Landed Estates
University of Galway

Saunders (Killavalla & Largay)

This family descend from an officer in Cromwell's army, who settled at Saunder's Court, county Wexford, where he was granted an estate by Charles II. Later descendants lived at Newtown Saunders, county Wicklow and Largay, county Cavan. In 1799, Owen Saunders married Mary Anne, daughter of Richard Sadleir of Sadleir's Wells, county Tipperary. Their second son, Henry O. Saunders, held two townlands in the parish of Borrisokane, county Tipperary in the mid 19th century. His sister was married to Thomas Sadleir of Castletown. In the 1870s Henry Saunders of Killavalla, Borrisokane, owned 1,052 acres in county Tipperary. In May 1877, part of the lands of Ballinderry (317 acres) including the house, the estate of Edward Saunders, was advertised for sale. The Irish Times reported that it was bought by W.J. Russell for over £8000. A marriage in the 18th century with a member of the Parker family may have led to the acquisition of the Saunders estate in county Cavan where the family were based at Largay, now known as Blacklion. In the mid-19th century the main part of the Cavan estate of Richard Saunders was in the parish of Killinagh, barony of Tullyhaw, but he also held land in the parishes of Crosserlough, Denn and Kilmore, barony of Upper Loughtee. Richard’s younger brother lived at Greyfort, county Tipperary. In 1876, Richard Saunders of Dublin owned 1,773 acres and Richard Saunders of Dartford, Kent, owned 3,588 acres in county Cavan.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Ballinderry Ballinderry Ardcrony Borrisokane Mertonhall 15 Lower Ormond Tipperary OSI Ref: R905 905
OS Sheet: 10
Discovery map: 53
Killavalla Killavalla Borrisokane Borrisokane Borrisokane 7 Lower Ormond Tipperary OSI Ref: R926 945
OS Sheet: 10
Discovery map: 53 		Photo of Killavalla
Greyfort Cottage [later Greyfort House] Greyfort Borrisokane Borrisokane Borrisokane 7 Lower Ormond Tipperary OSI Ref: R926 935
OS Sheet: 10
Discovery map: 53
Tuam House Tuam Killinagh Enniskillen Tuam Tullyhaw Cavan OSI Ref: H072383
OS Sheet: 2
Discovery map: 26 		Photo of Tuam House
Fort Henry [Greyfort Cottage] Borrisokane Greyfort Borrisokane Borrisokane Borrisokane 7 Lower Ormond Tipperary OSI Ref: R925941
OS Sheet: 10
Discovery map: 53

Archival sources

  • S. Gordon & Son, solicitor's collection, includes papers relating to property of the Saunders family in Cos. Tipperary, Cavan and Wicklow and in Dublin City, 1693-1845. Associated names Crawford and Towers. Small Accs. Index 103, D. 17,945-65: T. 7193, M.2247; National Archives of Ireland
  • Papers relating to property mainly in Co. Tipperary in and near Cashel and in Cos. Wicklow and Kildare and Dublin City, of the Pennefather family, 1745-1898. Associated names Ryves, Coakey, Saunders etc. D. 17,597-736: M. 2090-2175: T. 7150-72 ; National Archives of Ireland
  • Autobiography of the Rev. Adam Blair, 1718-1790; genealogy of Anderson Saunders of Newtown Saunders, co. Wicklow; diaries of Rev. John Cook, of Waterford, 1733; notes on persons named Brett; memoranda by Elizabeth Freeman, Nenagh and Ballinware, co. Tipperary 1777-1786. Genealogical Office: Ms. 544 ; National Library of Ireland
  • Landed Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Saunders, 29 May 1877, Vol 127 (87), MRGS 39/058, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Deed leading to the uses of a Recovery by Anderson Saunders, Newtown, Co. Wicklow to William Noy, Dublin of Ballinderry, Ballyroorke etc. Co. Tipperary, and Newtown, Bowhy, Ballybrackbegg etc. Co. Wicklow, for one year, 18 Jan. 1737. 999/24/2; National Archives of Ireland
  • Grant forever by John Walsh, Old Connogh, Co Dublin to Morley Saunders, Dublin City of a house in Dublin City; a house in Galway City; Crehan and property in Cavan town, also an old mill; part of Mannor Highgate, Co. Fermanagh. Consideration: £46 stg. 18 Sep 1703. 999/6/1; National Archives of Ireland
  • Deed of assignment. Trustees of Morley Saunders to Archdeacon of Cashel. Cappanagh, etc, Co. Cavan. 8 July 1738. D1503/2/19/9; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
  • Deed to reduce rents. Richard Saunders to Rev. Hugh Hamilton and T.C. Hamilton, Esq., Corglass, Co. Cavan. 10 March 1846. D1503/2/28/4; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources