Typescript diary entry of William Bury Homan Mulock, reflecting on the surroundings of the Bellair Estate; his childhood on the estate; estate improvements; sale of the estate to tenants under the Land Acts; effects on Irish agriculture and corn production during the first World War.

"The Townland of Bellair or Bally-ard (High Town) stands almost in the centre of Ireland and its hill crowned with a thick grove of beech and fir is a conspicuous object from most of the Counties in Ireland...

I dearly loved and revered the old place with all the tradition it stood for, and for my first day in India I determined to save money and pull it through as my father had always impressed on me the severe strain his large family had been on the estate...

I have now held it for close on 30 years and in the natural course of things must soon relinquish it. I can however fairly claim to have done more than any predecessor for its benefit. I have sold to the tenants, under the Land Acts, and have paid of all charges. I have renovated the house and wing, rebuilt all the farm buildings, and a good part of the stabling...

I have now (1918) had close on ten years experience as an Irish Landlord without tenants, having sold under the Land Acts 1908-9. I can't say that I regret their loss. I live more like an English squire, without anxiety or fear of malicious injuries, cattle drives, or burnings, and I have more leisure to look after my Bellair farm which is now paying me well for all my improvements".

Original incoming and copy outgoing letters relating to Ernest H Browne's management of the Bellair Estate. Matters referred to include the outstanding arrears of rent by W Cooper Clibborn, negotiations of sale between Clibborn and Mulock and decision against disposal of lands. Includes two ordnance survey maps of town of Moate and Killeenboylegan, as well as schedule of tenants on these plots in 1838.

Survey and valuation of the Digby estate completed by Michael Cuddehy, land surveyor, for Lord Digby, on 3 January 1798 and a further valuation on 25 June 1799 listing lands in the barony of Geashill that are out of lease. Townlands surveyed in the initial valuation are listed in Cuddehy's accompanying note as Annaharvey, Ballymooney, Ballyknockan, Ballycue and Ballyduff, although only those of Ballycue and Ballyduff are extant. The valuation is tabular, listing tenants' names, a description of their holdings (e.g. 'moory pasture', 'oat field', 'big fallow field' etc.), a measurement in A.R.P (acres, roods, perches) and a yearly value.

The second list entitled 'Lands in the Barony of Geashill out of lease except the parts disposed of as herein 25 June 1799' contain a list of the townlands Annaharvey, Ballymooney, Ballycue, Bluebell, Ballyduff , Dalgan, Ballydownan, Curragh, Killellery, Ballyavill, Cappincur, Kinockballyboy, Ballinagar, Killleigh, Scrub, Killeenmore, and Killurin. Each description is accompanied by a reference number for a map by Cuddehy which is not extant. There are also comments by Cuddehy on certain plots such as 'Darby Smollen declared tenant' in respect of a plot in Ballydownan and he notes that Cuddehy himself is proposed for a plot in Ballymooney of 149 acres.

Copy of conditions of sale, descriptive particulars and sale catalogue for lots of the Rahan Estate, in the barony of Ballycowan, King's County.
The estate is described as "5203 acres, 3 roods, 36 1/2 perches statute measure, and produces a well-paid net annual rental of £1990 6s 4 1/4 d ... The lands are almost entirely in tillage, and although the tenantry are numbers, they are very peaceable, industrious and thriving".
Contains general summary of tenant names, acreage, rent, tithe charges and terms of tenure. Also contains copies of Ordnance Survey 6" maps.

Copy rental and particulars of the mansion house, demesne and lands of Emo Park, with the adjacent townlands situated in Portarlington, Queen's County. To be sold in the Court of the Commissioners for the sale of Incumbered Estates in Ireland in the matter of the estate of the Right Honorable the Earl of Portarlington, and the Right Honorable George Lionel Dawson Damer. Lands to be sold on 19 and 20 February 1852.
Contains general summary of tenant names, acreage, rent, tithe charges and terms of tenure. Also contains copies of Ordnance Survey 6" maps.

Linen-backed map of Clara and Raheen, King's County, the estate of Colonel Wolseley Cox. Hand-coloured and numbered with sites from 1-99, although the key to the sites is not extant.

Scale 220 foot: 1 inch.

Copies of approximately 1000 letters, averaging 1 per page. Some letters illegible due to fading. Contains many letters relating to ongoing sale of the Purdon Estate, Philipstown (Daingean) as well as letters relating to the Geashill Cattle Drive.
Includes letter to R. F. Barry, Esq., Crown Solicitor re The King v Adams and 45 others Geashill Case: 'I give you on annexed page particulars of the rail fare paid by the 45 defendants to take them to Kingsbridge for their trial in December last. There were 46 charged, but one, Thomas Hynes, was a prisoner and was conveyed up by the Authorities. Two witnesses were also brought up, namely, Father MacDonald and Dr. Barry of Philipstown, and both were examined. I also include their single fares. The accused and the witnesses had, of course, to be conveyed to Green Street, and I put £1 down for this though it would not probably nearly cover it as several of them took cars from the station. There can be no controversy however about the railway fares. I also give the figure of the return fares in case these are allowed. The parties had to come back, and as a matter of fact, were kept in Dublin two days; but I do not think these expenses are payable. I trust you will be able to kindly have whatever they are legally entitled to paid to them through me.' (29 March 1915)

Copies of approximately 1000 letters, averaging 1 per page. Good legibility.
Includes letter to Rev. J. Bergin, Philipstown re Purdon Estate sale: 'You will remember this transfer. I enclose the deed, as perhaps you would like to have it. The reason I write to you about it now is that I was squaring up matters generally with Mr. Crozier, and this case was mentioned., and he states the nominal purchase money of £1 was not sent on. If you will kindly let me have this sum, I shall forward it to Mr Crozier - or perhaps you would prefer to send him a cheque direct for £1. I was very sorry to hear about the burning of the school, as it must have been a worrying matter to you.' (15 January 1916)

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill Estate. Matters referred to include sale of timber; fishery rates; repairs to tenants' premises; tree seeds required for the estate; acquisition of cottage site by agreement under Labourers Acts; litigation between Lord Digby and Andrew Brazil over cattle wandering in Digby's plantation at Clonad and destroying 1500 young trees.

Includes letter to Kennedy from Digby on the death of King George IV, " Alas the sad news of yesterday has made it impossible for me to come over next week as I shall be on duty twice every 24 hours at the lying-in-state. We don't yet know when the funeral will be, but it will probably be Friday 15th..." (7 February 1952).