Leitrim-Roscommon

I'm back with another query about the history of the Boyle area. A recent estate agent's listing offered Camlin House, near Ballinameen, for sale. Does anyone out there know what family owned that property around the middle of the 19th century? I'm hoping to locate some old estate records if I can identify the owner, in the hopes that my gggGrandfather John McWilliam was employed on the property. His Grandson, Arthur McWilliam, late of Lisdaly, recorded his Grandparents' residence as being at Camlin near Treanamarly Lough. A book on the family history written by a descendant of Arthur's cousin in Australia indicates that John was employed as an estate manager while he was in Co. Roscommon.

Any information/direction would be much appreciated. I'm trying to sort through some leads, however tentative they may be, in advance of a return to Ireland next spring.

Hi,

I have looked at Camlin House in the estate agent's listing you referred to in your message. What a lovely old house it must have once been.

I hope the following might be of some help to you -

Camlin is a Townland in Co. Roscommon in the Barony of Boyle, Poor Law Union of Boyle and Parish of Estersnow (Estersnow is the historical name for the Catholic Parish of Ballinameen).

The Irwin family were known as the Irwins of Camlin and in the Griffiths Valuation for Leitrim-Roscommon the Irwins are the Lessors leasing land to various persons in the Townland of Camlin.

Lewis' Topographical Dictionary shows two of the seats in the Parish of Estersnow were Camlin of J. Irwin and Granny of T. Irwin. It is possible Camlin House was owned by J. Irwin.

Although, I have not researched the Irwins to any extent, Mary Irwin, a descendant of John Irwin of Camlin, married Thomas Devenish (the Devenish are my ancestors).

It might be worth it if you have a look at the Irwin Estate Papers.

The best of luck,

Maureen O'Donnell, Sydney, Australia

Thanks for the info, Maureen. I'm still hoping there is someone out there who knows if the Irwin estate papers still exist anywhere.

I was in Sydney just over a year ago to meet some of my McWilliam relatives. Love the city, but the people are its best attribute. Everyone I know who has been there raves about the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. As far as natural beauty goes, in my opinion you cannot beat the Royal Botanical Gardens. The people of Sydney are incredibly warm, generous and helpful. Maybe they just pity an obvious tourist who is clearly lost!

Again, thanks Maureen