Estate: O'Brien (Dromoland)

Associated Families

• O'Brien (Dromoland) (Baron of Inchiquin)
• O'Brien (Cahermoyle)

Description

The introduction to the Inchiquin Papers in the National Library of Ireland records that, in about 1685, Sir Donough O'Brien, [created 1st Baronet of Leamanegh and Dromoland in 1686 and one of the wealthiest commoners in Ireland], decided to move from Leamaneh Castle near Corofin, county Clare to Dromoland. His son, Lucius O'Brien, and Catherine Keightley were married in 1701 and by 1707 were living in a house at Corofin built by the Lucas family. Lucius died in January 1717 predeceasing his father by a few months so it was his son Edward who became the second baronet. Lucius's half brother, Henry, founded the Stafford O'Brien family. In 1799, the grandson of the 2nd Baronet, another Sir Edward O'Brien, married Charlotte, co heiress with her sister Harriet Arthur, of William Smith of Cahirmoyle, county Limerick. Their second son, William Smith O'Brien, was to become very well known as a supporter of Catholic Emancipation and as a Young Irelander. He succeeded to his grandfather's property at Cahirmoyle. His elder brother, Sir Lucius, became the 5th Baronet and 13th Lord Inchiquin. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Sir Lucius's estate was mainly located in the parishes of Kilnasoolagh and Tomfinlough, barony of Bunratty Lower. He also had townlands in the parishes of Clareabbey, barony of Islands, Clooney, Kilfenora and Kiltoraght, barony of Corcomroe, Kilnamona and Inagh, barony of Inchiquin and Doora, barony of Bunratty Upper. In the 1870s the Dromoland estate was comprised of over 20,000 acres. The 5th Baronet (died 1872) was married twice, first to Mary Fitzgerald of Adelphi and secondly to Louisa Finucane. The Vere O'Briens were descended from another younger brother of the 5th Baronet. They lived at New Hall and Ballyallia and Florence Vere O'Brien was involved in the setting up of Limerick lace making. Her husband, Robert Vere O'Brien, was agent to the Inchiquin and de Vere estates in county Limerick. There is a collection of Vere O'Brien papers in Trinity College, Dublin. The Inchiquin estate was still comprised of about 20,000 acres in the early 1920s but was gradually sold off to the tenants in subsequent years. In 1962 Dromoland Castle itself was sold by the 16th Baron Inchiquin to an American developer. A large collection of estate and family papers in the National Library of Ireland documents the history of the O'Briens and their estates from the 17th to the 20th centuries and is now available for consultation.

Houses

House Name / Description	Townland	Civil Parish	PLU	DED	Barony	County	Map Ref
Newhall (H1842) The original house was bought from the O'Briens by Charles MacDonnell in 1764 who greatly extended the property building on a new front, probably designed by Francis Bindon. Occupied by Robert and Florence Vere O'Brien in the 1890s though Slater notes it as a seat of Charles R.A. MacDonnell in 1894. A home of the Joyce family of county Galway in the 20th century. It is still extant and in 2013, was offered for sale.	Newhall	Killone	Ennis	Clareabbey 31	Islands	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.80823 -9.01147 OSI Ref: R318 735 Discovery map #57. OS Sheet #41.
Ballygirreen (H1939) At the time of Griffith's Valuation Ballygirreen was occupied by Francis O'Donohoe who held the property from Lord Inchiquin. The value of the buildings was £12 in the mid 1850s and in 1906. A house is still extant at the site.	Ballygirreen	Kilnasoolagh	Ennis	Newmarket 41	Bunratty Lower	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.78108 -8.92487 OSI Ref: R376 704 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #42.
Russell Villa (H1950) An early 19th century house built on the Dromoland estate, the home of the Russell family in the 19th and 20th centuries. The building is still extant.	Sixmilebridge	Kilfinaghta	Ennis	Mountievers 118	Bunratty Lower	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.74615 -8.78343 OSI Ref: R471 664 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #52.
Dromoland (H1993) This branch of the O'Briens have lived at Dromoland since the 17th century when they moved from Leamaneh Castle near Corofin to Dromoland. The present building was constructed in the 1830s to the design of James and George Richard Pain replacing an earlier house. In 1962 it was sold to Bernard McDonough, an American of Irish descent, who turned it into a top class hotel. The present Baron Inchiquin lives in Thomond House nearby.	Dromoland	Kilnasoolagh	Ennis	Newmarket 41	Bunratty Lower	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.78393 -8.90418 OSI Ref: R390 707 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #42.
Latoon House (H1994) A 19th century house on the O'Brien estate, occupied by John Lynch in the mid 1850s and valued at £18.	Latoon South	Kilnasoolagh	Ennis	Newmarket 41	Bunratty Lower	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.78199 -8.92341 OSI Ref: R377 705 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #42.
Newmarket House (H1995) Home of a branch of the Studdert family in the 19th century. It was described by Lewis in 1837 as the "spacious mansion of C. Studdert". It was occupied by his widow Maria at the time of Griffith's Valuation. She held the property from Lord Inchiquin and it was valued at £25. Sold by the Studderts at the beginning of the 20th century.	Newmarket	Tomfinlough	Ennis	Newmarket 41	Bunratty Lower	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.76155 -8.89334 OSI Ref: R397 682 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #51.
Ballyallia (H2006) An 18th century house, occupied by Andrew Kerin in 1814. It then became the home of Andrew Stacpoole and was owned by William Stacpoole in fee in the mid 19th century when the buildings, which included a house, steward's house, office and gate lodge, were valued at over £41. By the end of the 19th century the Vere O'Briens were living in the house. The house was considerably altered in the 1970s.	Ballyallia	Templemaley	Ennis	Templemaley 25	Bunratty Upper	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.88225 -8.97308 OSI Ref: R345 817 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #25.
Rosslevan (H2124) This house, close to the town of Ennis, was the residence of Francis Swyny in 1814. Rosslevan was occupied by Michael Kerin at the time of Griffith's Valuation. He held the property from the Reverend James Rynd. Rosslevan would appear to have been the home of the Davis family for some time in the 19th century. Members of the Davis family emigrated to Australia and called their new home Rosslevan. The sale rental of January 1875 records that the house had been "improved lately" and had eight bedrooms and three sitting rooms. Weir writes that Edward O'Brien, third son of the 14th Baron Inchiquin lived in the house before it was burnt in 1922. It is now a ruin.	Rosslevan	Kilraghtis	Ennis	Ennis Rural 26	Bunratty Upper	Clare	Lat/Lon: 52.85992 -8.95624 OSI Ref: R356 792 Discovery map #58. OS Sheet #34.
Ashbourne (H2470) A 2 storey house located on the Earl of Limerick's estate, this house was the seat of the Honourable Robert O'Brien in the 1830s. It was occupied by Richard Wilson in the early 1850s and held from Eliza Harvey. Garrett Hugh Fitzgerald's interest in the property was advertised for sale in May 1851. By the 1870s it was the home of the Synan family. This house is now demolished.	Courtbrack	St Michaels	Limerick	Limerick South Rural 59	Limerick City	Limerick	Lat/Lon: 52.65441 -8.64583 OSI Ref: R563 561 Discovery map #65. OS Sheet #5.

Archival sources

• British Library: Twigge Collections, Add. MSS 39259-39270, historical, topographical and genealogical collections relating to Clan Chuiléin "Macnamara's Country" in east Clare. Microfilm copies in Local Studies Centre, Clare County Library, Ennis.
• Clare County Archives: The Inchiquin Collection, includes deeds, leases, marriage settlements & other documents, 1854-1954. PP/9
• Clare County Library : Copy of survey of the estates of Sir Edward O’Brien Bt situate in the parishes and county of Clare by Michael Logan, Galway 1828
• James Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, Galway: Landed Estates’ Court Rentals (Dunboyne), Inchiquin, O’Brien & Macnamara, 29 Apr 1866, Vol 24, 25-30
• James Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, Galway: Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (Dunboyne), O’Brien & O’Brien, 30 June 1857, Vol 10, 89-90
• National Archives of Ireland: Landed Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Inchiquin, O’Brien & Macnamara, 29 Apr 1866, Vol 81 (25), (commonage Kilfenora) MRGS 39/039, (microfilm copy in NUIG)
• National Archives of Ireland: Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), O’Brien & O’Brien, 30 June 1857, Vol 46 (39), MRGS 39/023, (microfilm copy in NUIG)
• National Archives of Ireland: Large collection of solicitors' records including documents re the O'Brien family, 18th-19th centuries. E.J.French solicitor's collection, Small Accessions Index 8
• National Archives of Ireland: Collection of miscellaneous items from the British Records Association, includes probate of will of William Earl of Inchiquin, from Prerogative Court, Canterbury, 20 May 1780. Small Accs Index 101, T.7315
• National Library of Ireland: Rental of lands of Sir Edward O’Brien in Co Clare with a number of letters re the property, 1827-1828. MS 7877
• National Library of Ireland: Manuscript maps of the estate of Sir Edward O’Brien & Sir Lucius O’Brien in Co Clare, with some lists of tenants, 1733-1811. 21 F. 138
• National Library of Ireland: 4 maps of the estates of Sir E. O’Brien in parishes of Kilnasodagh & Clareabbey, with tenants’ names by M. Logan, 1828. 21 F. 137
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of O’Brien of Dromoland, founders of All Souls College, Oxford, c 1400-1849. GO MS 177: 129-130
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of O’Brien of Dromoland, Bts of Leamanagh, Stone Hall, c 1550-1804. GO MS 112: 34-35
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of O’Brien of Dromoland, with descent from the Hyde family, c 1660-1816. GO MS 178: 383
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of O’Brien of Dromoland Bts, c 1680-1847. GO MS 180: 473
• National Library of Ireland: Genealogies of O’Brien, Viscounts Clare, Earls of Inchiquin, Baronets of Dromoland & of Ennistymon, compiled c 1770. MS 9518
• National Library of Ireland: De Vere Papers, diaries of Lady Charlotte O’Brien of Dromoland and a member of her family, 1856-1860. MSS 3748-3749
• National Library of Ireland: Day book of John Hickie, steward or sub agent to Sir Edward O’Brien at Dromoland, 1831-1836. MS 16,898
• National Library of Ireland: Xerox copy of an illustrated catalogue of pictures, plate & other works of art at Dromoland compiled by Lucius O’Brien (15th Baron), Aug 1894. MS 18,812
• National Library of Ireland: Inchiquin Papers, large collection of estate & family records, mainly 17th-20th centuries. Collection List 143
• National Library of Ireland: Inchiquin Papers, part of the collection was allocated manuscript numbers prior to 2009, for more details see Collection List 143, Appendix 2 & Richard Hayes ed. Manuscript Sources for the History of Irish Civilization (1965) & Supplement (1979).
• National Library of Ireland: Inchiquin Papers, cash book & account book of Sir Lucius O'Brien, 5th Baronet, 1837-1863. MSS 19,437-19,438
• National Library of Ireland: Cash book of William Moody, agent & clerk on the Dromoland estate. MS 42,064
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of O’Brien, Earls & Barons Inchiquin of Dromoland, Co Clare, Cahermoyle, Co Limerick, Blatherwick, Northampton, c 1206-1855. GO MS 178:98-122
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of confirmation of arms to Robert Stephen Vere O’Brien of Curragh Chase, & to his mother Harriet Lucy O’Brien, widow, on their assuming under Royal Licence the name & arms of de Vere, 26 May 1899. GO MS 26 May 1899
• National Library of Ireland: Account book of Robert O’Brien re estate of Reens, Co Limerick & other property, as well as trusts & agencies administered by him, 1839-1853. MS 4246
• National Library of Ireland: Robert Vere O'Brien Papers, deeds, wills & other documents re O'Briens of Dromoland, Stafford O'Brien, De Vere Hunt, Scott of Cahiracon & other families, 18th-20th centuries (unsorted collection). PC 247
• Public Record Office, Northern Ireland: Shannon Papers, include letters & related papers concerning the sale of parts of Lord Inchiquin's estate in Co. Clare, under the trusteeship of Lord Shannon & the Duke of Leinster, 1778-1783. D2707
• Public Record Office, Northern Ireland: Copies of Brooke of Killeagh Papers, include rentals & valuations for the estate of [4th Earl of Inchiquin], in the barony of Inchiquin, Co Clare, c.1740-1854. T2975/13
• Trinity College Dublin: Vere O'Brien Papers, Ms 5021-5099
• Trinity College Dublin: Account of rents paid by tenants by Robin Vere O’Brien, [1883?] & his cash book as agent for estates of H.S. O’Brien, Mrs Monsell & Miss M.C. Ffennell in Cos Clare & Limerick. Mss. 5021 & 5025

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. : Ennis Union, 17 (Sixmilebridge), 24 (Ballygirreen), 25 (Dromoland), 26 (Latoon South), 36 (Newmarket)
• BATEMAN, John. The great landowners of Great Britain and Ireland. London: Harrison, 1883. : p.236
• LEET, Ambrose. A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 168 (Dromoland)
• LEWIS, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: II, 194 (Dromoland)
• ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOKS, county Limerick: VI, 39 (Ashbourne)
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion..., HC 1906, c, 177: 217 (Ballygireen, Dromoland & Ballyallia)
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. 15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland, 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix I, Grants under Acts of Settlement: 247
• 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'.: 352
• PRIOR, Thomas. A list of the Absentees of Ireland, and the yearly value of their estates and incomes spent abroad. 1730: 6
• SLATER, Isaac. Royal National Directory of Ireland: List of the principal seats. (Manchester: 1894) : xxvi, 245 (Dromoland)
• TAYLOR, George & SKINNER, Andrew. Maps of the Roads of Ireland, surveyed in 1777 and corrected down to 1783. Facsimile of 2nd edition. Shannon: Irish University Press, 1969: 200, 202 (Dromoland), 203 (Lemenagh)
• WILSON, William. The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 175 (Dromoland)

Modern printed sources

• Analecta Hibernica: MacLYSAGHT, Edward. Report on the Inchiquin Manuscripts. XV (1944), 363-365
• Dal gCais: Ó MURCHADHA, Ciarán. The Richest Commoner in Ireland – Sir Donough O’Brien of Lemenagh and Dromoland, Baronet, (1642-1717). X (1991), 7-13
• Irish Times: Landed Estates Court Sale reports, 28 April 1866, p.4
• North Munster Antiquarian Journal: MCNAMARA, Leo F. Some Matters Touching Dromoland: Letters of Father and Son, 1758-59. XXVIII (1986), 62-70
• North Munster Antiquarian Journal: HANLEY, Mary. The Story of Máire Ruadh. XXXIII (1991), 22-28
• The Irish Genealogist: O'BRIEN, P.I.D. The Cratloe O'Briens. VI, No 1 (1980), 48-53
• The Irish Genealogist: O'BRIEN, P.I.D. The O'Briens of Dough and Ennistymon. VI, No 5 (1984), 566-564
• The Irish Genealogist: O’BRIEN, The Hon. Donough. The O’Brien Family. I (1937-1942), 164-170
• The Other Clare: SPELLISSY Sean. Ballyalla A Partial History of Other Days. IX (1985), 51-58
• The Other Clare: WEIR, Grania R. Dromoland Wives. XIII (1989), 10-13
• The Other Clare: O’BRIEN, Grania R. A Garden is a Lovesome Thing. XX (1996), 14-16 (Dromoland)
• The Other Clare: MACMAHON, Michael. Lucius and Catherine O’Brien of Corofin. XXV (2001), 51-59
• The Other Clare: O’BRIEN, Grania R. Sir Edward O’Brien 2nd Baronet of Dromoland. XXVIII (2004), 33-35
• The Other Clare: ROWE, Veronica. Ballyalla and the Clare Embroidery Class. XXIX (2005), 11-14
• The Other Clare: BERRY, Róisín. The Inchiquin Collection: A New Perspective on an Ancient Clare Family. XXX (2006), 23-24
• Weekly Irish Times: 16 May 1936
• AINSWORTH, Sir John (ed.). The Inchiquin Manuscripts. Dublin: Irish Manuscripts Commission, 1961 : All
• BENCE-JONES, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses. Revised ed. London: Constable, 1988. : 109 (Dromoland), 183 (Leamaneagh)
• EUSTACE, P. Beryl (ed.). Registry of Deeds, Dublin: Abstracts of Wills. Dublin: Stationery Office, 1954: Will of Sir Donat O'Brien, 16 Nov 1717. I, 60
• HOWARD, Joseph Jackson and CRISP, Frederick Arthur (eds). Visitation of Ireland. Baltimore: reprint by Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc., 1973: VI, 36-52
• MOSLEY, Charles (ed). Burke's Peerage and Baronetage. Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 1999: 1491-1502
• NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND. Reports on Private Collections: Vere O'Brien, mainly relating to families of Hunt, O'Brien & de Vere & lands in Cos Limerick & Clare. Report No 137 & Supplementary Report 305
• O'BRIEN, Hon. Donough. History of the O'Briens, from Brian Boroimhe, AD. 1000 to AD. 1945. London: 1949: All
• O'BRIEN, Ivar. O'Brien of Thomond: The O'Briens in Irish History 1500-1865. Chichester: 1986: All
• WEIR, Hugh W. L. Historical, Genealogical and Architectural notes on some Houses of Clare. Whitegate, county Clare: Ballinakella Press, 1999. : 23, 110, 176, 208, 237