Landed Estates
University of Galway

Nesbitt (Lismore)

Alexander Nesbitt settled in county Donegal in the early 17th century. The Nesbitts came to own an estate in county Cavan through the marriage in 1713 of Alexander’s grandson, Thomas Nesbitt, and Jane daughter and heir of Arnold Cosby of Lismore, county Cavan, High Sheriff 1718. Jane Cosby was a descendant of Arnold Cosby, born in 1591, settled in county Cavan, son of Alexander Cosby and Dorcas Sydney from whom the Stradbally, county Laois family also descend. Thomas and Jane’s eldest son Cosby Nesbitt married Anne Enery of Bawnboy and was High Sheriff of the county in 1764. In the mid-19th century the Nesbitt estate was located in the parishes of Larah, Kilmore, Castlerahan, Ballintemple and Crosserlough, while a cousin John Albert Nesbitt held land in the parish of Drumlane. In 1876, Alexander Nesbitt of Lismore and London owned 9,735 acres in county Cavan. He died in 1886 and was succeeded by his sister Mary Anne who was married to James Edward Burrowes, second son of Thomas Burrowes of Stradone. In 1885, their son Thomas Cosby Burrowes married a Maxwell of Fortland. In 1877, John Albert Nesbitt of Forthill, Belturbet, owned 377 acres. http://www.nisbetts.co.uk/archives/nesalx.htm

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Killicar House Killicar Drumlane Cavan Ardue Lower Loughtee Cavan OSI Ref: H325147
OS Sheet: 14
Discovery map: 27
Heath Lodge Leiter Enniskeen Bailieborough Lisagoan Clankee Cavan OSI Ref: N743970
OS Sheet: 35
Discovery map: 35
Riverview/Cloggy House Cloggy Killashandra Cavan Crossdoney Tullyhunco Cavan OSI Ref: N347986
OS Sheet: 25
Discovery map: 34
Lismore Lodge Crossdoney/Lismore Demesne Kilmore Cavan Crossdoney Clanmahon Cavan OSI Ref: H370006
OS Sheet: 25
Discovery map: 34 		Photo of Lismore Lodge
Lismore Castle Lismore Demesne Kilmore Cavan Crossdoney Clanmahon Cavan OSI Ref: H367005
OS Sheet: 25
Discovery map: 34
Rockville (Crossdoney) Rocks Kilmore Cavan Crossdoney Clanmahon Cavan OSI Ref: H371010
OS Sheet: 25
Discovery map: 34

Archival sources

  • Deeds, etc. Concerning estates of the Byrine, Cullen and Nesbitt families, Cos Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo, 1723-1825. 999/260; National Archives of Ireland
  • Letter from J.B. Burrowes, Dublin, to John Nesbitt, London, enclosing rental for: Derinegan Mullinanane Currabrussan Aughnahaher Curnacarrow Carrofin Drummany, [Co. Cavan?] Riverview, [Co. Wexford?] Riorry, [Rivory, Co. Cavan?], 12 Dec. 1823. 999/625/2; National Archives of Ireland
  • Manuscript maps (17) of the Tullygarvey estate of John Nesbitt, parish of Larah, Co Cavan, by Robert Stratford, 1841. 21 F 4.; National Library of Ireland
  • Accounts, correspondence, rentals and other documents relating to the Lismore and Tullygarvey estates, Co Cavan and Clonsast and Castleraghan estate, Co Offaly, of the Nesbitt family, 1665-1930. Also documents relating to the Burrowes and Nesbitt families. BR.CAV.18.; National Archives of Ireland
  • John Jones, Belturbet, to Capt. Thos. Nesbitt, M.P., Dublin. Concerning leases of lands and rents thereof, in Co. Cavan. 23 November 1725. MIC/438/7; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
  • Typescript copy of will of Thomas Nesbitt of Lismore, Co. Cavan - various family bequests. 18 March 1744; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
  • Letters, accounts, etc, of the 2nd Viscount de Vesci concerning the entitlement of the younger children of the Rt Hon. William Brownlow, including Frances, the 2nd Viscount's wife, under Brownlow's will, which include a 'mystery' rental of a 'Cavan estate', comprising the lands of Carnone, Macherihee, Ruskie, Carrickbrack, Fendrum, Killenure, Upper Cavan and Milltown, with a rental of £415 per annum. It seems to be signed 'James Nisbet', and may therefore relate to the estate of the Nesbitt family of Lismore, Co. Cavan?, and conceivably to a projected marriage between a Nesbitt and a Vesey?] [c. 1720]; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources