Landed Estates
University of Galway

Bournes

In 1707 the Bournes family, Cromwellian settlers from Castle Connor, county Sligo, acquired lands in the Rossport area, barony of Erris, county Mayo, from Sir Arthur Shaen. Branches of the family were established at Rossport, Carrownaglogh or Stonefield and Portacloy, parish of Kilcommon. In 1855 George Smith Bournes, eldest son of Samuel Bournes of Rossport House and his wife Maria Watts, daughter of Andrew Watts of Ballinglen, county Mayo married Elizabeth Hartley Isabella Wallace, eldest daughter of Charles P. Wallace formerly of Lime Park, county Galway. The Countess of Wessex descends from this marriage, seehttp://www.thepeerage.com/p10414.htm#i104136. Almost 3000 acres of John Bournes estate in county Mayo was offered for sale in the Landed Estates Court in November 1867 but the sale was adjourned due to only one bid being placed. In 1876 members of the Bournes family living in Clara, county Offaly, owned 5760 acres in county Mayo. Most of the estate was sold to the Land Commission in 1926.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Rossport House Rosdoagh Kilcommon Belmullet Muingnabo 54 Erris Mayo OSI Ref: F827 385
OS Sheet: 4
Discovery map: 22

Archival sources

  • Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Ferrall, 9 Feb 1858, Vol 50, MRGS 39/024, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Landed Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Bournes, 8 Nov 1867, Vol 87, MRGS 39/042, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Copy of confirmation of arms to George Smith Bournes of Rossport House, Co Mayo, 15 Oct 1901. GO MS 111, 105-106; National Library of Ireland
  • Papers of Henry Bournes Higgins (1851-1929), includes letters from Bournes family members, Rossport. Ms 1057 ; National Library of Australia

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources