Nenagh author launches first book

Nenagh native, Margaret O’Sullivan will be launching her first book, Lismore estate under William Robert Hood Rochfort, 1891-1902, in Counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary, in Cahir House Hotel on October 30 at 7pm.

Using the words of both the land agent, William Rochfort (1847–1940), and the tenants on the Lismore (O’Callaghan) estate in Counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary, the land agent–tenant relationship between 1891 and 1902 is explored. The techniques employed by Rochfort to investigate the personal circumstances of his tenants, his treatment of them and his ability to occasionally provide discreet assistance to those in need are all examined.

Issues of most concern to the tenants, as told in their own words, are also considered.

The book includes tenants from Roscrea, Fethard, Clonmel and Cahir in County Tipperary along with tenants from north county Cork and south county Limerick.

Viscount Lismore’s estate, the largest in County Tipperary in the nineteenth century, had its seat at the John Nash designed Shanbally Castle just outside Clogheen in south Tipperary. Unfortunately, the castle along with its extensive archive were destroyed by the OPW in 1960. Local historian, and Margaret’s grandfather, Tim Looney, Cahir, managed to rescue some documents before they were destroyed, and it is these records that form the basis for this book.

Margaret is following in the footsteps of other local authors, Miriam Lambe, Helen O’Brien and Lisa McGeeney who all have had books published in the Maynooth Local History Series by Four Courts Press.

The book is available to purchase from local bookshops including the Bookshop, Nenagh and from Four Courts Press.