ardfry ‘they seldom or ever sat down to a meal with less than a hundred in family’, the latter term being used more loosely then than would now be the case. Hitherto the Blakes had remained Roman Catholic but Joseph’s son, Joseph Henry Blake conformed to established church and was thus able to stand for election to the Irish parliament, to which he was elected in 1790. He retained his seat until the Act of Union a decade later and having voted in favour of this legislation was rewarded with a peerage, becoming Baron Wallscourt of Ardfry. However, his marriage to an heiress, Lady Louisa Bermingham, daughter of the first Earl of Louth, did not produce a son and so it was arranged that the title would devolve by special remainder to one of his nephews. Thus following his death in 1803 at the age of 37, Joseph Blake, son of the first Baron’s younger brother, became second Lord Wallscourt. The latter in turn dying in 1816 aged 19, his cousin Joseph Henry Blake (son of another of the first Baron’s brothers) became third Lord Wallscourt.
Although he had grown up at Ardfry where his father served as land agent, the new Lord Wallscourt had not expected to inherit the estate. At the time of his cousin’s death he was just eighteen and serving as a lieutenant in the army which he had joined after leaving Eton three years earlier. It is often stated that on coming into the title he immediately indulged in reckless spending but one must wonder how much there was to squander: Dorothea Herbert’s observations indicate that the late 18th century Blakes were already living beyond their means, and around 1795 more than 1,500 acres of the original estate (including the townland of Wallscourt) was offered for sale, while another parcel of land was also put on the market. What remained was some 2,834 statute acres (the greater part of it at Ardfry) yielding a notional annual rental of £3,200, although this always depended on the ability and preparedness of tenants to pay what was expected. Lord Wallscourt had financial obligations to meet regardless of actual revenue: various family members and retainers were entitled to an income for the duration of their respective lifetimes to an annual total of £800, and there was a further £7,000 owing, mostly to relatives. Thus the young peer would have found he had little enough to fritter away, especially after 1820 when creditors had the estate placed in trust so as to maximise income and pay off all debts. Under the new arrangement Lord Wallscourt was permitted a yearly allowance of £500. Thankfully a couple of years later he married a 17-year old English heiress, Elizabeth Lock who was beautiful as well as rich and who would be painted by a family friend, Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1825: this portrait hung in Ardfry until the last century. That same year she and her husband, who had now regained control of his estate, came to look at Ardfry which had been sadly neglected and required extensive renovation. ‘The woods and the walks are certainly very pretty,’ Lady Wallscourt wrote to her mother, ‘and some of the trees very old and remind me of those poor dear old woods at Norbury, but the house is even in a worse state than I had expected, and you know I was not prepared to find grand chose. The building at a distance looks very well and is very handsome, but it seems to me impossible anything can be done to it. There is so much to do, repairing and building, to make it all inhabitable, that I am sure Wallscourt will not attempt it.’ Contrary to expectations, her husband did undertake the necessary work and by the end of the following year, after the building had been given some of the gothic flourishes it retains to this day, the couple moved in with their young children, the occasion marked by a ball given for the servants and tenants. At this event, after some initial hesitancy on the part of the guests, ‘the great decorum and silence gave place to the most violent noise and rioting as they grew merrier, and they danced incessantly to a piper till five. They had enormous suppers of a whole sheep and two or three rounds of beef, and all went home mad drunk with drinking Henry’s health in “the cratur”, as they call whisky.’ Lady Wallscourt soon retired upstairs and allowed the nurse in charge of the children to join the throng where she became ‘quite the life of the party…springing and capering about in a most ludicrous way.’
And now let us touch briefly on efforts by Lord Wallscourt to improve the circumstances of his tenants. When travelling about Europe as a young man and through meeting sundry liberal thinkers of the period, he had become impressed by ‘some of the theories, then much debated, for lifting the labourer into the position of a partner with the capitalist.’ Following his return to Ireland, in 1831 he was interested to hear how the County Clare landlord and founder of the Hibernian Philanthropic Society John Scott Vandeleur had invited Manchester-born journalist and proto-socialist Edward Thomas Craig to establish a co-operative community on his own estate at Ralahine. This was duly visited by Lord Wallscourt who found much to engage him and having sent his overseer to study the system in more detail he set aside 100 acres at Ardfry for his own socialist experiment. Even if begun on a smaller scale, the scheme fared better and lasted longer than that at Ralahine (which Vandeleur, who was addicted to gambling, managed to lose in a bet in 1833, after which he fled to America leaving his poor former tenants to fend for themselves against unmerciless creditors). Lord Wallscourt also embarked on other philanthropic enterprises seeking to establish both a national school and an agricultural school as well as sponsoring the education of a number of boys in England and even as far away as Switzerland. He sought to improve the living conditions of tenants, building a two-storey slate-roofed house built as a model to replace the existing thatched cabins of the area. However it proved impossible to find anyone prepared to move into the new property, tenants apparently explaining ‘it would be mighty cold, and my Lord would be expecting me to keep it too clean.’ Eventually after standing empty for five years, a newly-wed couple took the place, on the grounds that it was ‘better than nothing at all.’ During the terrible years of the famine, Lord Wallscourt worked to ensure the well-being of his own tenants, and those on other estates in the area. He sat on a number of relief committees and on the Galway Board of Guardians, where he was critical of the operation of the poor law system and of his fellow guardians, who, he said, seemed ‘little disposed to transact the business for the discharge of which they were elected’. In 1847 he actively associated himself for the first time with the campaign for tenant rights and employed the distinguished agriculturalist Thomas Skilling (later first Professor of Agriculture at Queen’s University, Galway) to create a new tillage project employing labourers and tenants at Ardfry. He even started to establish an agricultural college on the estate.
One suspects that Lord Wallscourt, however well-intentioned, did not tolerate opposition from his tenants or indeed from anyone else. Evidence for this was provided by his wife when she sought a divorce in 1846 ‘by reason of his cruelty and adultery,’ citing several instances when her husband had assaulted her. He was known to be a man of considerable strength and when young had been a keen boxer (more peculiarly he liked to walk about his house wearing no clothes: eventually Lady Wallscourt persuaded him carry a cowbell in his hand when nude so maidservants had notice of his imminent arrival). The couple suffered the loss of their two elder sons, and it was only during a brief rapprochement in late 1840 that an eventual heir was conceived. It may be that Lady Wallscourt did not care for her husband’s humanitarian enterprises. What, one wonders, must she have made for the welcome he gave to the 1848 Paris insurrection that led to the final overthrow of the French monarchy: he even presided at a celebratory public rally in Dublin. The following year he visited Paris with his young son and while there died after contracting cholera. His estranged wife now regained control, since the boy Erroll Augustus Blake was then aged only seven. The co-operative projects at Ardfry were abandoned and more familiar methods of estate management re-instated. On the other hand, upon reaching maturity the fourth Lord Wallscourt followed the parental example and undertook diverse improvements, most notably the establishment of an oyster fishery in Galway Bay which provided local employment. In other respects however, he could not be compared with his father, being so small in stature that he was known in the vicinity as ‘the lordeen’: Nationalist politician T.P. O’Connor later remembered meeting ‘a tiny little man, sad, deprecatory, almost timid in manner.’ This may have been because he was oppressed by money worries, especially after his second marriage. His new wife turned out to be a hopeless gambler: in the early years of the last century the lead was stripped from Ardfry’s roof to pay her debts and the contents – including that lovely portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence – sold. Nor did the Wallscourt peerage survive much longer: the fourth lord was succeeded in 1918 by his only son who died without children just two years later. And so we see Ardfry as it stands today, a shell of a monument to an abandoned social and agricultural experiment. Who knows what might yet have happened here had the third Lord Wallscourt not died in Paris in 1849, and what example it might have given to other landlords in Ireland. The shame is that his efforts to improve the lives of the country’s tenants are today so little known, and the estate on which he carried out his endeavours has been allowed to fall into such disrepair, the trees and hedges cut down, the walls tumbled, the outbuildings and estate cottages gone or, the the main house, little more than four walls. Dorothea Herbert called Ardfry ‘a beautiful place’ and Griffith’s Valuation of 1857 refers to a ‘beautiful and picturesque demesne, well planted with forest and ornamental timber.’ There’s little enough beauty here now.
For more information on the third Lord Wallscourt, I recommend John Cunningham’s truly excellent essay (to which I am much indebted) ‘Lord Wallscourt of Ardfry (1797-1849)’ in Vol. LVII (2005) of the Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
Ardrey House was built in 1770 by by Joseph Blake, who later gained the title of Lord Wallscourt. This title became synonymous with the house that has now fallen to ruins. The Wallscourts lived there until the second wife of the fourth Earl frittered away all the family money on gambling. She even sold the lead of every roof on the estate. The mansion was left empty and much of the contents stolen – a grand piano was later rescued from a barber’s shop. In 1922 the Walscourt title became extinct, but in 1950 the three granddaughters of the fourth Earl succeeded in legally reclaiming the house and 33 acres of the family estate. These three Blake sisters, known locally as the three gay mice lived in an outhouse close to the ruin. The family coat of arms, rescued from the ruin reads VIRTUS SOLA NOBILITAT, Virtue Alone Enobles.
Ardfry was designed as a two-storey house with nine bays, a central pediment to the front and a raised roofed pavilion at either end. It was renovated in 1826 and updated with some gothic features including a pointed entrance doorway with pinnacles, battlements on the end pavilions and a gothic conservatory with stone piers.
Ardfry (which means The Height of the Heather) has had a colourful past, thanks to many of its eccentric owners, one of whom was known to walk around the house naked carrying a cowbell to forewarn the maids.
At the time of Griffith’s Valuation it was being leased by the trustees of Lord Wallscourt’s estate to Pierce Joyce when it was valued at £60.
Ardfry House was used in the Paul Newman film, The Mackintosh Man, when the house was re-roofed and re-windowed, and then burnt – destroying many remnants of the internal features.
The lands also contain the ruins of an earlier castle, previously home to the Blakes, one of the 14 `tribes’ of Galway.
In September 2001 the property and land was for sale in the region of £1.6 million
The estate was again for sale in 2004, and also in 2006 with planning permission.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for redevelopment of the site – the development can only be used for the purpose of holiday apartments.
Thankfully it appears changes to the original development plans have been made to ensure that the aesthetics of the original building are maintained. Other conditions include having an archaeologist and conservationist on site during the works and liaising with the local authority on materials used in the project.
In August 2008 it appears no work has commenced on the proposed redevelopment of the site.
Ardfry Castle dates to approx. 1770 and was built by Joseph Blake, member of the famous Blake Family, who later gained the title of Lord Wallscourt.
Ardfry was designed as a two-storey house with nine bays but was later renovated in 1826 to include gothic features and became adjoined to an earlier medieval castle on the lands.
The Wallscourt title became synonymous with the house where the Wallscourts lived there until the second wife of the fourth Earl gambled away all the family money. It was told that she even sold the lead of every roof on the estate in order to feed her gambling problem.
The house fell to ruins and in 1922 the Wallscourt title became extinct. However in 1950, three granddaughters of the fourth Earl were successful in legally reclaiming the house. They were known locally as the three gay mice who lived in an outhouse close to the ruins.
In later years, Ardfry House was used in the Paul Newman film, The Mackintosh Man, where the house was temporarily rebuilt and then burnt, destroying many internal features which remained
Lewis mentions the seat of Lord Wallscourt in the parish of Oranmore but refers to it as Wallscourt rather than Ardfry, which is actually located in the parish of Ballynacourty. The Ordnance Survey Name books mention it as Ardfry House, the residence of Lord Wallscourt At the time of Griffith’s Valuation it was being leased by the trustees of Lord Wallscourt’s estate to Pierce Joyce when it was valued at £60. The house was built in the late 18th century and altered in 1826. The seat of Lord Wallscourt in 1894 and in 1906. It has been in a derelict state since the mid-20th century. In 2006 it was offered for sale as part of a scheme to create luxury apartments in the building.
Ever fancied yourself as an Irish Sleeping Beauty? We’ve got just the thing.
The next Allsop residential auction takes place on Tuesday 21st of April, and while most of us are struggling to make our rent not to mind a 20 per cent deposit for a home – it’s fun to dream about owning an 18th century castle with 28.8 acres in Galway.
Amongst the 331 properties going under the hammer in the auction is Ardfry House in Oranmore.
The detached period residence was built in 1770 by Joseph Blake, who later gained the title of Lord Wallscourt. The Wallscourts lived there until the second wife of the fourth Earl lost the family money through gambling and even sold the lead of every roof on the estate. The mansion was left empty and much of the contents stolen – a grand piano was later rescued from a barber’s shop. In 1922 the Walscourt title became extinct, but in 1950 the three granddaughters of the fourth Earl succeeded in legally reclaiming the house and 33 acres of the family estate. These three Blake sisters were known locally as the three gay mice and lived in an outhouse close to the ruin.
Ardfry was designed as a two-storey house with nine bays, a central pediment to the front and a raised roofed pavilion at either end. It was renovated in 1826 and updated with some gothic features including a pointed entrance doorway with pinnacles, battlements on the end pavilions and a gothic conservatory with stone piers.
The lands also contains the ruins of an earlier castle, previously home to the Blakes, one of the 14`tribes’ of Galway.
If you have couple of million to spare, you could be owning a piece of movie history too. Ardfry House was used in the Paul Newman film, The Mackintosh Man, when the house was re-roofed and re-windowed, and then burnt – destroying many remnants of the internal features.
Planning permission was granted by Galway County Council in 2004 to develop Ardfry House into luxury holiday apartments which has now lapsed.
This property is offered with an orchard, stone cottages and various outbuildings.
The residential auction will be held on Tuesday 21stApril commencing at 9am and the Commercial auction will begin at 10am on Thursday 23rd April. Both auctions will take place at the RDS, Merrion Road, Dublin.
The story of the House at Ardfry Co. Galway and of the Lords Wallscourt who lived there. Less
The Blake Family built the magnificent Ardfry House close to Oranmore County Galway Ireland around 1770. The family became the Barons Wallscourt shortly afterwards and for over a century were the landlords of the area of Ardfry. Changes of fortune overcame the family until the title became extinct around 1920. This is the story of the family, largely from newspaper accounts,and of their time at Ardfry.
Irish Historic Houses 