A brief history of

THE BALFE FAMILY of COUNTY ROSCOMMON

by Mary & Gordon Elmer

 Copyright: Mary Elmer 2012. All rights reserved.

THE BALFE FAMILY of COUNTY ROSCOMMON Originally of Anglo-Norman stock, the Balfes were prominent in the Athboy area of Co. Meath in the
15C. The first recorded presence of the family in Co. Roscommon is that of Walter Balfe at Heathfield, Castleplunkett in the late 18C when he married Jane French, the daughter of Nicholas French of Frenchlawn, Ballintubber. They had ten sons and two daughters, many of whom through marriage, land purchase and lease became substantial property owners in County Roscommon during the 19C. The purpose of this history is to explore the family of my paternal grandmother, Kate Mary Balfe who was born on 14 August 1870 at Gardenstown, Cloontusket in Co Roscommon. Her father, James Joseph Balfe was the third son of Michael Balfe and Alicia Smith, died on 21 July 1872. My greatgrandfather served as Secretary of the Roscommon Grand Jury from 1864 until his death. Prior to that, he was the Cess Collector for the Castlerea Barony. He also acted as land agent for his brothers estate at Gardenstown, Cloontuskert. Following his marriage to Arabella Hawkes of Brierfield, Ballinaheglish, they resided in Curreen, Lanesboro until about 1871 when he moved to Acres House, located off the Athlone Road about one mile from Roscommon Town, and where he died a year later. He was only 49. Close by was the family seat at Southpark House which was built in c1773 by General James Gisborne but acquired by the Balfe family in about 1805. Southpark House, two miles east of Castlerea was built on the Malone Estate. Arabella Balfe and her seven children sailed to Sydney NSW in October 1885 on SS Aberdeen. The family resided at Glencoe Mansfield Street Glebe in Sydney and Arabella Balfe died in 1897 in Petersham in NSW Australia. Grandmothers siblings were: Michael James born 1 April 1867 Gardenstown, Cloontusket James born 9 December 1868 Gardenstown, Cloontusket Caroline*** Alice Mary*** Geraldtina born 15 October 1865 Gardenstown, Cloontusket GRANDMOTHER (Katie Mary) born 14 August 1870 Gardenstown, Cloontusket Arabella Kate born 27 November 1871 Acres House, Roscommon Town. ***Irish records only began in about 1864 and it is probable that Caroline + Alice were born before records started. I have also been unable to find the date of the marriage of James Joseph Balfe and Arabella Hawkes. After his death James Joseph Balfe was taken to the family vault in Southpark demesne (the family vault) for internment.
The burial vault at Southpark

Obituaries of James Joseph Balfe from local Roscommon newspapers at the time of his death: Roscommon Journal, Saturday July 27, 1872 We regret to inform our readers that the indisposition of the above-named gentlemen, briefly referred to in our last issue, terminated fatally on Sunday night, at his residence at Acres House, near this town and sincere sympathy is universally felt for his bereaved widow and her youthful family. Mr Balfe filled the office of Secretary to the Grand Jury and indeed it may be safely said of him, either in connection with his official or private character, that he never lost a friend or made an enemy, while the tenants on his brothers property, over whom he acted as agent, speak in the most grateful terms of his kind and charitable disposition. A large number of cars and carriages with people on horseback and on foot accompanied the remains to the family burial place at Southpark. Several of the principals of the county will be placed in mourning by the demise of Mr Balfe. It is almost needless to add that there are already several candidates in the field for the vacancy, amongst whom perhaps we may mention by name, Mr. Michael Balfe, nephew to the deceased gentleman, and who proposes to hold the office, should he obtain it, in trust for the widow and seven orphan children of the late lamented incumbent. Roscommon Messenger 27 July 1872 It is with regret that we announce the demise of James J Balfe, Esq., Secretary to the Grand Jury of this county, which said event took place at his residence at Acres on Sunday night last. The deceased gentleman was a member of one of the leading families of this county, and his premature death has cast a gloom over a large circle of relatives and friends. The greatest sympathy is felt for his afflicted widow and her young family. The funeral took place on Wednesday last, and the cortge which accompanied the remains to their last resting place, in the family vault in Southpark demesne, was exceedingly large and respectable. May his soul rest in peace. James Joseph Balfes father, Michael Balfe, married twice, (1) Sally Dolphin who bore him a daughter, Maria Balfe and (2) Alicia Smith in 1819 who produced seven children. James Joseph Balfes siblings were: Michael died 1839 Nicholas died 1856 Captain Patrick Joseph Balfe born 1816 and died 1886* JAMES JOSEPH BALFE (great-grandfather) died 21 July 1872 at Acres Roscommon. Anne died 1850 Sarah Kate Mary *Captain Patrick Joseph Balfe was born in September 1819. He married Anna Mary MacDermott, daughter of William MacDermott and Anna Bodkin, on 5 November 1847. She died on 5 September 1884. He died in December 1886 at age 70. Captain Patrick Joseph Balfe gained the rank of Captain in the service of the 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers. He held the office of High Sheriff in 1858. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.). He lived at Southpark, County Roscommon, Ireland. Their children were: Annie Mary Balfe died 7 March 1894 Katie Mary Balfe died 10 August 1884 Alice Mary Maud Balfe Mary Josephine Ignatius Balfe Major Michael Joseph Balfe born 10 June 1850 and died 16 June 1928** Nicholas Dominick Joseph Balfe born 5 August 1854 Patrick Joseph Balfe born 1 June 1857 **Major Michael Joseph Balfe gained the rank of Captain and honorary Major in the service of the 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers. He held the office of High Sheriff in 1875, and again in 1890. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.). He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) He lived at Southpark, County Roscommon, Ireland.

Major Michael Joseph Balfe married Kathleen OConnell (granddaughter of Daniel OConnell the Liberator) on 29 July 1885. The latter was apparently a frequent visitor to the estate. Her sister, Alice OConnell, a painter artist stayed there regularly. Unfortunately all her works were burned in the fire in 1921. In the 1911 Census Alice OConnell appears as head of the household and no mention is made of the Major or his family. After their marriage the family lived at Southpark and their children were: Kathleen Mary died on 14 December 1935 Alice Elizabeth Mary Angela Balfe born 2 October 1886 and died 1 January 1938 Michael Edward Joseph Balfe born 13 October 1887 and who died on 30 May 1919. He is buried with his grandparents Captain Patrick Joseph Balfe and Anna Mary Balfe in Castlerea cemetery (see photo below) Maurice OConnell Francis Balfe born 2 December 1888 James Morgan Balfe born 8 October 1889
Headstone of Grave in Castlerea Cemetery with inscription badly eroded:

Pray for the Soul of Captain Patrick Balfe JP of Southpark died 9 December 1886 aged 70 years And of his wife Anna Balfe who died 5 September 1884 aged 53 years And of their grandson Edward Michael Balfe of Frenchlawn Who died on 30 May 1919 aged 31 years Major M.J. Balfe lived in Southpark House from 1887-1911. He was said to be a good Landlord, a staunch Catholic, and much respected in the area. Southpark House was a house of entertainment. Mass was celebrated weekly in 'The Big House'. His staff numbered 70 permanent and 70 casual workers. The workers had freedom and were paid in kind with the grass of a cow, donkey or horse. Apparently the first Tennis Court was also at Southpark. On the lands of this Demesne at Rathra are two well preserved Ring Forts going back (some say) to the Bronze Age. Major Balfe was an expert horseman and had a commission to buy horses for the British Army. Races were held twice a year on the estate. The 1879 Grand National was won by "The Liberator" ridden by Garry Moore (horse's owner) with Mr. J Moore as the horse's trainer and Major Balfe was involved with this particular horse. The Major was master of the famous 'Roscommon Staghounds for almost quarter of a century and for a time master of the 'Mid-Roscommon Harriers'. There were 2 packs (52 dogs) of hounds kept on the estate, harriers for hunting foxes and hares and staghounds for hunting deer. The hunting season started in early October and continued until April, with hunts being held twice a week. A joint hunt was held on St. Stephen's Day with a party that night for the gentry. Next day the workers had a party at which the Balfe family attended. Major Balfe was not a very good business man. He trusted everybody. When the number of horses declined during World War 1 his financial situation deteriorated. The land was sold little by little until eventually he had to sell Southpark altogether. Southpark House was burnt by the IRA in 1921 as because of the Majors connections with the British Army (he had provided them with horses in the Boer War) they thought the Black + Tans might requisition the house which turned out not to the case in any event. It is said that the house had not been lived in for about 3 years before its destruction but I have been unable to find out more. It seems that the Major was a smallish man who wore a cap and had a bushy moustache.

FACTS ABOUT SOUTHPARK DEMESNE

The Big House as it was called had 365 windows and 34 rooms. It had a two acre orchard which
boasted 32 different types of apples, It grew pears, cherries and under glass gooseberries, raspberries. It had four people to tend it. There were three women employed to look after the fowl on the Estate. Two sheep were slaughtered each week to feed the workers on the estate and it was said that if an estate worker died and there were insufficient funds the Major would provide a cart and pay for the person to be buried. Major Balfe died in 1928 and is buried with his wife in Dublin.

The walls of the Orchard

Inside the Old Orchard

The Gate of the Old Orchard formerly one of the Gates to the entrance of Southpark House

Foundations of Southpark House in 2009

Looking from the foundations across to the walls of the Orchard

THE GHOST LEGEND at SOUTHPARK

Southpark House boasted a coach pulled by 2 horses and carriages.

There was a coachman and a reserve coachman employed. On the night following St Stephens Night in 1899, Richard McIntyre, the coachman, was brought from his bed to bring a party of four people 2 ladies and 2 gentlemen, to Castlerea Church - about 4 miles - there was no public lighting but the moon was young and about to set. Richard tackled the four horses and carriage. Two lamps in front of the carriage lit their way. There was no conversation between the driver and the passengers. The driver was only allowed to reply to questions asked as Richard let his passengers off at the church and they went in. After a time they returned and the carriage headed home. The horses were pouring sweat and frothing at the month. They struggled all the way back to Southpark. It took Richard many hours to settle the horses. Next day Richard met Biddy Warren who used to look after the pigs and poultry on the estate. She told him that there were queer things happening here. General James Gisborne, who died in England on 4 March 1778, a previous owner of the estate was said to have ordered the burial of a massive amount of gold sovereigns in two barrels one on either side of the entrance pillars. The two men who buried the gold were beheaded. Shortly afterwards two young women arrived at the gates and they too were beheaded. These were the four people who went to the church that night. They were the last ghosts at Southpark.

Gates to Southpark (where the gold was supposedly buried) (2009)

BALFE

FAMILY

HISTORY

The Balfe family were settled at Heathfield in county Roscommon in the 18th century but had moved
to Southpark by the 19th century. Walter Balfe and his wife Jane French of Frenchlawn had 10 sons, some of whom owned property in county Roscommon in the 19th century. In 1828 Michael Balfe of Southpark was a member of the Grand Panel of county Roscommon. James Balfe of Southpark, county Roscommon, was advertising for sale 236 acres of Kinlough, parish of Shrule, county Mayo, in February 1850. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Thomas Balfe held the townland of Rooaunalaghta in the same parish and Nicholas Balfe held a number of townlands in the parishes of Kilglass, barony of Ballintober North and Cloontuskert, barony of Ballintober South, county Roscommon. The representatives of James Balfe also had land in the parish of Ogulla, barony of Roscommon. In the 1870s Nicholas J. Balfe of Dublin owned 110 acres in county Galway, 47 acres in county Roscommon, 433 acres in county Sligo and 412 acres in county Westmeath. Patrick Balfe of Southpark owned over 6000 acres in county Roscommon in the 1870s. Some of his lands in the barony of Castlereagh were offered for sale in the Landed Estates' Court in June 1858, November 1874 and again in February 1875. Some of these lands were held on leases from the Lyster and Murphy families. Over 900 acres of Patrick Balfe's estate in the barony of Frenchpark was offered for sale in the Landed Estates' Court in November 1860. James Balfe of Runnemead, tenth son of Walter Balfe of Heathfield, county Roscommon, died leaving 4 daughters and co heiresses. His daughters married into the Chichester, Berington and De Morelle families. The Chichester's eldest son, Walter George Raleigh Chichester, succeeded to the Irish estates of his mother and also to the Burton Constable estate, Yorkshire and in 1894 he took the name Constable by royal license. 375 acres of the estate of Michael Joseph Balfe in county Galway were vested in the Congested Districts' Board on 26 Apr 1905 and a further 740 acres in county Roscommon on 4 Feb 1909. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Bernard Balfe held land in the parish of Cloonfinlough, barony of Roscommon. The estate of John Balfe in the parishes of Cloonfinlough, barony of Roscommon and Creeve, barony of Frenchpark, was advertised for sale in May 1851. The senior branch of the Balfe family of Southpark afterwards moved to Balinluska House, Myrtleville, county Cork. At the time of Griffith's Valuation Patrick Balfe owned an estate in the parishes of Aglishcormish, Dromkeen and Grean, barony of Clanwilliam, county Limerick. The interest of his niece Ellen McDermott in these lands was advertised for sale in June 1862. Captain Walter Balfe of Southpark, Castlerea, owned 1,042 acres in county Limerick in the 1870s.

Quotations regarding the Balfe Family from Irish Sport & Sportsmen by B. M. Fitzpatrick (1878)
The late Mr. James Balfe had, long ago, a pack of hounds, but the want of foxes compelled him to dispose of them. In 1873, a pack of staghounds was formed, by Captain M. J. Balfe of South-Park, and he has hunted them himself ever since in a manner which does him infinite credit. Captain Balfe laboured sedulously and successfully to gain the end he has so fully attained, and has now the pleasure of having in his kennel thirty-and-a-half couple of working hounds, including a very promising entry. They average twenty-five inches, and are remarkable for their pace, symmetry, uniformity in size and colour, steadiness, and endurance. With a subscription of 700 a year, the master of the Roscommon Staghounds has certainly achieved more than his most sanguine admirers could have expected, although much was, no doubt, expected from him, as he is descended from a family remarkable for their love of racing and hunting. His father and uncle were both staunch supporters of the Irish turf some years ago. Captain Balfe is a first-rate judge of horses, and always keeps fourteen or fifteen hunters of the right stamp. When forming the pack, Captain Balfe got all his hounds from England, and several from Her Majesty's and the Craven kennels.

And finally, Southpark House itself the only photos I have been able to find before it was burned to the ground by the IRA in 1921 the sad ending to an interesting family history the family has now scattered to Australia, South Africa and America and although some Balfes still live in Roscommon I did not meet up with them.

Southpark House (rear), Castlerea Co Roscommon

Southpark House (front)

Heathfield House Co Roscommon (original home of the Balfe Family)

Anna Balfes Seat at Southpark with her name + the date 18 August 1881 engraved in the centre upright stone

SOUTHPARK HOUSE HISTORY

1773 1778 1805 1814 1838 1839 1839 1856 1856 1886 1886 1904 1911 1919 1921 1928 General James Gisborne builds Southpark House. General James Gisborne dies in England. Southpark is acquired by the Balfe Family Southpark is the seat of Michael Balfe, son of Walter Balfe. Michael Balfe dies at Southpark. Michael Balfe first son of Michael Balfe takes over at Southpark and dies that year. Nicholas Balfe second son of Michael Balfe takes over at Southpark. Nicholas Balfe dies at Southpark. Captain Patrick Balfe third son of Michael Balfe takes over Southpark. Captain Patrick Balfe dies at Southpark. Major Michael Joseph Balfe son of Captain Patrick Balfe takes over Southpark. Major Balfe advertises 3000 acres of the Southpark Estate for Sale. In the 1911 Census Alice OConnell the sister of the Majors wife appears as head of the household and no mention is made of the Major or his family. Michael Edward Joseph Balfe, son of Major Balfe dies at Frenchlawn. The IRA burn Southpark House to the ground property of Alice OConnell contained there is destroyed. Major Balfe dies aged 78 in June at Auburn, Ulverton Road, Dalkey Dublin and is buried with his wife in Dublin.

The Balfe Family in Australia from 1885 After her arrival in Sydney in or about October 1885 aboard SS Aberdeen with her seven children,
great grandmother, Arabella Balfe, moved into Glencoe in Mansfield Street Glebe, a Sydney suburb where she lived till her death in l897.
Glencoe 20 Mansfield Street, Glebe

1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Geraldtina Hahn died in Sydney in 1961 (aged 96), and Arabella Kate (Mirabel) died in Sydney in 1947.

Katie Mary died in Sydney in 1929 (aged 59) - (she was known as Catherine by this time), Michael James Joseph Balfe died in 1938 in Sydney, James Balfe died [apparently in New Zealand in a hotel fire]? Caroline Balfe died in Sydney in 1922, Alice (Mary) Balfe died in Sydney 1937,

I know only a little about her siblings, but my grandmother, Katie Mary Balfe married Daniel James Malone, an engineer and Member of Parliament in Sydney in 1904 and they lived at Glencoe for some time after their marriage. Their children were; 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mary Kathleen (Mickey) (born 1905 and died 1941), Kevin Daniel (born 1907 and died in 1973), Caroline (born 1909 and died 1916 from burns sustained when playing with a lighted candle in bed), Geraldine Mary (born 1910 and died in the 1970s), John Hawkes Malone (born 1912 and died 1947); and Thomas Balfe Malone.

The children all appear to have been born at Glencoe. The boys were all educated at St Josephs College Hunters Hill in Sydney and the girls at Domremy Convent in Sydney. My father was John Hawkes Malone. On a couple of occasions when I was about 16 or 17 in Sydney, I met a woman a lot older than me who was apparently my second cousin. She was the daughter of Geraldtina Balfe who in 1898 married Francis Hahn (who died 1921). This second cousin was called Alma Hahn and was unmarried and lived in Randwick, a suburb of Sydney. Mary Kathleen Malone married Robert Nihill in 1932 and had three children, Caroline (born 1937), Michael (born 1939) and John (born 1941). My cousins have all married and have families. Mar Kathleen died in 1941 and Robert Nihill married her cousin, Arabella Mary Dorothy Dempsey in 1945. Kevin Malone married Alma Perry in 1942 and had three daughters, Maureen, Janet and Alma Kay. Geraldine Mary Malone did not marry. My father, John Hawkes Malone trained as an architect but didnt like being cooped up in an office and applied to join the NSW Police Force. He was initially rejected because of a broken nose sustained whilst he was playing rugby. He was an international Rugby player and represented NSW and Australia and came to England with the Wallabies in 1939. Unfortunately the Second World War started just after their arrival and the team came home without playing a game, although it is said they

did help in filling sandbags while they were in the UK. As he was in the Police Force he was not called up till late in the war when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force.
36 Liverpool Street Paddington where my mother, Vera Millicent Donald, grew up

In April 1942 he married my mother, Vera Millicent Donald (daughter of Robert Donald and Mary McEnery) at St Marys Cathedral in Sydney. My parents lived in a flat overlooking Tamarama Beach from the time of their marriage. In November 1945 I, Mary Veronica Elmer (nee Malone) was born and in March 1947 my brother, Robert John Malone was born. On 1 May 1947 my father was killed while was on escort duty with the Police when the tyre on his motor cycle blew out and he was thrown onto the road where he was involved in a collision with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. He sustained a fractured skull and died a short time afterwards. He was aged only 35. I was then 16 months old and my brother 5 weeks. My mother never remarried and died in Sydney in September 1989 aged 76 years.
70 Canberra Street Randwick where I lived with my mother + brother, Robert from January 1960 till I left for England in January 1969 we lived in Tamarama until 1960

Thomas Balfe Malone married in 1941 Patricia Mary OBrien and they had two children, Daniel and Kathleen. I am still in regular contact with Caroline Nihill (now Caroline Simmonds) but have lost touch with all my other cousins. In 1969 I came to the UK on what was to be a year long visit. I am still here and married my husband, Gordon Elmer in London on 13 December 1974. We have no children and make frequent trips back to Australia to see family and friends. My brother, Robert Malone, married Elizabeth Brennan in Australia in 1972 and has four children, Damien Malone, Clair McKee, Simon Malone and Brendan Malone, all of whom live in NSW, Australia. Elizabeth died in 1985 aged 38 from cancer. My brother has remarried. Clair married Matthew McKee in November 2003 and they have a daughter, Isabella born in 9 May 2004 and a son, Owen Hawkes born at the end of 2011. Brendan married Louise Goding in November 2010 and they have two daughters, Juliette Patricia born 28 April 2009 and Mara Elizabeth born September 2011. Damien Malone and Simon Malone are at present (2012) unmarried.

NOTES

NOTES

Compiled and edited by Mary & Gordon Elmer. First Published edition September 2012.

Published by Liam Byrne 09/2012.