Clogher House Clogher Claremorris Co Mayo

Clogher House, originally known as Clogher Lynch was built in 1770 by the Lynch family. The house, a 6 bay front, 2 bay break front with a tripartite pedimented and fan lighted door-case was set in 640 acres of land and consisted of 28 rooms incorporating a library and chapel. The rooms had ceilings of Adamesque plasterwork with the front hall featuring an amazing curved ceiling.

The Lynches were popular landlords, however the last of the Lynches, Marcella married Major Crean who came from Hollybrook outside Claremorris. Major Crean was a ruthless landlord, and hated by his tenants.

The original house was a three story building, roofed with 'Greek flags'. On the 6th January 1839,
'The Night of the Big Wind' the house was damaged in a ferocious storm and left roofless. This disaster was however welcomed as it gave reason to remodel the house - a further storey was added to the house and it was roofed with more modern slates.

Helena Mary Crean who inherited the estate from her father, married James Fitzgerald Kenny in 1870. James Fitzgerald Kenny died prematurely after only seven years of marriage, however the couple had five children. Master Harry the eldest son inherited the house and estate. Having been orphaned at an early age he grew up wild and conceited and like most of the aristocracy at the time he was fond of horses and loved hunting and racing. On one occasion when Master Harry was returning from the Ballinrobe races, he called into Higginís public house in Carnacon, where he met Captain Blake from Towerhill. After several rounds of drinks Captain Blake asked Master Harry if he would allow his eldest sister to marry him and an argument followed as Master Harry regarded himself to be of a far superior class than the Blakes. Two hours later Master Harry was found dead in suspicious circumstances. The cause of his death was never established. It was said likely due to a fall from his horse but more likely related to the incident earlier in Carnacon. He was only 23yrs of age.

Clogher House passed to James Fitzgerald Kenny, a brilliant lawyer and the most famous of the family. James Fitzgerald was elected to Dail Eireann as a Cumann na nGaedheal candidate in 1927 and then was soon appointed as Minister for Justice. James continued to live at Clogher until his death in 1956. After the his death the house and estate were sold to a timber merchant in the late 1960's.

In 1970 the house was destroyed in a fire.

The Land Commission took over the estate and it was divided locally.

The Night of the Big Wind