Landed Estates
University of Galway

Massy

The Massy family are descended from a Cromwellian soldier Captain Hugh Massy who was granted 3,055 acres in the barony of Coshlea, county Limerick, for his military services. His grant included the lands of Duntrileague. Two of his great grandsons became the 1st Baron Massy of Duntrileague and the 1st Baron Clarina of Elm Park. During the 18th century Duntrileague was the family seat but in the 19th century their main residence was Hermitage, close to Limerick city. In 1760 Hugh 2nd Baron Massy married Catherine eldest daughter and co heiress with her sister Lady Carrick of Edward Taylor of Ballynort. Ballynort and the Massy interest in the Taylor estate passed to their second son Edward. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Lord Massy is recorded as the immediate lessor of lands principally in the parish of Galbally but also in the parishes of Kilbeheny and Kilbreedy Major, barony of Coshlea and Stradbally, barony of Clanwilliam. In the 1870s Lord Massy owned 8,568 acres in county Limerick and 1,120 acres in county Tipperary however his largest estate was in county Leitrim, amounting to over 24,000 acres in 1878. The Massy family had property in north county Leitrim with the bequest of the White estate at Lareen to John Massy, afterwards 6th Lord Massy. See http://homepage.eircom.net/~fmasters/landlords.html#Massy for more information. In the 1830s the Massy estate also owned property in the parish of Killora, county Galway where the agent was George Falkner of Tipperary. This property seems to have been leased by Richard Rathbourne of Ballymore. It was offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates court in May 1852. Most of the Massy lands were sold in the last two decades of the 19th century and the family residences in the early years of the 20th century.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Munakill Munakill Clooneclare Manorhamilton Munakill 53 Dromahaire Leitrim OSI Ref:
OS Sheet: 12
Discovery map: 26
Lareen Lareen Rossinver Ballyshannon Gubascreeney 4 Rosclogher Leitrim OSI Ref: G843560
OS Sheet: 2
Discovery map: 16
Fortland House Lissinagroagh Clooneclare Manorhamilton Munakill 55 Rosclogher Leitrim OSI Ref: G926395
OS Sheet: 8, 15
Discovery map: 16
Hermitage Hermitage Stradbally Limerick Castleconnell 47 Clanwilliam Limerick OSI Ref: R652 613
OS Sheet: 6
Discovery map: 58 		Photo of Hermitage
Ballynacourty Hermitage Stradbally Limerick Castleconnell 47 Clanwilliam Limerick OSI Ref: R656 602
OS Sheet: 6
Discovery map: 58
Milford Sreelane Kilmurry Limerick Ballysimon 45 Clanwilliam Limerick OSI Ref: R616 580
OS Sheet: 5
Discovery map: 65 		Photo of Milford
Massy Lodge Anglesborough Galbally Mitchelstown Anglesborough 81 Coshlea Limerick OSI Ref: R811 212
OS Sheet: 57
Discovery map: 74 		Photo of Massy Lodge
Stagdale Lodge Lissanarroor Galbally Mitchelstown Riversdale 86 Coshlea Limerick OSI Ref: R841 287
OS Sheet: 50
Discovery map: 74

Archival sources

  • Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Massy lands in Dunkellin, leased to Rathbourne, 7 May 1852, Vol 14, MRGS 39/006, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Irish Tourist Association. Topographical and General Survey, 1941-1945. Kinlough. File 145. ; Leitrim County Library
  • 6th Baron Massy's Game Register 1887-1915 & Hermitage Fisheries Register 1906-1928. (see bibliography in Frank Tracey's book); Private Possession
  • Detailed abstracts of wills of Massy of Duntrileage, Co Limerick, Tinnerana, Co Clare, Ballyvier, Co Tipperary & Limerick City, 1701-1766. GO MS 139: 60-62; National Library of Ireland
  • 45 surveys & plans of Duntryleague estate in the parish of Galbally, Co Limerick, property of Lord Massy, 1718-1825. 16 F 13; National Library of Ireland
  • 16 deeds re Fitzgibbon, Monsell, Lyons, Cudmore & Massy families, including will of R. Chappell Whaley, 1768, 1742-1854. D 6597-6612; National Library of Ireland
  • Abstracts of wills of Massy of Duntrileage, Co Limerick, Tinnerana, Co Clare, Ballyvier, Co Tipperary & Limerick city, 1701-1766. GO MS 139:60-62; National Library of Ireland
  • Historical account of the family of Massey of Duntrileague, Co Limerick, 1783.; Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service
  • Two depositions by tenants re interference with estate of Lord Massy, parish of Galbally, Co Limerick, July & Oct 1828. MS 8174; National Library of Ireland
  • Irish Tourist Association Survey file for parish of Kilbehenny, barony of Coshlea, 1943. Limerick North East 20; Limerick Studies Department, Dooradoyle
  • William B. Fitt & Co, auctioneers, 46 O'Connell St., Limerick, inventories & valuations of Co Limerick properties, including Hermitage, 1915. Ref. 1993.0172; Limerick City Museum

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources