Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
The new
Ballyseedy House
was originally built as Elm Grove (or Elmgrove)
in 1721.
There is a plaque dated 1721
in the banquet hall.
It was not the residence of
Col. John Blennerhassett,
who remained living at
the old
Ballyseedy Castle.
Rather,
it was the residence of his brother
William Blennerhassett, senior.
Though if it was built in 1721, it seems William was too young to build it.
Possibly Col. John built it for his brother.
William Blennerhassett, senior
was living Elm Grove in 1756.
He rebuilt
Elm Grove
in
1760s
[Mc Morran, 1991].
The old
Ballyseedy Castle
was abandoned some time after 1775 and fell into ruin.
"Elm Grove" appears in the location of New Ballyseedy on
1777 map.
Elm Grove was
re-modelled by
William Blennerhassett, junior
in and around 1788.
From entry of 25 Aug 1788 in
[Rev. Daniel A. Beaufort's Tour of Kerry, 1788]:
"my companions set out in their Cabriole for Killarney where I was to follow after paying two visits.
My first was to Mr Blennerhassett of Elm grove, whom I found now to be the Collector
& to live in the town opposite the Inn.
When I called he had been gone to Elm Grove some hours.
I ordered my chaise & followed but on the road was stopped by Col. Blennerhassett of Arbela & Counsellor Frankland
who knew me and as they were going to see me at [?Ardarty] they turned back to the Grove,
where the Collector has almost finished an immense house,
in a low situation, close to the river Leigh [Lee]
tempted by two small offices to prefer this to a noble situation just above it.".
When the three Arthur Blennerhassetts in turn
inherit "Ballyseedy"
in 1775,
1799
and 1810,
it seems they are inheriting the estate
rather than the old house, which is becoming a ruin.
It is notable that all three seem to live somewhere other than Ballyseedy,
which would suggest that "Elm Grove" (new Ballyseedy) stands,
while "Ballyseedy" (old Ballyseedy) is becoming a ruin.
The Ballyseedy line
of the Blennerhassetts died out 1965.
The house was left to
Sir Adrian Blennerhassett, 7th Baronet
who sold it in
1967 to Arthur and Eileen Sheraton.
Ballyseedy and Elmgrove and Ballycarty on
1777 map.
Up is W.
[Houses of Kerry]
considered Elmgrove as a separate building to New Ballyseedy.
But it seems clear from this map
that Elmgrove is New Ballyseedy.
The map shows "Elm Grove" in the location of the new Ballyseedy House,
and shows the old Ballyseedy Castle a mile to the W.
[Mc Morran, 1991]
also supports this.
[The Post-chaise Companion, 1786, p.186]
shows
William Blennerhassett at
Elmgrove.
To the W it shows
the abandoned
Old Ballyseedy.
Arthur Blennerhassett (died 1815) listed at Elmgrove (house)
and Ballyseedy (land) in
[Leet's Directory, 1814].
Ballyseedy when it was the seat of Arthur Blennerhassett, after his alterations.
From the W side.
A note on the back says c.1830.
But the front lists him as MP for Co.Kerry. If front writing is done at same time as picture,
then picture must be 1837-43.
Drawing at Glin Castle.
Note the old front door was on the W side.
The front door was later moved to the E side.
The low N extension is similar to present day.
But the main S block is different.
See larger
and wider
and full size.
New Ballyseedy on
1887 to 1913 map.
The main block is to the S.
The lower extension leads away to the N.
See other copy.
The Ballyseedy estate, for sale in the 1990s.
Image formerly here.
Compare with the estate as at apparently 1919.
Ballyseedy House.
From
satellite view.
Ballyseedy. View from Monument Wood to the SW.
See larger
and full size.
Photo apparently 2008. From
Bill Jehan.
Gates of Ballyseedy.
See larger
and full size.
Photo 2004. From
Bill Jehan.
See street view.
The old fireplace.
Photo 2016.
See larger
and full size.
See
wide shot.
The old fireplace.
Photo 2016.
See larger
and full size.
Close-up of RHS panel, showing
Blennerhassett arms.
Photo 2016.
See larger
and full size.
See also
LHS panel.
Close-up of RHS panel.
Photo 2016.
See larger
and full size.
Stone plaque above the fireplace, with the date "1721".
This is the date of the new building.
Photo 2016.
See larger
and full size.
See 2000 photo.
The plaque reads:
Return to
Ballyseedy.
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