Landed Estates
University of Galway

Forward (Castleforward)

William Forward was an MP representing St. Johnston in the parliament of Ireland. His father, John Forward, had been one of the defenders at the Siege of Derry. Roulston states that this estate comprised lands which had originally been granted to members of the Cunningham family and to William Stewart of Dundaff in the early 1600s. These estates at Castleforward in the barony of Raphoe North came into the hands of the Howard family, Earls of Wicklow, through the marriage, in 1755, of Alice Forward, William's daughter and heiress, with Ralph Howard.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Castleforward Castleforward Demesne Allsaints Londonderry Castleforward Raphoe North Donegal OSI Ref: C325173
OS Sheet: 47
Discovery map: 6

Archival sources

  • Building account relating to Castle Forward, co. Donegal, c. 1735-1739. Ms.10,470. ; National Library of Ireland
  • Lease for lives by the Honourable William Forward, Castleforward, Co. Donegall to William Motherall, Leitrim, Co. Donegall of part of Leitrim, par Taughboyne, Co. Donegall. December 1788. 999/136/3. ; National Archives of Ireland
  • Volume of 14 maps of the Manor of Portlough, in the barony of Raphoe, Co. Donegal, the estate of Rt. Hon. William Forward, 1727-1810. Ms.5585.; National Library of Ireland
  • Survey of the estate of William Forward at Coalmakltrean, Port Lough and Burt in Co. Donegal by Archibald Stewart, July, 1727. Ms.4247.; National Library of Ireland
  • Surrender and release for 61 years. £50 Rent. Earl of Donegall to Mrs Isabella Forward, Bath, Somerset, Relict of late Wm. Forward of Castleforward. 1770 relates to lands at Burt and surrounding areas. D652/253. ; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
  • List of tenants and buildings and rent list for Castle Forward estate, 1785. Ms.38,561; National Library of Ireland
  • List of towns and tenants' names of the Burt, Dundaff and Castleforward estates of William Forward, c.1800. Ms38,561. ; National Library of Ireland
  • Forward estate rental, c.1790. Ms.9582. ; National Library of Ireland

Modern printed sources