Landed Estates
University of Galway

Blake (Doonmacreena & Oranmore)

This branch of the Blake family, descended from the Blakes of Ballyglunin, county Galway, was settled at Doonmacreena on the border between counties Mayo and Galway from the early 17th century. They were regranted their estate, almost 3,356 acres in the barony of Clanmorris, under the Acts of Settlement. Through a marriage in 1693 they acquired an estate at Oranmore, outside Galway city, from the Athy family. Their county Mayo estate amounted to over 2500 acres in the parishes of Crossboyne and Kilvine in the barony of Clanmorris and their county Galway estate to over 200 acres in the parish of Oranmore, barony of Dunkellin. According to ''Burke's Irish Family Records'' one 18th century member of this family had a colourful career. In 1824 Walter Blake of Oran Castle is described as a resident proprietor in county Galway. The Blakes sold their Doonmacreena estate in 1851 and their Oranmore estate was advertised for sale in 1853 and bought by James Dillon Meldon. However, Walter Blake was the lessor of property in Oranmore at the time of Griffith's Valuation in 1855. The mother of John Blake Dillon, one of the co founders of "The Nation" newspaper was a Blake of Doonmacreena.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Doonmacreena Doonmacreena Kilvine Claremorris Kilvine 80 Clanmorris Mayo OSI Ref: M431 676
OS Sheet: 112
Discovery map: 39 		Photo of Doonmacreena
Oran Castle Oranmore Oranmore Galway Oranmore 56 Dunkellin Galway OSI Ref: M377245
OS Sheet: 95
Discovery map: 46 		Photo of Oran Castle
Carrowbrowne Castle Carrowbrowne Oranmore Galway Carrowbrowne Galway Galway OSI Ref: M316301
OS Sheet: 83
Discovery map: 46

Archival sources

  • Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Blake, 18 Nov 1851 & 3 Feb 1857, Vols 12 & 42, MRGS 39/005 & 39/021, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Blake lands at Oranmore & Doonmacreena, 8 Nov 1853, Vol 24, MRGS 39/010, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Pedigree of Blake of Dunmicreeny, Co Mayo, of Fartingara, Co Galway and of Malaga, Spain, c 1550-1754. GO MS 162, 82-84; National Library of Ireland
  • Pedigree of Blake of Co Galway, Dunmacreene, Co Mayo and of the West Indies and England, c 1560-1829. GO MS 170, 210-24; National Library of Ireland
  • Oranmore Castle. Photographs & Press Cuttings. 022/077.; Irish Architectural Archive
  • Irish Tourist Association. Topographical and General Survey, 1941-1945. Parish of Ballindine. ITA/3/21; Mayo County Library
  • Kirwan Papers, include deed of conveyance of estate of Xaverius Blake of Doonmacreena in the barony of Clanmorris, Co Mayo & baronies of Dunkellin and Dunmore, Co Galway, to John Kirwan of Castlehackett as trustee for Blake's debts, 1 Feb 1781. LE8/2; James Hardiman Library, University of Galway

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources