Landed Estates
University of Galway

Ffrench (Monivea)

The Monivea estate, barony of Tiaquin, county Galway, was acquired by the ffrenchs from the O'Kellys in the early 17th century. Confiscated by the Cromwellian Commissioners it was repurchased from Lord Trimlestown in 1702 by the family and it remained in their possession until the early 20th century. In the 18th century members of the family represented county Galway in Parliament and established the linen industry at Monivea. Arthur Young in his ''Tour of Ireland'' wrote extensively on the estate improvements made by Robert ffrench. The estate was mainly in the parishes of Killoscobe, Killosolan and Monivea, barony of Tiaquin, county Galway. Robert Ffrench is recorded as the lessor of several townlands in the parish of Athenry, barony of Dunkellin, county Galway in both the Ordnance Survey Name Books and Griffith's Valuation. In the 1870s the estate exceeded 10,000 acres. In the late 19th century the estate was inherited by Kathleen ffrench who also owned large estates in Russia. She sold a large part of the Monivea estate to the Land Commission in 1905.

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Monivea Monivea Demesne Monivea Tuam Monivea 191 Tiaquin Galway OSI Ref: M549 364
OS Sheet: 71
Discovery map: 46 		Photo of Monivea
Corrandoo House Corrandoo Moylough Tuam Monivea 191 Tiaquin Galway OSI Ref: M563 372
OS Sheet: 72
Discovery map: 46 		Photo of Corrandoo House
Glennagloughaun North Glennagloughaun North Monivea Tuam Monieva 191 Tiaquin Galway OSI Ref: M529362
OS Sheet: 71
Discovery map: 46

Archival sources

  • Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), rental of lands in baronies of Athenry & Dunkellin, 8 Nov 1853. Vol 24, 39/010. Copy at NUI, Galway. ; National Archives of Ireland
  • Unsorted collection, including correspondence and estate accounts, c 1730-1870.; National Library of Ireland
  • Account books relating to the French family and their estate at Monivea, 1744-1855. MSS 4918-4931 ; National Library of Ireland
  • 11 vols of rentals, furnished by John R. Berwick, 1855-1867. MSS 4932-4942; National Library of Ireland
  • Account of stock on farm of Robert French of Monivea, 1806-1811. MS 5942; National Library of Ireland
  • Correspondence re management of the estates, 1847. MS 8717; National Library of Ireland
  • Volume containing miscellaneous documents re family of Ffrench of Monieva, especially during Cromwellian & Williamite wars, 17th -18th centuries. MS 2745; National Library of Ireland
  • Pedigree of Ffrench of Monivea Castle, c 1700- c 1890. GO MS 180: 472-275; National Library of Ireland
  • Notes on cases in English & Irish law courts (compiled by Patrick French of Monivea?), with index, 1704-1708. MS 4917; National Library of Ireland
  • Printed Encumbered Estate sale rentals of lands belonging to Robert French of Monivea, 1851-1853 & 4 manuscript rentals 1869-1874. MS 780 ; National Library of Ireland
  • Carte Papers, Letter from the King to the Lord Justices of Ireland re an 'Enquiry to be made into the allegations of Patrick French, in respect to his title to the Castle and Lands of Monevah, in the Barony of Tyaquin, and County of Galway... ', 10 Dec 1661. MS. Carte 42, fol(s). 469; Oxford University: Bodleian Library
  • Currandoo photos. 039/098; Irish Architectural Archive
  • Papers of Captain Evelyn Ffrench of Monieva & New South Wales, mainly literary, genealogical and family, C 1880-1968. MS 22,110; National Library of Ireland

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources