Doneraile (Cork)

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Doneraile Court, Co. Cork
Doneraile Court, Co. Cork

Located in North County Cork, Doneraile Court is an impressive country house and 400 acre demense. The house which stands today was built around 1730, using materials from an earlier house which dated back to the 1640's. There are also traces of an earlier castle. The house was expanded repeatedly throughout the 19th century. Today it comprises 3 storeys over a half basement. The 1837 Topgraphical Dictionary of Ireland has the following to say about Doneraile Court,

"The mansion is a handsome and substantial building, to which has been added, within the last few years, a large conservatory stored with the choicest plants: it is situated on an eminence gently sloping to the winding vale of the Awbeg"

The house is associated with the St Leger family, a Norman family with Munster connections dating back to the mid 16th century. The family are also connected with the Buttevant Estate, also in Co. Cork. The Doneraile lands came into the posession of the St Leger family in 1593. 

Writers throughout history have commented on the beauty of the house and grounds. In 1750 Dr Smith described Doneraile as "one of the most pleasant and beautiful villages in this kingdom". The house and surrounding demense are currently in the care of the Office of Public Works and the park is open as an amenity park. 

On Saturday June 22nd 2019, the refurbished first floor of the house was opened to the public after being closed for 50 years. 

Do you have a story to share about Doneraile Court? Did you ancestors work or live here? Please help us to complete the human story of this magnificent house. 

References

Buildings Database Ireland VIEW SOURCE
Academic Database of Landed Estates Ireland VIEW SOURCE
History of Doneraile Ireland VIEW SOURCE
Doneraile Court and the St Legers Ireland VIEW SOURCE

Comments

  • My GGGGrandparents Corneliuos Lenihan and Catherine Culhane were from Bettevant/Donraille Ireland. They left Ireland with the entire famiy and landed in NY in 1865.  Their daughter Annie Lenihan, born (1847)  in Buttevant married my GGGrandfather John Cronin. John was born in (1847 - 1849) to JAmes Cronin and Ellen? , not sure where he and his family are from in Ireland. . Here is the info on Lenihan I would love to find info on Cronin family if they are from the same area. 

    Lenihan’s – Buried - Calvery Cemetery Queens NY

     

    Lenihan          Cornelius Cronin       Father of Annie Lenihan Cronin  Born 1819 ?

    Lived in Doneraile, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration July 1865       Farmer- Died before 1870

    Buried - Calvary Cemetery Queens NY

     

    Lenihan Culhane Catherine  Mother of Annie Lenihan Cronin Born 1824/1825 ? Also Colhane

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne

    Died July 1888

    Buried - Calvary Cemetery Queens NY

     

    Lenihan          Hannah  Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin              Born 1855

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

     

    Lenihan          Edmond Brother of Annie Lenihan Cronin            Born 1846

    Baptized July 14 1846 Doneraile Cloyne Ireland – Sponsors Pat and Eliz Culhane

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

                                                     

    Lenihan          Catherine  Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin           Born 1850

    Baptized – Doneraile Cloyne Ireland  Jan 5 1850 Sponsors – John Lenihan and Hanora Culhane

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

     

    Lenihan          Cornelius Brother of Annie Lenihan Cronin         Born 1857

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

    Shows living at

    45 Dean St Probate info Single

    Served at 472 Pearl St NYC                                  1889 Probate

     

     

    Lenihan Gueli  Dwyer   Mary Ellen  Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin  Born 1861

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

    509 E 119th Street NYC     1889 Probate

    Gueli   Dominck           Brother in law of Annie Lenihan Cronin

    509 East 119th     NYC         1888, 1889 Probate

    when Dominick died she married John Dwyer in 1897

    Died Jan 9 1944 Bronx NY

     

     

     

    Lenihan Gardner       HonNora  Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin           Born 1863

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

    126 Hoyt St Brooklyn NY  1888,1889 Probate

    Married William Reid Gardner

     

    Lenihan McGowan    Mary F W Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin            Born 1859

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

    Marriage January 7 1885 to Patrick F McGowan

    Died July 13 1911 – died of Heat stroke

     

    109 E 12th St NYC                1888, 1889 Probate

    McGowan                    Patrick Brother in law of Annie Lenihan Cronin

    109 E 12th Street NYC         1889 Probate

     

    Lenihan Cronin          Annie  Wife of John Cronin Born 1847

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865

    45 Dean St Brooklyn NY   1889 Probate

    Married ? Morrissey after death of John Cronin in 1898

    Died 1902 in tenement fire in Brooklyn NY

     

    Lenihan          James  Brother of Annie Lenihan  Born 1852

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne         

     

    Lenihan          Elisha  Sister of Annie Lenihan Cronin   Born 1848

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865      

     

    Lenihan          Johanna Maria   Sister of Annie Lenihan Born 1864

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865        

    Died August 1888 Died Calvary Cemetery     1889 Probate

    Buried - Calvary Cemetery Queens NY

     

    Lenihan          Patrick            Brother of Annie Lenihan Cronin Born 1865

    Lived in Doneraile,& Buttevant, Cork, Ireland Diocese of Cloyne 

    Immigration Jul 1865        

     

      

    Pegcrohan

    Friday 5th July 2019 10:17PM
  • Wow Peg, that's fantastic to have so much information. Have you put these into chronicles on this platform so that we can link them up with the house? If not then I could help you do it. Do you have any pictures to go with the family members?

    Valerie 

    Chronicles Editor

    Monday 8th July 2019 07:26AM
  • Thank you, I would love to get any information you can help me with on the Ireland side. No I do not have any pictures. 

    Pegcrohan

    Monday 8th July 2019 09:41PM

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