Landed Estates
University of Galway

French /ffrench (Frenchpark)

Patrick French fitzStephen of Galway is recorded as the earliest member of the family to be associated with Frenchpark. He died in 1667 and is buried in the ruined priory there. In March 1666/7 his son, Dominick French of Frenchpark, was granted over 5,000 acres in the barony of Boyle, county Roscommon and his grandson, John French, received a further 2,000 acres in the barony of Ballymoe in 1677. His descendant, Arthur French, was created Baron de Freyne in the Irish Peerage on 5 April 1851. Arthur French was a member of the Grand Panel for county Roscommon in 1828. The French family owned property in Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo. George French is recorded as owning over 500 acres in county Leitrim in the 1870s. In the 1870s Lord de Freyne owned 25,436 acres in county Roscommon, 4,052 acres in county Sligo and 328 acres in county Galway. At the time of Griffith's Valuation, he was one of the principal lessors in the parishes of Castlemore, Kilnamanagh and Tibohine, barony of Frenchpark and in the parish of Cloonygormican, barony of Ballymoe, county Roscommon. The Cloonshanville estate, forming part of the French Park house demesne, was offered for sale in the Landed Estates' Court in February 1870. The Irish Times reported that the lots were purchased in trust for Baroness de Freyne. Over 36,000 acres of the French Park estate was vested in the Congested Districts' Board in July 1906.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Cuilmore Cuilmore Kilfree Boyle Cuilmore 9 Coolavin Sligo OSI Ref: G623059
OS Sheet:
Discovery map: 32
French Park Frenchpark Demesne Tibohine Castlerea Frenchpark 73 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M729920
OS Sheet: 15
Discovery map: `33 		Photo of French Park
Caher Caher Tibohine Castlerea Artagh 56 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M567842
OS Sheet: 19
Discovery map: 32
Ratra House & Stables Ratra Tibohine Castlerea Frenchpark 73 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M686938
OS Sheet: 8
Discovery map: 32 		Photo of Ratra House & Stables
Sheepwalk Sheepwalk Tibohine Castlerea Frenchpark 73 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M705932
OS Sheet: 15
Discovery map: 32 		Photo of Sheepwalk
Rathkeery Glebe Glebe East Tibohine Castlerea Frenchpark 73 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M694931
OS Sheet: 14
Discovery map: 32 		Photo of Rathkeery Glebe
Errit Lodge Derreenamackaun Tibohine Castlerea Artagh South 56 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M545844
OS Sheet: 19
Discovery map: 32 		Photo of Errit Lodge
Cloonshanville Leggatinty Tibohine Castlerea Bellanagare 70 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M738901
OS Sheet: 15
Discovery map: 33 		Photo of Cloonshanville
Derry Lodge Derry Tibohine Castlerea Artagh North 55 Frenchpark Roscommon OSI Ref: M580869
OS Sheet: 19
Discovery map: 32
Oakport Oakport Demesne Ardcarn Boyle Oakport 35 Boyle Roscommon OSI Ref: G879037
OS Sheet: 6
Discovery map: 33

Archival sources

  • Estate papers relating to French properties in counties Leitrim, Roscommon & Sligo, 1810-1862. D.17,222-226. ; National Archives of Ireland
  • Survey of Sligo estates of Arthur French, 1778-9. ; National Archives of Ireland
  • Pedigree of French of Galway, of Dungar (French Park) and of Ennfield, High Lake and Abbey Boyle, all in Co Roscommon, c 1550-c 1820. GO MS 169: 431-440; National Library of Ireland
  • Pedigree of French of Galway city, of Gortrassy and French Park, Co Galway and of Co Roscommon, 1576-c 1830. GO MS 171: 395-406; National Library of Ireland
  • French Papers, Baron de Freyne, deeds, leases, correspondence, maps and other papers, 1628-1910; National Library of Ireland
  • An Act for the Sale of the Settled Estates in the Counties of Sligo and Galway of John Lord De Freyne, and for the Purchase of Estates in the County of Roscommon, to be limited to the Uses of those Settled Estates, 1860. HL/PO/PB/1/1860/23&24V1n298 ; Parliamentary Archives
  • Rental, 1879-1882, 1883-1895. Robinson Collection. ; Sligo County Library
  • Valuation of Ffrench estate, late 19th century. Robinson Collection. ; Sligo County Library
  • Map of part of estate of Rev. W. French, parish of Killery. ; Sligo County Library
  • Landed Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), French (Baron de Freyne), 18 February 1870, Vol 96, MRGS 39/046, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Map of boundaries of estates of Lords Mount Sandford and de Freyne at Castlerea and Frenchpark.n.d. M. 5420.; National Archives of Ireland
  • Maps of twenty two townlands of Lord de Freyne's estates in baronies of Ballymoe, Castlereagh and Frenchpark, county Roscommon & 2 maps of estate of Captain Caulfield French, 1906. 15 A 20 (3-7) & (12-13); National Library of Ireland
  • Local History File - Frenchpark, includes undated copy catalogue of furniture for sale by Lord de Freyne, 20th cent; Roscommon County Library
  • Local History File - Ratra House; Roscommon County Library
  • Private Act, House of Lords, for the Sale of the Settled Estates in the Counties of Sligo and Galway of John Lord De Freyne, and for the Purchase of Estates in the County of Roscommon, to be limited to the Uses of those Settled Estates, 1860. HL/PO/PB/1/1860/23&24V1n298 ; Parliamentary Archives
  • Frenchpark photos & cuttings. 004/019; Irish Architectural Archive
  • Trust deed in connection with the marriage of Arthur French of Frenchpark and Jane Percival, 1722. Small Accs. Index 61, D.6331; National Archives of Ireland
  • Maps of the French estate in county Roscommon, including 1762 survey of Frenchpark demesne, 18th & 19th centuries. 21 F 44 & 21 F 45; National Library of Ireland
  • Lease, Arthur Lord de Freyne to James McGan of lands in Co Roscommon, 1851. M.6170; National Archives of Ireland

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources