Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Old name for Churchtown was Fearann na gCat ("Land of the cats").
Beaufort Parish
says it was inherited by
Dennis McGillycuddy of the Reeks
who married in
1717 to Anne Blennerhassett.
Beaufort Parish
thinks this marriage is how Sir Rowland Blennerhassett ultimately got it (by inheritance).
It is hard to see how, though.
Anne Blennerhassett is not closely related to Sir Rowland for purposes of inheritance.
She is 1st cousin of his father.
There are lots of other relations closer to her.
More likely Sir Rowland Blennerhassett just bought it.
And maybe someone just made an assumption about inheritance because there was a McGillycuddy-Blennerhassett marriage.
The estate became the seat of
Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet (born 1740 or 1741)
where he built a new house, Churchtown House.
Churchtown House and
Beaufort Golf Club
said he built Churchtown House in 1740, but that is obviously too early for him.
Maybe this is confusion with his date of birth.
[Houses of Kerry]
says he
built it in late 18th century.
Churchtown House built, probably 1788:
We can it seems date when it was built.
From land deeds,
Rowland Blennerhassett seems to have moved from Tralee/Blennerville
to Killarney/Churchtown in exactly 1788,
so that is probably when Churchtown House was built.
He is listed as of Churchtown
in various deeds from
[Deed, May 1788] to
[Deed, May 1798].
In 1798, the 1st Baronet moved back to
Blennerville near Tralee.
From late 1798 on, the 1st Baronet is consistently
listed as of Blennerville.
The 1st Baronet's son
Sir Robert Blennerhassett, 2nd Baronet
is listed as of Churchtown in
[Deed, May 1798]
and consistently thereafter.
Churchtown House was seat of
Sir Robert Blennerhassett, 2nd Baronet.
2nd Baronet died at Churchtown in 1831.
Inherited by
Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 4th Baronet.
Churchtown accounts book 1862-64
shows an active and busy farm and estate.
4th Baronet
still living Churchtown as at 1867.
4th Baronet
sold or long-term rented Churchtown c.1870 to
Capt. James McGillycuddy Magill.
Capt. James McGillycuddy Magill then lived there for decades.
Letter of 15 Dec 1892
shows Blennerhassett still had property at Churchtown.
Letter
from the future 5th Baronet,
probably around 1898-1899,
discusses his future plans and whether they could include living in Churchtown.
He says: "I have no longer any plans as regards Churchtown,
since I have no prospects now of having money in hand.
As I have never even seen the place, my interest in it is not increasing."
This suggests Churchtown was still owned by Blennerhassett in the 1890s, and long-term rented out, but not yet sold.
Capt. James McGillycuddy Magill died 1904.
See Churchtown House
today.
It is now
a high-end self-catering house rental.
Also here.
The grounds are
Beaufort Golf Club.
The first mention of Blennerhassett at Churchtown.
Rowland Blennerhassett is described as of Churchtown in
[Deed, May 1788].
Letter of 19 Feb 1791
to
Rowland Blennerhassett at Churchtown, Killarney.
Robert Blennerhassett (later 2nd Baronet) is described as of Churchtown in
[Deed, May 1798].
Robert Blennerhassett (later 2nd Baronet) is described as of Churchtown in
[Deed, 1807].
"R.A. Blennerhasset"
listed at Churchtown in
[Leet's Directory, 1814].
This could be
Robert Blennerhassett, future 2nd Baronet
or (less likely) his 1st cousin
Robert Arthur Blennerhassett.
Churchtown House.
From
1829 to 1842 map.
See modern map.
See street view
of NE entrance.
See street view
of Knockane church to the NW.
Churchtown House.
Video of the golf course showing the ruin of Castle Corr.
From here.
This is the 2nd Baronet.
From here.
This would be William, son of 2nd Baronet.
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