Cangort, Shinrone, Co Offaly

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. 55. [Atkinson] The seat of the Atkinson family 1600-1957. Original castle beseiged and destroyed by Cromwellian forces and the family fled. They returned at the Restoration and built a house on the right of the castle, which was subsequently altered from time to time; 2 very small rooms from the castle surviving at the back of the present house. The front of the house was rebuilt in early Victorian Tudor-Gothic, being finished 1850; with steep pointed gables and plain mullioned windows.“

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/14942022/cangort-house-cangort-demesne-co-offaly

Detached Jacobean style country house, built c.1870, incorporating earlier house visible from the rear and built on the site of Cangort Castle, destroyed in the seventeenth century. Three-bay two-storey principal elevation with projecting gabled bay and gabled entrance porch. South-facing side elevation has gabled end bays. Pitched slate roofs with tall rendered chimneystacks with moulded brick cornices. Punched ashlar limestone south-facing elevation and to projecting gables to front and rear elevations with heraldic plaques, corbelled eaves course and surmounted by finials. Ruled-and-lined render to remaining elevations. Square-headed window openings to front and south-facing side elevations with box-bay windows with transom and mullion windows to ground floor and square-headed mullion windows to first floor. Round-headed window openings to rear elevation with timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings elsewhere with timber sash windows and limestone sills. Tudor arched door opening to gabled entrance porch with limestone hoodmoulding and timber and glazed door. Ranges of single- and two-storey outbuildings in yard to north of house. Walled garden to north-west of house with random coursed walls. Ruined three-bay single-storey structure to rear of walled garden with pointed-arched door opening. Site accessed through decorative cast-iron gates and railings to road. 

Appraisal 

Cangort Castle, once residence of the Atkinson family, was destroyed by Cromwellian forces in the seventeenth century. The present appearance of the house dates to a nineteenth-century remodeling of an earlier eighteenth-century house, an elevation of which survives to the rear of the present structure and retains distinctly eighteenth-century round-headed windows. The Jacobean style is expressed in the tall narrow gabled elevations with finals and elaborately carved kneelers and the large limestone transom and mullion windows. There are three heraldic plaques on the house, one to the projecting gable to the front of the house and two on the south-facing elevation. The ornate plaques are skillfully executed and add artistic interest to the site. A small single-storey structure to the rear of the walled garden survives as a ruin. Its pointed-arched door opening suggests an ecclesiastical function, perhaps a small chapel. The main house together with the outbuildings, elegant entrance gate and long avenue, walled garden and former gate lodges form an interesting group of related structures. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/14942023/cangort-house-cangort-demesne-co-offaly

Detached three-bay single-storey former gate lodge to Cangort House, built c.1870, with modern extension to rear. Located in a wooded area in the former demesne. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystack and decorative bargeboards. Rendered walls with limestone corbelled eaves course. Pointed-arched window openings with decorative tooled limestone surrounds comprising limestone transom, sill and hoodmoulding with fanlight and timber casement window. Square-headed door opening with timber panelled and glazed door. 

Appraisal 

Though no longer in use as a gate lodge, its form, scale and decorative treatment make its original function immediately recognisable. The pointed-arched window opening with particularly fine tooled limestone surrounds and hoodmoulding contribute to the significance of the structure. This gate lodge together with the Cangort House and ancillary structures form an interesting group of related demesne structures.  

http://www.grantonline.com/grant-family-individuals/places/cangort/cangort.htm 

Cangort, originally Camgart, i.e., the marshy field, has been the seat of the Atkinsons since the time of James I. Cangort Castle, was destroyed by Cromwellian forces in the seventeenth century. The present appearance of the house dates to a nineteenth-century remodeling of an earlier eighteenth-century house, an elevation of which survives to the rear of the present structure and retains distinctly eighteenth-century round-headed windows. Cangort House was the seat of the Atkinson family from 1600 to 1957. Is an important building with a sightly ungainly exterior almost identical to Bellair. Internally it is very finely planned and has a well finished interior. The farm buildings include a range of stables and a huge barn.  

Anthony Atkinson, of Cangort, married, 1709, Mary, daughter of Admiral John Guy, who is said to have been instrumental in breaking the boom at the siege of Derry; he was M.P. for St. Johnstown, 1711-13, and for Belfast, 1713-14, and died in 1743, leaving numerous issue. His eldest son having died in his lifetime, he was succeeded by Guy, the second, but he , being a beneficed clergyman in the North of Ireland,Cangort was long occupied by Charles, a younger son, who acted as agent for his brother. This Charles was ancestor of the branch now settled at Ashley Park, Co. Tipperary, while the present owner of Cangort if descended from the Rev. Guy. One of their sisters married Francis Sanderson, ancestor of the late Colonel Edward James Sanderson, of Castle Saunderson, M.P. Source: F.R. Montgomery Hitchcock The Midland Septs and the Pale (1908)  

Lewis 1837 records “Cangort, the residence of G. Atkinson, Esq., a handsome mansion erected on the site of the ancient castle;” 

Atkinson, Guy Newcomen, of Cangort, eldest son of Guy, of Cangort, (born 1800, died 1859), by Anne Margaret, daughter of William Trench, Cangort Park, born 1847; married 1877, Frances E., daughter of The Hon. Lawrence Harman King-Harman, Rockingham, Roscommon. Has with other children, Guy Montague, born 1882. Was educated at the Royal Military College. Is J.P, for County and Lieut.-Colonel Shropshire Regt. 

Lt.-Col. Guy Newcomen Atkinson lived in Cangort. Lt.-Col. Guy Newcomen Atkinson married Frances Elizabeth King-Harman, daughter of Hon. Laurence Harman King-Harman and Mary Cecilia Johnstone, on 19 July 1877. He died on 10 February 1890. 

The Grant first appear in Shinrone records in 1797. Three brothers aged about 25/35 – Stephen, John and William – arrived at that date, settled in the parish and raised families. As the Shinrone records run from 1741 we can be sure that there were no Grants in the parish any earlier.  

Both my great-grandfather (Thomas) and by grandfather (Charles) said that the family came from Waterford and Cork to near Cashel. Mrs Whitford of Stream Cottage, Aghancon said her great-grandfather William Grant had said that they came from near Goolds Cross, Co Tipp (i.e. Moyaliff). Ireland was very violent at this time, and it is likely that the Grants moved to Shinrone as it was then a Protestant area. Family lore has it that they had their cattle maimed and that made them move. Interestingly the family remaining in Moyaliff turned Catholic around 1810, perhaps their way of reducing the problems of life, perhaps because of a lack of Protestant marriage parners. The continuing links with Moyaliff can be seen with Mary Grant’s marriage in 1812 to a man from Glenkeen. 

Shinrone was referred to as a hot bed of Orangeism during the demonstrations for and against Catholic emancipation in 1828. A large gathering of Green Boys tried to march on Shinrone which was defended by the army. They were only talked out of it at the last minute, bloodshed was averted. 

By 1831 only 5% of the total population of Co Tipperary was Protestant. But Borrisokane and Cloughjordan parishes had the largest concentration of Protestants ( over 20% in each parish were Protestant) 

The church records are good, and we can see where they lived and what children were born. The family were very prolific with ten to twelve children being the norm. They then stayed in the immediate area until the famine forced them to move in the 1840’s 

Stephen was the first to arrive in 1797, followed by John in 1801 and William in 1812. I suspect that none of them produced their complete families in Shinrone, but the records for Moyaliff do not exist, so we do not know what happened there.  

There is a John Grant on the Poor List of Shinrone Parish in 1811 and 1812, when he is getting relief from the parish.  

The Tithe Commission Book 1824 gives 3 Grants in the area 

• John of Towra 8 acres from Chas Atkinson 

• John of Gurtgreen 5 acres from Lord Ross 

• Thomas Grant of Modreeny 4 acres from Lord Dunally 

SOLD 24 Jul 2018 

€461,538 

https://landedfamilies.blogspot.com/search/label/Ireland?updated-max=2017-02-19T16:18:00Z&max-results=20&start=23&by-date=false

Atkinson of Cangort and Ashley Park 

Anthony Atkinson (d. 1626) was a junior officer in the army who received a grant of lands in Co. Offaly and built a fortified residence known as Cangort Castle. During the Civil War the castle was garrisoned for the king but captured by Cromwellian troops and slighted. Anthony Atkinson (1630-63) recovered the estate at the Restoration and a new house was built adjoining the castle ruins. Information about the family is very sketchy before the time of a third Anthony Atkinson (c.1680-1743), who trained as a barrister and was an MP in the Irish parliament between 1711 and 1714. He married Mary Guy, the daughter of Admiral John Guy, whose chief claim to fame was breaking the boom across the River Foyle to relieve the Siege of Derry. Anthony Atkinson’s eldest son having predeceased him, the estate passed on his death to his second son, the Rev. Guy Atkinson (c.1712-1804), who was vicar of Trim (Meath) and later rector of Aghoghill (Antrim). He seems to have lived chiefly in or close to the parishes which he served, and it may be that his eldest son by his first marriage Anthony Atkinson (1748-90) managed the estates until his death. The eldest son of Guy’s second marriage, Jackson Wray Atkinson (1766-1846), certainly did so later, and was High Sheriff of Offaly in 1803.  
 
After many years living on his estates and serving as commander of the county militia, Jackson seems to have moved to France in old age, where in 1841 he took a French woman as his second wife. His son and heir, Guy Atkinson (1800-59) was also on the continent at this time, as his first two children were born in Rome and Geneva, but he had taken over the management of the Cangort estate by 1846, when he was High Sheriff and succeeded his father. He died fairly young, and his heir, Guy Newcomen Atkinson (1847-90) did not come of age until 1868. It was probably soon afterwards that he remodelled Cangort House, perhaps assisted by the accumulating revenues during his minority, which coincided with a brief period of agricultural prosperity in Ireland. At his death in 1890, G.N. Atkinson left an heir who was only eight years old. Perhaps because he was a career soldier and a bachelor, Guy Montague Atkinson (1882-1956) decided to sell the Cangort estate to his uncle, William Henry Atkinson (1848-1930). He left Cangort to his eldest surviving son, Guy Hamilton Atkinson (1881-1932), but Guy died shortly afterwards and it passed to his only son, Anthony Guy Atkinson (1909-85), who had just embarked on a career in the Royal Artillery. In 1957 Major Atkinson sold Cangort House while retaining the majority of the estate. In 1970 he inherited the Loughton House estate at Moneygall (Offaly) from his Trench relatives, but he made this over to his son, Guy Nevill Atkinson (b. 1950). He sold Loughton House in 2001. 
 
Charles Atkinson (c.1720-79), one of the younger sons of Anthony Atkinson (c.1680-1743), seems to have farmed part of the Cangort estate. His eldest son, Anthony Atkinson (1752-1815), moved south and leased South Park, Ballingarry (Tipperary) from the Trench family. His younger son, George Guy Atkinson (1799-1872), bought Ashley Park at Nenagh (Tipperary) in 1824 and probably built the present house soon afterwards. In 1872 it descended to his youngest son, James Netterville Atkinson (1843-93), who in the 1870s owned 2,000 acres in Tipperary and nearly 1,000 acres in Galway. He extended the house in 1883, but died without any sons, so that the house passed to his eldest daughter, Alice Marjorie Atkinson (1882-1919). In 1903 she came of age and married Thomas Bateson Biggs (1878-1945), who took the name Biggs-Atkinson, but they had no children. After she died, Biggs-Atkinson married again, and he left the estate to his second wife, who lived there until 1963. Since they had had no children either, Mrs Biggs-Atkinson left the estate to a niece in South Africa, Zelie Biggs, who rarely visited. The house was not surprisingly in poor condition by the time she sold it in 1983 to Sean Mounsey, who restored it and converted it into an hotel. 
 

Cangort House, Shinrone, Offaly 

 
Cangort Castle, the original residence of the Atkinson family, was destroyed by Cromwellian forces in the 17th century after being garrisoned for the king. The family returned at the Restoration and built a house to the right of the castle, which was later altered several times. One Georgian elevation survives at the rear, with round-headed windows, and is said to conceal two very small rooms which were once part of the castle.  
 

The present house is the result of a Victorian neo-Jacobean remodelling of the 18th century house.  Work is said to have been completed in 1850 but it seems more likely that the stone east and south fronts with their tall gabled elevations and large mullioned and transomed windows were built for Guy Newcomen Atkinson after he came of age in 1868. The east (entrance) front is of three bays and two storeys, with a projecting gabled bay on the left and a gabled porch jammed up against it. The south front, also of three bays, has gables at each end and another doorway, this time with perfectly plain flat door surround, in the middle. There are, on the house, three well-carved heraldic plaques, one on the gable of the entrance front and two on the south front. The other elevations are of ruled-and-lined render. The main house is approached through an elegant entrance gate with lodges, and down a long avenue. Nearby there is a walled garden and at the rear of this is a small ruined single-storey structure with an arched doorway, which may have been a chapel. In the 1870s, the estate amounted to 2,787 acres. 

Descent: Anthony Atkinson (d. 1626); to son, William Atkinson (b. 1613); to son, Anthony Atkinson (1630-63); to son, William Atkinson (c.1665-84); to son, Anthony Atkinson (c.1680-1743); to son, Rev. Guy Atkinson (c.1712-1804); to son, Lt-Col. Jackson Wray Atkinson (1766-1846); to son, Guy Atkinson (1800-59); to son, Guy Newcomen Atkinson (1847-90); to son, Guy Montague Atkinson (1882-1956), who sold 1907 to his uncle, William Henry Atkinson (1848-1930); to son, Guy Hamilton Atkinson (1881-1932); to son, Anthony Guy Atkinson (b. 1909), who sold Cangort in 1957. 

Atkinson family of Cangort 

Atkinson, Anthony (d. 1626). Parentage unknown. A Lieutenant in the Army. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Bathe and had issue: 
(1) William Atkinson (b. 1613) (q.v.); 
(2) John Atkinson; 
(3) George Atkinson; 
(4) Thomas Atkinson; 
(5) Mary Atkinson; 
(6) Frances Atkinson; 
(7) Elizabeth Atkinson (fl. 1650); 
(8) Jane Atkinson; 
(9) Margaret Atkinson; 
(10) Anne Atkinson. 
He settled on lands (the island of Kiltober or Kiltobrett (Offaly)) granted by Queen Elizabeth by patent, and built Cangort Castle. 
He died 9 October 1626. 
 
Atkinson, William (b. 1613). Eldest son of Anthony Atkinson (d. 1626) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Bathe, born 1613. During the Civil War Cangort Castle was garrisoned for the King and taken and slighted by Parliamentary forces, and he was forced to flee. He married, Anne, daughter of Bartholomew Peisley of Punchestown (Kildare), and had issue: 
(1) Anthony Atkinson (1630-63); 
(2) A daughter; married Thomas Newcomen. 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father, and acquired an interest in Kilbalymalin (Tipperary) through his marriage. His widow was confirmed in his lands in 1649. 
He died before 1649. His widow survived him but her date of death is unknown. 
 
Atkinson, Anthony (1630-63). Only son of William Atkinson (b. 1613) and his wife Anne, daughter of Bartholomew Peisley of Punchestown (Kildare), born 1630, He married, before 1655, Anne (1632-1709), younger daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 4th bt. and had issue: 
(1) William Atkinson (c.1655-84) (q.v.); 
(2) Capt. Newcomen Atkinson (d. c.1691); married [forename unknown] L’Estrange and had issue one son (from whom descended the Atkinsons of Newry and Mill Vale); will proved, 1691; 
(3) Charles Atkinson (d. 1686); died unmarried, 1686; 
(4) Frances Atkinson (d. 1738); married Thomas L’Estrange (1656-1741), son of Henry L’Estrange of Moystown (Offaly) and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 1738. 
He inherited Cangort from his father and recovered the property at the Restoration. 
He died in January 1663. His widow married 2nd, 1664, William Tynte (d. 1669) of Cahirmoney (Cork), third son of Sir Robert Tynte of Ballycrenane (Cork), and 3rd, William Digby of Newtown (Offaly); she died in 1709. 
 
Atkinson, William (c.1655-84). Eldest son of Anthony Atkinson (1630-63) and his wife Anne, younger daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 4th bt, born about 1655.  He married Anne, granddaughter of Sir Francis Hamilton of Killeshandra (Cavan), and had issue: 
(1) Anthony Atkinson (c.1680-1743) (q.v.); 
(2) William Atkinson. 
He inherited Cangort from his father. 
He died in 1684. His widow married 2nd, [forename unknown] Blake and 3rd, Maj. Marcus French of Rahassan; her date of death is unknown. 
 
Atkinson, Anthony (c.1680-1743). Elder son of William Atkinson (c.1655-84) and his wife Anne, born about 1680. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1697), Middle Temple (admitted 1700) and Kings Inn, Dublin (called to bar, 1708). Barrister-at-law. MP in the Irish Parliament for St. Johnstown, 1711-13 and for Belfast, 1713-14. He married, 1709, Mary (d. 1748), daughter of Admiral John Guy of Greenwich (Kent) – who broke the boom across the River Foyle to relieve the siege of Derry in 1690 – and had issue including: 
(1) William Atkinson (c.1710-38); educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1732) and Kings Inn, Dublin (called to bar, 1737); barrister-at-law; died in the lifetime of his father, 3 July 1738; 
(2) Rev. Guy Atkinson (c.1712-1804) (q.v.); 
(3) Anthony Atkinson of Headfield (Offaly); died in the lifetime of his father; 
(4) Charles Atkinson (c.1720-80) [for whom see below, under Atkinson family of Ashley Park]; 
(5) Newcomen Atkinson (d. 1759); a Lieutenant in the army; will proved in Ireland, 1759; 
(6) Anne Atkinson; married Francis Sanderson (d. 1746) of Castle Sanderson, Belturbet (Cavan) and had issue two sons and two daughters; 
(7) Frances Atkinson (d. 1795); married, 1749 (settlement 30 March), Nathaniel Robbins of Hymenstown (Tipperary) and had issue; died 1795; 
(8) Harriet Atkinson (fl. 1749); married, 2 September 1749, Robert Sanderson; 
(9) Jane Atkinson (d. 1763); married Rev. Robert Carew Armstrong (1709-90) of Corolanty (Offaly), son of Thomas Armstrong of Moyaliffe; died 23 January 1763; 
(10) Catherine Atkinson; married George Fraser of Cuba Court, Banagher (Offaly). 
He inherited Cangort from his father in 1684. 
He died in December 1743 and his will was proved the same month. His widow’s will was proved in 1748. 
 
Atkinson, Rev. Guy (c.1712-1804). Second but oldest surviving son of Anthony Atkinson (c.1680-1743) and his wife Mary, daughter of Admiral John Guy of Greenwich (Kent), born about 1712. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1730; BA 1735; MA 1739; DD 1756). Vicar of Newtown Clonbun, 1748-53, Trim and Rathcore (Meath), 1753-67 and Rector of Aghoghill (Antrim), 1767-95. He married 1st, 14 March 1747 at St Peter, Dublin, Jane (d. 1760?), daughter of Charles Maule and niece of Rt. Rev. Henry Maule, bishop of Meath, and 2nd, 19 March 1762 at St Anne, Dublin, Jane (c.1736-98?), daughter of Jackson Wray of Oak Park (Donegal), and had issue: 
(1.1) Anthony Atkinson (1748-90), born 13 February and baptised at St Peter, Dublin, 15 March 1747/8; died without issue in the lifetime of his father, 1790; 
(1.2) Hugh Atkinson (d. 1763); died unmarried in India, 1763; 
(1.3) Guy Atkinson (d. 1766); an officer in the Royal Navy; died unmarried when he was killed by an explosion on board ship; 
(2.1) Anne Atkinson (b. 1764); died young; 
(2.2) Lt-Col. Jackson Wray Atkinson (1766-1846) (q.v.); 
(2.3) Charles Atkinson (b. 1768), baptised at Shinrone, 7 March 1768; died young; 
(2.4) Rev. Charles Atkinson (c.1769-1851); educated at Lisburn and Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1788; BA 1792); ordained deacon, 1792; rector of Forkhill (Armagh), 1795-1817 and of Creggan, 1817-51; married 1st, 1793, Thomasine, daughter of Rev. Alexander Clotworthy Downing of Leckpatrick (Derry) and had issue four sons and four daughters; married 2nd, 22 June 1832, Jane Letitia (b. 1803), third daughter of Rev. Arthur Ellis, vicar of Ardee, and had further issue one son and four daughters; died 4 March 1851; 
(2.5) William Henry Atkinson (b. 1770); died young; 
(2.6) George Atkinson (b. 1772); died young; 
(2.7) George Atkinson (later Wray) (1773-1852); assumed the name and arms of Wray, 1809; married, 1797, Leonora (d. 1832), daughter of Jackson Wray of Brentford (Antrim) and had issue three sons; died in Dublin, 6 April 1852; 
(2.8) Maria Atkinson (d. 1796); married, 1793, George R. Golding; died 1796; 
(2.9) Jane Atkinson (b. 1780); died young. 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father in 1743. 
He died 24 October 1804, aged about 92; his will was proved in 1804. His first wife may have been the Jane Atkinson whose will was proved in 1760. His second wife died in 1798 (or 30 Dec. 1790). 
 
Atkinson, Lt-Col. Jackson Wray (1766-1846). Eldest son of Rev. Guy Atkinson (c.1712-1804) and his second wife, Jane, daughter of Jackson Wray of Co. Donegal, born at Newry (Down), 1766. Educated at Hertford College, Oxford (matriculated 1792), Middle Temple (admitted 1792) and Kings Inn, Dublin (called to bar, 1795). An officer in the 46th foot (Ensign, 1787) and King’s County (Offaly) militia (Lt-Col.); High Sheriff of Offaly, 1803; JP for Offaly; freemason. He married, 1st, 3 November 1794, Sarah, daughter of Richard Caddell of Downpatrick (Down), and 2nd, 24 November 1841 at British Embassy in Paris (France), Virginie Aspasie Penneguin of Dept. du Nord (France), and had issue: 
(1.1) Sarah Atkinson (b. c.1795); died unmarried; 
(1.2) Maria Atkinson (b. c.1797); died unmarried; 
(1.3) Mabella Jane Atkinson (b. c.1799); probably died young; 
(1.4) Guy Atkinson (1800-59) (q.v.); 
(1.5) Caroline Stewart Atkinson (1803-39); married William L’Estrange (1789-1860) of Kilcummin, Banagher (Offaly) and had issue two sons and four daughters; died from injuries received in the ‘Night of the Big Wind’, 22 January 1839; 
(1.8) Emily Rebecca Atkinson (c.1804-82); died unmarried, 15 December 1882; 
(1.6) Henry Wray Atkinson (1806-73) of Frankville, Athboy (Meath), born July 1806; married, 9 April 1839, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Rev. William Brownlow Savage, rector of Shinrone (Offaly) and had issue five sons and five daughters; died 24 January 1873; administration granted to his son, 22 March 1873 (effects under £1,500); 
(1.7) Charles Atkinson (1808-40); an officer in HEICS 10th Native Cavalry; died from a snake bite, 17 June 1840 at Nusseerabad, Bengal (India); 
(1.9) Harriet Anne Atkinson (b. c.1809); probably died young; 
(1.10) Richard Atkinson (1818-71), of Gortmore, Dundrum (Dublin), born 6 October 1818; educated at Kings Inn, Dublin (admitted 1835); married, 14 October 1840 at Caledon (Tyrone), Mary Jane Elizabeth (d. 1886), daughter of Capt. George R. Golding of Lime Park, Caledon, and had issue three sons and six daughters; died 18 July 1871. 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father in 1804. 
He died at Neuilly-sur-Seine (France), 14 August 1846. His first wife’s date of death is unknown. His widow’s date of death is unknown. 
 
Atkinson, Guy (1800-59). Eldest son of Lt-Col. Jackson Wray Atkinson (1766-1846) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Richard Caddell of Downpatrick (Down), born 14 July and baptised at Shinrone, 3 August 1800. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1818; BA 1823). JP for Offaly; High Sheriff of Offaly, 1846; freemason. He married, 24 October 1839 at Shinrone, Anne Margaret (1810-79), second daughter of William Trench of Cangort Park (Offaly) and had issue: 
(1) Charles Newcomen Atkinson (1840-41), born probably in December 1840 and baptised in Rome, January 1841; died in infancy in Rome, 11 January 1841; 
(2) Sarah Harriet Atkinson (1842-1935), baptised at British chaplaincy in Geneva (Switzerland), 26 June 1842; married, 11 May 1865 at Shinrone, George Arthur Waller JP (1835-1923) of Prior Park, Borrisokane (Tipperary) and Luska, Nenagh (Tipperary) and had issue ten sons and one daughter; died 11 January 1935 aged 92; 
(3) Emily Atkinson (1843-1928), baptised at Shinrone, 31 December 1843; married, 4 October 1865 at Shinrone, George Adolphus Western (1838-1929) of Beckenham (Kent), solicitor, second son of Edward Western of London, and had issue three sons and seven daughters; died 21 March 1928; 
(4) Caroline Sophia Atkinson (1845-1943), born 3 June 1845; married, 14 December 1869 at St Bartholomew, Dublin, Lt-Col. James Halifax Western CMG (1842-1917) of Halifax Lodge, Hurstpierpoint (Sussex) and had issue; died 8 January 1943, aged 97, and was buried at Hurstpierpoint; will proved 21 April 1943 (estate £13,661). 
(5) Lt-Col. Guy Newcomen Atkinson (1847-90) (q.v.); 
(6) William Henry Atkinson (1848-1930) (q.v.); 
(7) Maj. Richard Frederick Atkinson (1849-86), born 11 December 1849 and baptised at Shinrone, 6 January 1850; educated at the Royal Military Academy; an officer in the 67th Regiment (Ensign, 1869; Lt., 1871; Capt. 1880, Maj., 1886); served in Afghan War, 1878-80 and died unmarried when he was killed in action at Salin Myo (Burma), 31 August 1886; will proved in London, 1 February 1887 (effects £4,867) and resealed in Dublin, 1 March 1887 (effects in Ireland £1,577). 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father in 1846. 
He died at Cangort, 28 November 1859 and his will was proved in Dublin in 1860. His widow died 12 July 1879. 
 
Atkinson, Lt-Col. Guy Newcomen (1847-90). Second, but eldest surviving son, of Guy Atkinson (1800-59) and his wife Anne Margaret, second daughter of William Trench of Cangort Park (Offaly), born 4 January 1847. Educated at Royal Military Academy. An officer of Shropshire Light Infantry (Ensign, 1865; Lt., 1867; Capt., 1875; Major, 1882; Lt-Col., 1886); Adjutant of Shropshire Rifle Brigade, 1882-86. JP for Offaly. He married, 19 July 1877 at Leamington (Warks), Frances Elizabeth (c.1846-1929), elder daughter of Hon. Lawrence Harman King-Harman of Rockingham House (Roscommon) and Newcastle (Longford), and had issue: 
(1) Guy Edward Atkinson (1878-79), born in India, 9 December 1878 and baptised at Lucknow (India), 2 February 1878; died in infancy, 24 May 1879; 
(2) Helen Mary Atkinson (1880-1973), born 30 September and baptised at Littlemore (Oxon), 12 December 1880; married, 5 September 1908 at St Ethelburga, Bishopsgate, London, Brig-Gen. Robert William Hare CMG DSO DL (1872-1953), only son of Robert Dillon Hare JP of Ballymore, Queenstown (Cork) and had issue one son and two daughters; died in Norwich Jan-Mar 1973, aged 92; 
(3) Lt-Col. Guy Montague Atkinson (1882-1956) (q.v.); 
(4) Maj. Gerald Newcomen Atkinson (1884-1962), born 10 March 1884; educated at Charterhouse and Royal Military College, Sandhurst; an officer in the Somerset Light Infantry (2nd Lt., 1904; Lt., 1908; Capt., 1915; Maj. by 1920) who served in First World War; married, 1 March 1923 in Bombay (India), Grace Phoebe (1890-1986), daughter of Alfred James Davies of Heaton Moor, Stockport (Lancs); lived in North Devon; died 24 July 1962; will proved 4 September 1962 (estate £21,436). 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father in 1859 and came of age in 1868. He was probably responsible for a substantial remodelling c.1870. 
He died at Kilkenny, where he was in command of the garrison, 10 February 1890, and was buried at Shinrone; his will was proved in London, 21 July 1890 (effects £6,613) and sealed in Dublin, 18 November 1890 (effects in Ireland £1,961). His widow died 29 March 1929; administration of her goods was granted to her elder son, 16 December 1929 (estate £7,518). 
 
Atkinson, Lt-Col. Guy Montague (1882-1956). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Lt-Col. Guy Newcomen Atkinson (1847-90) and his wife Frances Elizabeth, elder daughter of Hon. Lawrence Harman King-Harman of Rockingham House (Roscommon) and Newcastle (Longford), born at Shrewsbury (Shropshire), 30 March 1882. Educated at Charterhouse and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. An officer in Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 1902-22 (2nd Lt., 1902; Lt., 1906; Capt., 1914; Major, 1916); he served in South African War and First World War (wounded, 1915; DSO 1916); served as Lt-Col. commanding Wiltshire Home Guard in Second World War. JP for Wiltshire, 1937. He married, 7 January 1920, Hon. Bertha Beatrice (1884-1961), fifth daughter of Lt-Col. George Best, 5th Baron Wynford, but had no issue. 
He inherited the Cangort estate from his father in 1890 and came of age in 1903. He sold the estate to his uncle, William Henry Atkinson, in 1907. He lived latterly at Penleigh House, Westbury (Wilts). 
He died 1 May 1956; his will was proved 18 September 1956 (estate £31,012). His widow died 10 June 1961; her will was proved 21 November 1961 (estate £31,225). 
 
Atkinson, William Henry (1848-1930). Third son of Guy Atkinson (1800-59) and his wife Anne Margaret, second daughter of William Trench of Cangort Park (Offaly), born 28 August and baptised at Shinrone, 8 October 1848. He married, 20 November 1877 at St Peter, Dublin, Anna (c.1848-1917), second daughter of Lewis Moore of Cremorgan, Timahoe (Leix) and had issue: 
(1) Ella Mary Emily Atkinson (1878-1922), born 3 September 1878; died unmarried, 7 April 1922; administration of goods granted to her father (effects in England, £668); 
(2) Henry Richard Atkinson (1880-1905), born 17 March 1880; died unmarried, 26 December 1905; administration of his goods granted to his father, 21 March 1906 (effects £1,076); 
(3) Guy Hamilton Atkinson (1881-1932) (q.v.); 
(4) Geraldine Anna Atkinson (c.1884-1950); married, 18 April 1906, James Wallace (1876-1961), barrister-at-law, of Cangort Park (Offaly) and had issue one daughter; died 5 January 1950; administration of goods granted to her daughter, 2 May 1950 in Dublin and 23 June 1950 in London (effects in Ireland, £599 and in England, £640). 
He purchased the Cangort House estate from his nephew in 1907. 
He died 7 May 1930; his will was proved in London, 12 August 1930 (effects in England £3,310). His wife died 17 June 1917; administration of her goods was granted 8 September 1917 (effects £154). 
 
Atkinson, Guy Hamilton (1881-1932). Only surviving son of William Henry Atkinson (1848-1930) and his wife Anna, second daughter of Lewis Moore of Cremorgan, Timahoe (Leix), born 20 April 1881. Educated at Monckton Combe School, Bath (Somerset). He married, 18 February 1909, Sybilla Gertrude (1884-1962), only daughter of Canon Richard Philip Homan of Lockeen Glebe, Birr (Offaly) and had issue: 
(1) Anthony Guy Atkinson (1909-85) (q.v.); 
(2) Sylvia Geraldine Atkinson (1919-91), born 29 May 1919; married, 19 March 1947, Col. David Peter Davidson OBE (d. 1986) of West Haddon (Northants), only son of David Peter Davidson of Dundee; died 5 November 1991; administration of her goods with will annexed granted 12 February 1992 (estate under £125,000). 
He inherited the Cangort House estate from his father in 1930. 
He died 23 February 1932; his will was proved at Mullingar, 24 October 1932 and in London, 7 May 1932 (estate in Ireland, £8,465 and in England £5,972). His widow died 30 January 1962; her will was proved 7 December 1962 (estate in England, £3,594). 
 
Atkinson, Maj. Anthony Guy (1909-85). Only son of Guy Hamilton Atkinson (1881-1932) and his wife Sybilla Gertrude, only daughter of Canon Richard Philip Homan of Lockeen Glebe, Birr (Offaly), born 10 December 1909. Educated at St. Columba’s and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. An officer in the Royal Artillery, 1929-52 (2nd Lt., 1929; Maj.; retired 1952); served in Second World War in Hong Kong and was a prisoner of war, 1941-45. He married, 16 October 1937, Anne Elizabeth (b. c.1915), eldest daughter of Rev. Nevill Lascelles-Ward of Largo, Florida (USA), and had issue: 
(1) Mary Catherine Charlotte Atkinson  (b. 1938), born 11 November 1938; married, 10 April 1964, Maj. Thomas Michael Hawksworth Smyth (1933-2004) of Ballyvona House, Killinick, Rosslare (Wexford), only son of Maj. Thomas Reginald Hawksworth Smyth of Cedar Hill, Roscrea (Tipperary) and had issue one son and three daughters; living in 1976; 
(2) Antonia Sybilla Atkinson (b. 1948), born 26 July 1948; married, 13 February 1971, Capt. Andrew William Orr MB BS MRCS LRCP (b. 1946), of Royal Army Medical Corps, only son of Lt-Col. Harold Arthur Orr of Poole (Dorset) and had issue one daughter; living in 1976. 
(3) Guy Nevill Atkinson (b. 1950) (q.v.); 
He inherited the Cangort House estate from his father in 1932, but sold the house in 1957. He inherited Loughton House, Moneygall (Offaly) from the Trench family in 1970 but made it over to his son. 
He died 15 March 1985; his will was proved in London, 11 October 1985 (estate in England & Wales, £19,256). His wife was living in 1976. 
 
Atkinson, Guy Nevill (b. 1950). Only son of Maj. Anthony Guy Atkinson (1909-85) and his wife Anne Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Rev. Nevill Lascelles-Ward of Largo, Florida (USA), born 29 November 1950. Educated at St. Columba’s and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars (2nd Lt., 1971). He married, 20 April 1974, Mary Grace, younger daughter of Dr. Norman Cunningham Porter of The Lodge, Naburn (Yorks NR). 
He was given Loughton House, Moneygall and the Cangort estate by his father in 1970, but sold the former in 2000. 
He was living in 2016. 

Cangort House, On Approx. 9.67 Hec (23.9 Acre), Shinrone, County Offaly 

€1,950,000. R42HT92 8 beds2 baths798 m² for sale 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates

Cangort House is a stunning Jacobean-style residence set within 9.67 hectares (23.9 acres) of beautifully landscaped grounds, offering a mix of historical charm and modern comforts. With extensive living spaces, equestrian facilities, and a natural swimming pool, it provides a perfect setting for relaxing country living and recreation. CANGORT HOUSE Set amidst a landscape steeped in history, Cangort House combines the allure of the past with the conveniences of modern living. Though the original castle fell in the 17th century, its surviving rear section was preserved and incorporated into the present structure, which was rebuilt around 1870 in a distinguished Jacobean style. With its steeply pitched roofs and tall chimneys adorned with intricate moulded brick cornices, the house exudes a timeless elegance and enduring charm. The current owners have skilfully preserved the property’s historic character while introducing a bold and vibrant colour palette that adds a modern, distinctive touch throughout the house. Upon entering Cangort House, you are greeted by a long entrance hall featuring a decorative vaulted ceiling and stunning parquet flooring, which extends into many of the rooms throughout the house. To the right is a small lobby area, and as you continue, the first reception room you encounter is the dining room. This elegant space boasts lofty ceilings adorned with intricate cornicing, solid wood flooring, a striking marble fireplace, and large mullioned windows, a hallmark of the Jacobean era. Next door, the library offers a cosy atmosphere with built-in shelving. Sliding double doors lead from this room into the beautifully light-filled drawing room, where the rich navy walls create a warm and inviting ambiance. A wood-burning stove is complemented by a stunning Adams fireplace above, making it the ideal space for entertaining. A panelled hallway leads you to a cosy sitting room that overlooks the outdoor swimming pool. With its lower ceilings and a wood-burning stove, this room exudes warmth and comfort, making it the perfect space for everyday living. Next door, two interlinking studies provide an ideal setting for working from home. An additional hallway leads to another family room, painted in a striking blue shade, offering yet another inviting space for everyday living. Opposite the family room is the kitchen, which has been recently refurbished by the owners who clearly love to cook and entertain. The light-flooded kitchen combines classic country kitchen features, including a striking black and white marble floor, solid wood built-in cabinetry, a sizable island unit with a double Shaws Belfast sink and a generous dining table. Complemented by two cookers, an electric Stanley Rangemaster with 5-burner gas hob, and a cast iron solid fuel Stanley stove and Smeg fridge. A fantastic adjacent pantry area boasts floor-to-ceiling solid oak cabinets and provides ample storage and convenience, including a second fridge. Just off the kitchen, you’ll find a boot room, laundry room, and WC, adding to the home’s practicality. A magnificent dark wooden staircase leads you to the upper floors, where on the returning landing, an open fireplace stands as a striking and unique feature. It creates a stunning focal point, especially when lit on cold winter evenings, adding warmth and charm to the space. The master suite exudes luxury, with lofty ceilings, an open fire, and large windows adorned with shutters that overlook the splendid gardens. It is further enhanced by a dressing room with built-in wardrobes. The main bathroom is a relaxing retreat, featuring panelled walls, solid wood flooring, a generous shower, a vintage freestanding roll top bathtub, and an Edwardian rectangular washstand, creating an elegant space. You will find seven more generously sized double bedrooms on this floor, each offering a unique view of the surrounding grounds. This floor also includes a shower room, study, an additional bathroom and a newly decorated WC. Another bathroom is awaiting refurbishment, offering potential for personalisation. While a second internal staircase provides extra access to the ground floor. GARDENS & GROUNDS Cangort House is set within splendid grounds, extending to approximately 9.67 hectares (23.9 acres). A pair of electric gates welcome you to the property, where a tarmac driveway, bordered by trees and post and rail fencing, stretches ahead, passing by paddocks to the left. As you draw closer to the house, the driveway gently splits, allowing you the choice to drive up to the front entrance or to the courtyard and stables. As you approach the front of the house, a large turning circle greets you, with a mature beech tree standing proudly at its centre while manicured lawns unfold before you. To the side of the house lies a stunning natural swimming pool, surrounded by a lush array of aquatic plants and filled with pure rainwater, free from chemicals or chlorine. This serene, eco-friendly oasis provides the perfect spot to unwind and relax amidst the beauty of the garden. At the rear of the house, an enclosed courtyard is framed by a collection of charming old stone buildings, including 13 stables and a shed for firewood and garden tools. Adjacent to the courtyard lies the historic walled garden, now home to a sand arena for exercising horses. LOCATION Cangort House is perfectly situated just 2.4 km from the village of Shinrone, where you’ll find a range of essential amenities, including a national (primary) school, filling station, convenience shop, pub, farm store, gym, squash courts and both GAA and soccer clubs, ensuring everything you need is close at hand. Additionally, the Slieve Bloom Cricket Club is only 7.6 km away, providing further recreational options for sports enthusiasts. The property is also ideally situated, nearly equidistant from the towns of Roscrea and Birr, offering easy access to both locations.

https://www.businesspost.ie/property/e2m-sought-for-jacobean-gem-with-pool-paddocks-and-a-colourful-past/

by Tina-Marie O’Neill April 18, 2025

When a Dublin couple were gifted two horses by an emigrating aunt, they never imagined it would lead them to swap the coast of Sandymount for the sweeping pastures of Offaly.

But that’s exactly what happened in 2002 when regular weekend visits to check on the horses stabled on family land near Birr sparked something unexpected — a love affair with rural life.

Property Details

• Cangort House, Shinrone, Birr, Co Offaly
• Price: €1.95m
• BER: exempt
• Beds: Eight
• Agents: Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes 01-2376308 and Sherry FitzGerald Fogarty 0505-21192

Fast forward and they’ve traded a modest 110-square-metre city semi for Cangort House, a spectacular 19th-century Jacobean-style residence of just under 800 square metres sprawled across nearly 24 acres.

With eight bedrooms, 13 stables, a natural swimming pool, and enough fireplaces to keep winter endlessly cosy, the move was nothing short of a leap — or as they put it, “a jump-off-a-jetty” decision.

What started as a trial run in a nearby holiday home owned by the husband’s father turned into a full-blown lifestyle reinvention.

Cangort House, once home to thriller writer Campbell Black (rumoured inspiration for Jilly Cooper’s iconic Rupert Campbell-Black), became their forever home — a haven for horses, friends, and family alike.

“That Sunday night feeling when everyone else is leaving, and we get to stay — that’s never worn off,” they say.

And who could blame them?

The first order of business was upgrading Cangort’s beautiful, period, shuttered sash windows, then repairing, refurbishing and in some cases installing wood-burning stoves throughout the house, which, combined, they admit was a game-changer.

“We then turned our attention to the kitchen, which was a dark, unwelcoming space tacked onto the rear of the house,” they said, transforming the space into a large, bright, traditional space.

Everywhere else, the couple have filled the house with a bold, vibrant gemstone colour palette, the grand proportions and intricate detailing of which historic homes like this were built for.

Entry is via a pair of electric gates opening to a long, tree-lined drive cutting a swathe through the estate’s paddocks. Along the main drive a secondary driveway splinters off to whisk away those with an equestrian purpose to Cangort’s courtyard and stables.

At the front of the house proper is a large turning circle with a majestic beech tree at its centre surrounded by manicured lawns, a gravel drive and parking apron and the modern addition of a basketball court off to the side.

A set of double front doors open to a long entrance hall featuring a decorative vaulted ceiling and stunning parquet floors, which extend into many of the rooms throughout the house.

To the right of the entrance is a small lobby area, and the first reception room, the impressive dual-aspect dining room, is on the left. The inky blue-hued walls contrast with the room’s high ceilings adorned with intricate cornicing, its solid wood floors, striking white marble fireplace, and large Jacobean, mullioned windows.

Next door, the library offers a cosy atmosphere with built-in shelving.

Sliding double doors lead from this room into the beautifully light-filled, dual-aspect drawing room, where the rich navy walls once more create a warm and inviting ambience, warmed further by a wood-burning stove set into an Adams fireplace.

A panelled hallway leads to a cosy sitting room with emerald green walls and which overlooks the outdoor swimming pool and has a wood-burning stove set into a white marble fireplace.

Next door, two interlinking studies provide an ideal setting for working from home.

Another hallway leads to another family room, painted in a striking teal shade with another handsome fireplace and inset wood-burning stove.

Opposite the family room is the refurbished classic country kitchen, laid in classic black and white marble floors, solid timber built-in cabinetry, a sizeable island unit with a double Shaws Belfast sink and a generous dining table.

Complemented by two cookers, an electric Stanley Rangemaster with five-burner gas hob, and a cast iron solid fuel Stanley stove and Smeg fridge.

An adjacent pantry area boasts floor-to-ceiling solid oak cabinets and provides ample storage and convenience, including a second fridge.

Just off the kitchen is a handy boot room, laundry room, and WC, adding to the home’s practicality.

A magnificent dark wooden staircase leads to the upper floors, where on the returning landing, an unexpected open fireplace stands as a striking feature as well as offering additional warmth to the space.

The dual-aspect principal suite, set above the formal dining room below, exudes luxury, with lofty ceilings, an open fire and large, shuttered windows and an adjacent, enviable dressing room with built-in wardrobes.

The main bathroom is a relaxing retreat, featuring panelled walls, solid timber floors, a generous shower, a vintage free-standing roll-top bathtub, and an Edwardian rectangular washstand, creating an elegant space.

There are seven equally generously sized double bedrooms on this floor, each offering a unique view of the surrounding grounds.

This floor also includes a shower room, study, an additional bathroom and a newly decorated WC.

Another bathroom is awaiting refurbishment, while a second internal staircase provides alternative access to the ground floor.

Outside, Cangort House boasts a delightful freshwater swimming pool, which was installed four years ago during Covid-19 and is a 17-step walk from the kitchen and a warming, post-dip cup of coffee.

“You’re not standing on a rock at the Forty Foot struggling to put your smalls on,” said the owner. “You can go from the pool up to a roaring fire in your bedroom to get changed with your morning coffee in tow.

“The pool has transformed Cangort House from an autumn leaves and fireplace, wintry home to a summer home too and when the sun does come out, you do not want to be anywhere else.”

Surrounding the pool is a lush array of aquatic plants, a raised sheltered deck area, lawns, a sunken trampoline, original stone walls and, at the rear of the house, an enclosed courtyard framed by a collection of charming old stone buildings. These include 13 stables and a shed for firewood and garden tools.

“We inherited the yard in working order with stabling and a water supply and we had a pal who rented the yard from us, and he ran a kind of a livery yard from there,” said the owners.

Beside this is a historic walled garden, now home to a sand arena for exercising horses.

Cangort House is just 2.4 km from the village of Shinrone, which is home to a range of essential amenities, including a national (primary) school, filling station, convenience shop, pub, farm store, gym, squash courts and both GAA and soccer clubs. The Slieve Bloom Cricket Club is 7.6 km away.

The property is also nearly equidistant from the towns of Roscrea and Birr, the latter renowned for its preserved Georgian heritage. Birr is home to Birr Theatre and Arts Centre along with Birr Castle Demesne, the ancestral seat of the Parsons family – the Earls of Rosse – for 14 generations, as well as having cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops and two hotels.

Roscrea has a variety of shops, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and healthcare facilities as well as rugby, tennis and athletics clubs and Cistercian College Roscrea, a boarding and day school for boys.

The Urseline Secondary School, a boarding school for girls, is located about 39km from Cangort House.

Cangort House is a 70-minute drive from Shannon Airport and an hour and 20 minutes to Dublin’s Red Cow Roundabout.