Serie 328-382 - Agents' copy-out letters

Toler Roberts 'Rob' Garvey was the third generation of Garvey land agents. He took over the land agency business, with its headquarters at his residence at Tullynisk Park, Birr, in 1914 on the death of his father, Toler Roberts Garvey Sr. He looked after the estate at Birr Castle and other estates of gentry in south Offaly and north Tipperary during the revolutionary period 1916-23 and beyond. As a result he managed the estates through turbulent times, notably the requisitioning of Birr Castle by the Free State Army during the Irish Civil War (1922-23). He died at the age of 80 on 1 April 1946 and is buried at Clonoghill cemetery, Birr.

Toler Roberts Garvey was born at Thornvale, Moneygall, County Offaly, son of George Garvey, land agent and his wife, Jane. He took over his father's land agency business on his death in 1879. He managed many estates, the largest of which was the Rosse estate at Birr. Due to the size of this estate he maintained another residence on the Rosse estate called Tullynisk, and this became the headquarters of his land agency which extended across Offaly and into Tipperary. Garvey was a magistrate and served on the North Tipperary and King's County Grand Juries from 1871. In 1881 he became High Sherriff of the county and was foreman at the spring assizes. He served on most of the King's County boards, such as the Poor Law Commissioners, Parsonstown Town Commission, and the Lunatic Asylum.

He married Amelia, daughter of Samuel Cox of Henley Grove, Gloucestershire and had six children. His eldest son, George, qualified as an electrical engineer and worked in England. His second eldest son, also called Toler Roberts Garvey, worked with him in the land agency and took it over on his death at the age of 80 on 30 November 1914. He is buried in Borrisnafarney church near Moneygall, County Offaly.