Estate: Corker

Associated Families

• Corker

Description

Family history sources suggest the Corkers were originally a Lancashire family. Thomas Corker purchased or leased property in the Inishannon area from the Earl of Cork (later the Duke of Devonshire)'s estate in the early eighteenth century. In 1850 the rental of lands in the barony of East Carbery, the property of Chambre Corker, was offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court. James Corker was one of the principal lessors in the parish of Inishannon, barony of East Carbery, at the time of Griffith's Valuation. In the 1870s, Mrs. Corker of Inishannon owned over 160 acres, while the representatives of John Corker were proprietors of 300 acres in county Cork.

Houses

House Name / Description	Townland	Civil Parish	PLU	DED	Barony	County	Map Ref
Cor Castle (H2746) Thomas Frewen was leasing this property to James Corker at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £16 10s. In 1837 it was the seat of Chambre Corker. Cor Castle was in ruins for many years following its burning in June 1921 during the War of Independence. At the time it was the residence of Mrs. Carolne Stephenson, who, Donnelly indicates, had inherited it from her mother, Sophia Corker. It has recently been restored.	Ardnaclug	Inishannon	Bandon	Inishannon 6	East Carbery (East)	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.76447 -8.66927 OSI Ref: W538571 Discovery map #86 or 87. OS Sheet #97.
Belmont (Inishannon) (H2748) James Corker was leasing this property to Frederick Meade at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £16 10s. Lewis refers to it as the seat of Major Meade in 1837. It is still extant and occupied.	Ardnaclug	Inishannon	Bandon	Inishannon 6	East Carbery (East)	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.76625 -8.67219 OSI Ref: W536573 Discovery map #86 or 87. OS Sheet #97.
Downdaniel (H2749) The representatives of Chambre Corker were leasing this property to Rev. Richard Lane Connor at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £40. Lewis records it as the seat of Rev. Connor in 1837 when he describes it as a "modern mansion near the old castle". In the 1870s Downdaniel is recorded as the address of James Young Sandys. It is still extant.	Skevanish	Inishannon	Bandon	Inishannon 6	East Carbery (East)	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.76890 -8.67947 OSI Ref: W531576 Discovery map #86. OS Sheet #97.
Firgrove (H2750) At the time of Griffith's Valuation, the representatives of Chambre Corker were leasing this property to Richard Quinn when it was valued at £18. In 1837 Lewis notes it as the seat of R. Quin. In 1906 it was held by the representatives of Mary Quinn and valued at £7 10s. A house still exists at this site.	Skevanish	Inishannon	Bandon	Inishannon 6	East Carbery (East)	Cork	Lat/Lon: 51.76628 -8.66640 OSI Ref: W540573 Discovery map #86. OS Sheet #97.

Archival sources

• National Archives of Ireland: Encumbered Estates Court Rentals (O'Brien), Corker, 11 June 1850, Vol 1, MRGS 39/001, (microfilm copy in NUIG)
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of Corker of Dublin and Upper Lota and Downdaniel, Co. Cork, c.1700 -- c.1820. Genealogical Office: Ms.173, p.57
• National Library of Ireland: Pedigree of Corker of Monkstown, Co. Dublin, and Upper Lota, Co. Cork, c.1670 -- c.1800. Ms.177, pp.153-4

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. : East Carbery (East) Barony: 61 (Ardnaclug), 64 (Skevanish)
• LEWIS, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: Vol.II, p.21. Inishannon Parish
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Return of names of proprietors and area and valuation of properties in counties in Ireland, held in fee or perpetuity or long leases at chief rents, 1876. (412) LXXX. 395: 61
• PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland. HC 1876, LXXX: 130

Modern printed sources

• Jnl. of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society.: DAY, Robert. Heraldry: the Corker arms. With query by D. Townshend. Ser. 1, Vol. III,(1894) pp. 153-154, p. 172
• Éire-Ireland: DONNELLY, James S. Jnr. Big House burning in county Cork during the Irish revolution, 1920-21. XLVIII, 3 & 4, Fall-Winter (2012), pp.141-197.