The Curraghmore Estate is located just outside Portlaw in the parish of Clonagam, Co. Waterford. It was the last of four castles built by the Power, or la Poer family who arrived in Ireland in 1167. This particular branch of the la Poer's gained the title Marquess of Waterford, which they still hold to this day.
The current estate is a wonderful display of the concentric layers of history of the site. At the core of the house is a medieval castle. Stylistic architectural features of this time can also be seen externally in the entrance bay which uses materials from the castle in its design. Surrounding this medieval core is a beautiful Victorian-era mansion house of grand proportions. The final piece in the puzzle is the impeccably landscaped garden and grounds which surround the house. This aspect of the estate was designed in the Georgian era and follows the style of the time. These different phases of construction at Curraghmore have provided it with its unique appearance.
The Curraghmore Estate is currently in the posession of Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 9th Marquis of Waterford. He inherited the estate upon the death of his father in 2015. The current Marquis has opened up the grounds of his family home for events, most notably the Bluebell Festival, and the newly established 3 day music festival All Together Now which takes place over the course of the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Does your family have a connection with the Curraghmore Estate? Perhaps your ancestors lived or worked there? Please help us to complete the human story of this magnificent house by linking in and sharing your story.
Comments
I was at the Curraghmore House in 2016 as my ancestors are from the area. I would like to say they worked there but I have no clue. John Britt married Ellen Tierney in the parish of Portlaw and Ballyduff in 1834. They left for Canada in 1837 and John listed his occupation as "Farmer" in Bytown (Ottawa). There is also a Patrick Britt born approx. 1812 who joined John and Ellen in Ottawa. An Ellen Britt also lived with John and Ellen in Bytown and I have not as yet been able to prove that she was John's sister. There was also a Thomas Tieney from the same parish who married an Alic Flynn in 1831 and the Tierneys and Britts were godparents for each other's children. I have been looking for John and Ellen's parents but again, I have a few leads but no proof. I would like to hear from anyone who may have had these people in their tree.
P.S. Patrick Britt left for Canada with his wife Johanne Brennan and their daughter Ellen born in 1839 in Ireland. D. Britt
Dianne Britt
Friday 5th July 2019 12:04AM
It really is such a beautiful estate Dianne, and that's wonderful that you got the chance to visit it. Have you made profiles for your ancestors on this platform? Maybe somebody else from the parish might be able to help you fill in some of the gaps?
Chronicles Editor
Friday 5th July 2019 07:18AM
My ggg grandfather, William Kennedy, was a gardener at Curraghmore House, and emigrated with his family to Hartford, Connecticut, USA in Sept. 1880. Prior to emigrating he lived in a small house with an orchard in Mayfield/Rocketscastle, just outside of Portlaw. According to one family record in our possession, he had worked at Curraghmore for 37 years, and the passage cost for his family was paid by the then Lord Waterford. In 2013 I had the privilege of visting Curraghmore House and meeting the 8th Marquis. Unfortunately, there were no estate records available at that time.
William was descended from a Morgan Kennedy (d. 1770) who was a "middleman" and resided at Maiden Hall, Rathmaiden, Co Waterford. I located the ruins of this house on another trip in 2018. hope to return for another visit and research trip in Spring of 2020. I am anxious to meet any Kennedys now livivng in the area, and can be reached at "jdk@kennedygroup.org".
David Kennedy, Yarmouth, Maine, USA
JD Kennedy
Monday 23rd December 2019 04:59PM
Hi David,
What a great connection! Have you written up a Chronicle on IrelandXO for your ggg Grandfather? We can link him directly to the house as well as Portlaw. Let me know if you require any help getting started.
