Landed Estates
University of Galway

ffrench (Castle ffrench)

Originally known as Clogher and purchased by the ffrenches from the O'Kellys in 1636. Confiscated by the Cromwellian Commissioners and granted to a Doctor Fennell and repurchased from Fennell's widow by Jasper ffrench in 1671. Charles ffrench was created a baronet in 1779. In the early 19th century family members were heavily involved in banking and business enterprises in Galway and Tuam. In 1851 following banking setbacks and the Famine the estate was sold in the Encumbered Estates' Court to James Thorngate. The Castle Ffrench estate was in the baronies of Killian and Kilconnell, county Galway, but it also included Rosleague and other land in the parish of Ballinakill, barony of Ballynahinch and the lands of Beagh, barony of Moycarn, county Roscommon. Rosleague was sold to Henry G. Fletcher. The ffrenches repurchased the estate in 1919. At the time of Griffith's Valuation two sons of Sir Thomas Ffrench, 2nd Baron, namely Martin and Gonville, held estates in counties Galway and Mayo in their own names (see separate entries for ffrench of Claremont and Ballinamore).

Associated Families

Houses

Name Townland Civil Parish PLU DED Barony County Map Ref  
Castleffrench Castle ffrench Killosolan Mountbellew Castle ffrench 146 Kilconnell Galway OSI Ref: M763 457
OS Sheet: 47
Discovery map: 47 		Photo of Castleffrench

Archival sources

  • Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), ffrench, 3 June 1851, Vol 8, MRGS 39/003, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
  • Ffrench of Castleffrench, unsorted collection, 17th-19th centuries; National Library of Ireland
  • Copy of patent creating Rose French Baroness French of Castle French, 12 Mar 1798. GO MS 151: 156-159; National Library of Ireland
  • Miscellaneous [Blake] deeds, including leases involving the Ffrench of Castlefrench, 18th & 19th centuries. D 16,899-16,932; National Library of Ireland
  • Castle ffrench. Photographs & Press Cuttings. 022/022.; Irish Architectural Archive
  • Ffrench of Castlefrench Papers, map dated July 1775 & accounts 1820-1840. MS 26,800; National Library of Ireland
  • Ffrench of Castlefrench Papers, papers & deeds, c 1600-1838. MS 26,797(1-6); National Library of Ireland
  • Ffrench of Castlefrench Papers, correspondence of 1st Lord Ffrench re estate matters, c 1810-1825. MS 26,798(1-10); National Library of Ireland
  • Ffrench of Castlefrench Papers, papers re law cases & bankruptcy of family, 1816-1840. MS 26,801; National Library of Ireland
  • Ffrench of Castlefrench Papers, wills & other family & miscellaneous papers, 1761-1929. MS 26,802-26,803; National Library of Ireland
  • Lease of Rossleague, Tureene and Sheeans, Co Galway, William Darcy of Gorteen, Co Mayo to Sir Thomas ffrench Bart of Castlefrench for 3 lives (his 3 sons) & 61 years, 31 Oct 1800. D.16,899-D.16,932; National Library of Ireland

Contemporary printed sources

Modern printed sources