Blake (Ardfry)
By patent dated 24 Feb 1681 the Blakes were granted almost 12,000 acres in counties Galway and Mayo, mainly in the baronies of Athenry, Dunkellin and in the barony of Kilmaine and 900 acres in county Meath. They later gained possession of lands at Wallscourt, in the barony of Leitrim, which had previously belonged to the Wall family. Lord Wallscourt held over 2800 acres in county Galway in the 1870s. In 1906 Lord Wallscourt held over 140 acres of untenanted demesne as well as the house at Ardfry.
Associated Families
Houses
| Name | Townland | Civil Parish | PLU | DED | Barony | County | Map Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardfry | Ardfry | Ballynacourty | Galway | Ballynacourty 53 | Dunkellin | Galway |
OSI Ref: M348211
OS Sheet: 94 Discovery map: 46 |
|
| Prospect Hill | Prospect Hill | Ballynacourty | Galway | Ballynacourty 53 | Dunkellin | Galway |
OSI Ref: M352208
OS Sheet: 94 Discovery map: 46 |
|
| Seafield | Seafield | Ballynacourty | Galway | Ballynacourty 53 | Dunkellin | Galway |
OSI Ref: M374214
OS Sheet: 95 Discovery map: 46 |
|
| Furzepark House | Treanlaur | Ballynacourty | Galway | Ballynacourty 53 | Dunkellin | Galway |
OSI Ref: M362218
OS Sheet: 95 Discovery map: 46 |
|
| Wallscourt | Wallscourt | Kilreekil | Loughrea | Kilreekil 124 | Leitrim | Galway |
OSI Ref: M688204
OS Sheet: 98 Discovery map: 46 |
|
| Newgrove House | Newgrove | Kilreekill | Loughrea | Kilreekill 124 | Leitrim | Galway |
OSI Ref: M692227
OS Sheet: 98 Discovery map: |
Archival sources
- Papers relating to property at Ardfry & lawsuit with Lady Wallscourt, 1820-65. D. 20,327-31, M.3354-64. ; National Archives of Ireland
- Report on estate of Lord Wallscourt, 1865. M.3364. ; National Archives of Ireland
- Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), W.V.F. Hickman estate at Wallscourt, 12 Feb 1852, Vol 13, 39/006(microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
- Ardfry. Photographs. 022/002.; Irish Architectural Archive
- Large collection of solicitors' records including documents re the Blake family of Wallscourt, 18th-19th centuries. E.J.French solicitor's collection, Small Accessions Index 8; National Archives of Ireland
Contemporary printed sources
- LEWIS, Samuel. ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland''. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: Vol II, 451.
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Galway Union, 167 (Ardfry), 172 (Prospect Hill), 173 (Seafort).
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland''. HC 1876, LXXX: 399
- LEET, Ambrose. ''A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland''. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 349 [Seafield].
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland,'' 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix I, Grants under Acts of Settlement: 270-271
- 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] : 464.
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion...'', HC 1906, c, 177: 313
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of names of proprietors and area and valuation of properties in counties in Ireland, held in fee or perpetuity or long leases at chief rents,'' 1876. (412) LXXX. 395: 149.
- ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOKS, County Galway, http://places.galwaylibrary.ie/default.html: Ballynacourty Parish
- SLATER, Isaac. ''Royal National Directory of Ireland: List of the principal seats''. (Manchester: 1894) : xxi, 15
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Loughrea Union, 157 (Newgrove)
- WILSON, William. ''The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland''. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 135 (Newgrove)
Modern printed sources
- SPELLISSY, Séan. ''The History of Galway''. Limerick: Celtic Bookshop, 1999. : 303.
- GLIN, Knight of, GRIFFIN, D. J. & ROBINSON, N.K (eds).'' Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland''. Dublin: Irish Architectural Archive/Irish Georgian Society, 1989. : 69.
- FORDE, J., CASSIDY, C., MANZOR,. P & RYAN, D (eds).'' The district of Loughrea, Vol.I: Local history, 1791-1918''. Loughrea: Loughrea History Project, 2003. : MELVIN, Patrick. Estates and gentry around Loughrea. 45.
- BLAKE, Martin J. ''Blake Family Records'' 1300-1600 1st Series, 1600-1700 2nd Series. London: Elliot Stock, 1902: II, Appendix E, 284
- ''Jnl. of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society'': CUNNINGHAM, John. Lord Wallscourt of Ardfry (1797-1849). LVII (2005), 90-112
- MARSDEN, Simon & McLAREN, Duncan. . ''In ruins: the once great houses of Ireland''. Boston: Little Brown & Co, 1997. : 46-47.
- BENCE-JONES, Mark. ''A Guide to Irish Country Houses''. Revised ed. London: Constable, 1988. : 9
- ''The Irish Genealogist'': CHAMNEY, Anne R. Extracts from Father Clare’s Annotations to the Conformity Rolls, include reference to this family. X (2001), 427-454