Estate: Colthurst

Associated Families

• Colthurst (Baronet)
• Conway (Kerry)
• Colthurst (Dripsey Castle)
• Jefferyes

Description

In 1702 Nicholas Colthurst of Ballyally, county Cork, purchased over 1,000 acres from the trustees for the sale of forfeited estates, including Ardrum. Sir George Conway Colthurst owned over 31,000 acres in county Cork in the 1870s. In 1846 he married Louisa Jane Jefferyes of Blarney Castle and the Jefferyes estate was eventually inherited by the Colthursts. Some of the Colthurst estate was in the parishes of Dromtarriff, barony of Duhallow, Inishcarra, barony of East Muskerry, Grenagh, barony of Barretts but most of it was in the parish of Ballyvourney, barony of West Muskerry. The family had also previously held property in county Kerry owing to their descent from the Conway family, who had held large estates up to the nineteenth century. In 1856, over 3500 acres of the Colthurst estate in the barony of Trughanacmy, county Kerry, was offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court. The Ordnance Survey Name Books indicate that this included lands in the parish of Annagh. The Danesfort estate, leased to the Butcher family, was offered for sale in the Landed Estates Court, in 1874. In 2009 Sir Charles Colthurst of Blarney Castle donated the papers relating to the estate and the Colthurst family to the Cork City and County Archives, adding to a previous legal collection relating to this family already in the Archives.

Houses

House Name / Description	Townland	Civil Parish	PLU	DED	Barony	County	Map Ref
Cloghane Lodge or Fortlands (H1900) At the time of Griffith's Valuation, it was being leased by Francis Fitzgerald to Andrew Shea and was valued at £15. It is still extant. Bary writes that this house was built by the Conway family, possibly in the seventeenth century. It was eventually sold by Nicholas Conway Colthurst to Peter Thompson in the 1820s. The 1856 sale notice records Francis Fitzgerald as the assignee of Peter Thompson.	Clahane	Annagh	Tralee	Tralee Rural	Trughanacmy	Kerry	Lat/Lon: 52.25393 -9.69597 OSI Ref: Q842127 Discovery map #71. OS Sheet #29.
Cloghers House (H1901) In 1786 Wilson refers to Cloghers as the seat of Richard Yielding. John Mulchinock was leasing two adjoining properties from the Colthurst estate at the time of Griffith's Valuation, one valued at £50 and the second at £15. The Irish Tourist Association Survey notes that Cloghers was "once the home of the Mulchinock family who were big landowners" and relates the story of the song "the Rose of Tralee". Bary writes that this property was associated with the Carrigue family in the eighteenth century and also that John Mulchinock was an uncle of William Mulchinock, author of the song. She indicates that it was later owned by the Fitzmaurice family. It is still extant.	Cloghers	Annagh	Tralee	Tralee Rural 173	Trughanacmy	Kerry	Lat/Lon: 52.25932 -9.69617 OSI Ref: Q842133 Discovery map #71. OS Sheet #29.
Danesfort (H2203) Captain James Colthurst was leasing this property to Reverend Samuel Butcher at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £11 10. Lewis refers to it as the seat of Captain Colthurst in 1837 "commanding interesting views of the Middle and Lower Lakes". In 1874 the Danesfort estate of Samuel Butcher was offered for sale in the Landed Estates Court. The house is described as "beautifully situated, overlooking the Bay of Castlelough". Bary notes that it was occupied up until the 1920s but is now a ruin.	Listymurrough	Killarney	Killarney	Killarney Rural 71	Magunihy	Kerry	Lat/Lon: 52.04097 -9.49111 OSI Ref: V977887 Discovery map #78. OS Sheet #66.
Ardrum (H3182) The seat of the Colthurst family, baronets, valued at £85 in the mid 19th century. The Colthursts moved from here to Blarney in the 1870s. However Sir George St John Colthurst is still given as the occupier in 1906 when the house was valued at £45. In 1944 the Irish Tourist Association survey noted it as originally the seat of the Colthursts and still owned by the family. The house is now demolished.	Ardrum	Inishcarra	Cork	Carrigrohanebeg 66	East Muskerry	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.91647 -8.65263 OSI Ref: W551 740 Discovery map #80. OS Sheet #73.
Blarney Castle (H3190) The original 15th century castle belonged to the McCarthys of Muskerry. In 1786 Wilson describes Blarney as the "very fine seat, with ample and beautiful demesnes, of Mr. Jeffreys". Lewis wrote in 1837 that Blarney Castle was purchased in 1701 by Sir James Jefferyes, Governor of Cork [from the Hollow Sword Blades Company] who “ soon after erected a large and handsome house in front of it, which was the family residence for many years, but is now a picturesque ruin”. A new house was built in 1874 on the demesne lands by the Colthurst family and is still occupied by them.	Blarney Demesne	Garrycloyne	Cork	Blarney 72	East Muskerry	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.92857 -8.57138 OSI Ref: W607 753 Discovery map #80. OS Sheet #62.
Woodview (H3192) A house named Wood-view near Cork was occupied by Thomas Cuthbert in 1814. The Reverend William Spedding occupied Woodview in the early 1850s. He held it from Sir George Colthurst and the buildings were valued at £12. A house is still extant at the site.	Garravagh	Inishcarra	Cork	Carrigrohanebeg 66	East Muskerry	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.89324 -8.62614 OSI Ref: W569 714 Discovery map #80. OS Sheet #73.
Carrigrohane Castle (H3792) A fortified house that came into the possession of the Hoare family through marriage with a member of the Baker family in the 1770s. In 1786 Wilson refers to Carrigrohan as the seat of Mr. Colthurst. Reconstructed in the 1830s by Augustus Robert McSweeny, a corn merchant, who also leased the floor mills nearby. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Jane McSweeny was resident. The Castle later reverted back to the Hoares who owned it until the 1940s. They are mentioned by the Irish Tourist Association survey as resident there. It is still extant and was sold in 2017.	Carrigrohane	Carrigrohane	Cork	Ballincollig 65	Cork	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.89627 -8.55935 OSI Ref: W615 717 Discovery map #87. OS Sheet #73.
Knight's Bridge & Glebe (H4952) In 1786 Wilson refers to Knight's Bridge as the seat of Sir John Conway Colthurst at Ballyvourney "near the nunnery". This may refer to the ruins of a monastic site dedicated to St. Gobnait. This area was in the possession of Sir George Colthurst at the time of Griffith's Valuation when Rev. Richard Kirchoffer was leasing a property valued at over £20. Buildings are still extant at the site.	Glebe	Ballyvourney	Macroom	Gortnatubbrid 231	West Muskerry	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.93765 -9.16774 OSI Ref: W197768 Discovery map #79. OS Sheet #58.

Archival sources

• Cork City and County Archives: Colthurst of Blarney estate papers, including deeds, rentals, correspondence, maps & plans, photographs & other material relating to Colthurst, Morris, Oliver, Jefferyes & other families. 1602-1960s. U196 & 196A
• Cork City and County Archives: Three items consisting of: a lease, Sir Nicholas Colthurst to Michael Mulchinock, of lands at Ballard, County Kerry; an 1828 Mortgage, James Smith Barry to John Smith Barry, of lands at Lota; Poor Law Commission map of County Cork. 1820,1828,1886. SM603
• Cork City and County Archives: Padraig O hIci Papers, contains 18 items pertaining to the eviction of C.T. O'Leary, Prohos, Rathcoole by Sir George Colthurst, and a subsequent case, getting a 'grabber' to surrender with compensation from the Estate Commissioners and Landlords, 1892-1911. U163
• Cork County Library: Irish Tourist Association Survey, parish of Blarney & Whitechurch, Parish of Inniscarra
• National Archives of Ireland: Landed Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Butcher, 6 Nov 1874, Vol 117, MRGS 39/053, (microfilm copy in NUIG)
• National Archives of Ireland: Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Colthurst, 8 October 1856, Vol 41, MRGS 39/020, (microfilm copy in NUIG)
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of grant of arms to Capt. Nicholas Colthurst of Danesfort, 1854. Genealogical Office Ms. 107, 312-313.
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of confirmation of arms, being Colthurst quartering Conway, to the descendants of the late Sir John Conway Colthurst, Bart., of Ardrum, Co. Cork and to Sir Nicholas Colthurst, Bart., his grandson July 17, 1810. GO Ms.105, p.116
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of confirmation of arms being Colthurst quartering Conway, to the descendants of James Colthurst of Knockanariff, Co. Cork, next younger brother to Sir John Conway Colthurst, 1st Bart. of Ardrum and to his great grandson, Joseph Colthurst of Dripsey Castle Oct. 31, 1867. GO Ms. 109, pp. 155-6
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of confirmation of arms, being Colthurst quartering Conway, to the descendants of the late Sir John Conway Colthurst, Bart., of Ardrum, Co. Cork and to Sir Nicholas Colthurst, Bart., his grandson July 17, 1810. GO Ms.105, p.116
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of Colthurst, Barts., of Ballyally and Ardrum, Killigrohan, Knocknemariff and Dripsey Castle c.1680 1810. GO Ms.113, pp.251-2
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of Colthurst, Barts., of Macroom and Cooleneshan and Ballyally and Ardrum, of Knockannariff, Killigrohan, Dripsey Castle, of Carhue House and Clonmoyle all in Co. Cork, and Lucan House, Co. Dublin 1641 -- 1865. GO Ms.114, pp.6-10
• Suffolk Record Office: Bury Branch: Mackworth-Praed Papers, contain records re the castle & manor of Carrigrohane, near Castlemartyr, county Cork, settled on John Colthurst of Ardrum in the latter half of the 18th century. 400 (Boxes 12, 17, 18 & 20)
• Trinity College Dublin: Colthurst Estate Maps, 1812. MS 11,165

Contemporary printed sources

Many of these resources are now available online. For a list with Web links please see the Online Printed Sources Links

• GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Trughanacmy Barony: 2 (West Lodge), 4 (Cloghers House)
• GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Magunihy Barony: 118 (Danesfort)
• GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : East Muskerry Barony, 57 (Ardrum), 64 (Garravagh)
• BATEMAN, John. The great landowners of Great Britain and Ireland. London: Harrison, 1883. : p.100
• HUSSEY DE BURGH, U. H. The Landowners of Ireland. An alphabetical list of the owners of estates of 500 acres or £500 valuation and upwards in Ireland. Dublin: Hodges, Foster and Figgis, 1878. [available online at www.askaboutireland.ie] : 92
• LEET, Ambrose. A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 11 (Ardrum), 392 (Wood-view: Thomas Cuthbert)
• LEWIS, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: Vol I, 169 (Ballyvourney Parish), Vol.II, 19 (Ardrum), 128 (Killarney Parish)
• ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOKS County Kerry: Vol.I, 127, Anna parish
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion..., HC 1906, c, 177: 231 (Ardrum)
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. 15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland, 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix I, Grants under Acts of Settlement: 277
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. 15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland, 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix III. Abstracts of the conveyances from the trustees of the Forfeited Estates and Interests in Ireland in 1688'.: 384
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland. HC 1876, LXXX: 120
• SLATER, Isaac. Royal National Directory of Ireland: List of the principal seats. (Manchester: 1894) : xxiii, 142
• SMITH, Charles, M.D. The ancient and present state of the county and city of Cork. Containing a natural, civil, ecclesiastical, historical and topographical description thereof . First published 1750. This edition published Cork: John Connor, 1815: I, 172 (Ardrum)
• TOWNSEND, Horatio. Statistical survey of the county of Cork... Dublin: Royal Dublin Society, 1810: 683 (Ardrum)
• WILSON, William. The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 238 (Carrigrohan), 239 (Knight's Bridge)

Modern printed sources

• Analecta Hibernica: MCLYSAGHT, E.A. Colthurst Papers (from 1701), the property of Sir G. Colthurst, of Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, relating to the Jefferyes and Colthurst families and to lands in Co. Cork. No. 15, (1944), p. 372
• Jnl. of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society.: FORSYTHE, Westley R. The finances of the Colthurst estate in the nineteenth century. CVIII (2003), 31-40.
• The Genealogists' Magazine: Colthurst, of Co. Cork. Pedigree, copies of 3 wills and 2 letters. D.MSS 1008 Society of Genealogists, London. Vol. 3, No. 2, June, 1927
• Weekly Irish Times: 12 Nov 1938 Ardrum & Blarney Castle
• BENCE-JONES, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses. Revised ed. London: Constable, 1988. : 11 (Ardrum), 43 (Blarney)
• Bary, Valerie. Historical Genealogical Architectural notes of some Houses of Kerry Whitegate, county Clare: Ballinakella Press, 1994. : 78 (Cloghers House), 95 (Danesfort), 118 (Fortlands),
• CORK COUNTY COUNCIL HERITAGE UNIT. Heritage houses of county Cork. Cork: Cork County Council, 2014. : Blarney Castle, pp.135-137.
• GLIN, Knight of, GRIFFIN, D. J. & ROBINSON, N.K (eds). Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland. Dublin: Irish Architectural Archive/Irish Georgian Society, 1989. : 45
• MONTGOMERY-MASSINGBERD, Hugh (ed). Burke's Irish Family Records. London: Burke's Peerage, 1976: 261-262 [Bowen-Colthurst].
• MOSLEY, Charles (ed). Burke's Peerage and Baronetage. Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 1999: I, 632-634
• O'HEA O'KEEFFE, Jane. Voices from the great houses: Cork and Kerry. (Cork: Mercier Press, 2013): 53-61