French (Frenchgrove)
Patrick Melvin writes that this family claimed to have held the Frenchgrove estate from the mid 17th century. An estate in the parish of Kilcommon, barony of Kilmaine, county Mayo, was held by James French in the 19th century. By the time of the first Ordnance Survey the Frenchs appear to be residing in Tuam. Their agent and receiver was Mr Bolton. In 1876 the representatives of James French owned 667 acres in county Mayo. Martin Kirwan of Frenchgrove was recorded as a resident landlord for the barony of Kilmaine in 1802. He was married to Bridget French.
Associated Families
Houses
| Name | Townland | Civil Parish | PLU | DED | Barony | County | Map Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frenchgrove | Frenchgrove | Kilcommon | Ballinrobe | Kilcommon 38 | Kilmaine | Mayo |
OSI Ref: M324 633
OS Sheet: 119 Discovery map: 39 |
|
Archival sources
- Irish Tourist Association. Topographical and General Survey, 1941-1945. Parish of Robeen & Kilcommon. ITA/3/14; Mayo County Library
- Fr. Martin Heaney Collection, Mayo Abbey. P45/09/03: 74; Tuam Diocesan Archives, Tuam
Contemporary printed sources
- M'PARLAN, James. ''Statistical survey of the county of Mayo''. Dublin: Royal Dublin Society, 1802: 106 (Kirwan)
- LEET, Ambrose. ''A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland''. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 190
- ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOKS, County Mayo: Vol IV, 188
- HUSSEY DE BURGH, U. H. ''The Landowners of Ireland. An alphabetical list of the owners of estates of 500 acres or £500 valuation and upwards in Ireland''. Dublin: Hodges, Foster and Figgis, 1878. [available online at www.askaboutireland.ie] : 171
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland''. HC 1876, LXXX: 309
Modern printed sources
- MELVIN, Patrick. The Galway Tribes as Landowners and Gentry. In MORAN, Gerard (ed). ''Galway: History & Society''. Dublin: Geography Publications, 1996 : 319-374
- ''Irish Ancestor'': Martin French of French Grove, leaves French Grove to his wife Bridget Kirwan nee French & £1000, mention of his nephew Patrick Kirwan & his friend Thos Redington of Ryhill, 1807. Abstracts of Wills. VIII (1981), 63-72