The Loughton papers are comprised of the records of the successive owners of Loughton, Moneygall, Co. Offaly and of other properties in the surrounding area including one in Co. Tipperary. The families documented within the fonds are the Bloomfields, the Trenches and the Atkinsons. The fonds mainly consists of documents originating from Benjamin Bloomfield Trench, his wife Dora Trench (neé Turnor) and their daughter Theodora Trench. The material dates from 1798 until the 1970s.

Letters sent to Henry Trench between 1853 and 1879.

The majority of the letters in this sub-series concern business matters. However personal issues such as Henry's concern over an unsuitable engagement are also covered.
Henry was also the most involved of the Trench family in Offaly and Tipperary communities. As a result of this local affairs are covered in some of these letters.

Research on Shinrone Church and Graveyard, Co. Offaly (Parish of Shinrone, Barony of Clonlisk). County Inventory Registration: 693.
Contains field sheet with details to level of preservation, nature of surviving structures, walls, earthworks, aerial photographs and cartographic evidence. Incl. sketches of site plan, a written report over two pages and nine photographs.

Research on Shinrone Castle Site, Co. Offaly (Parish of Shinrone, Barony of Clonlisk). County Inventory Registration: 935.
Contains a field sheet, a written report over one page and three photographs.

‘W’ and ‘’Y’ - principally Edward Walsh (town clerk of Birr, who writes about all manner of local government matters), Harold J. Wiley & Co., insurance brokers of Dublin (who write about Birr Castle insurance), Mrs F. White Spunner of Milltown Park, Shinrone, King’s County (whose estate Garvey managed [although, apart from these letters, no other record of this agency survives in the archive at Birr Castle]).

Includes minor letters from Captain P. Wall, Castle Barracks, Birr (1922-1923).

Diaries belonging to Dora Trench (née Turnor), Benjamin Bloomfield Trench and Theodora Trench.
Each writer used their respective diaries to record signifcant life events, feelings and appoinments. They offer a unique insight in to their lives.

Diaries and notebooks belonging to Dora Trench née Turnor.
Dora’s diary documents her life at Stoke Rochford Hall, Lincolnshire, and at the family’s London home at Chesham Place, Belgravia, London.
The diaries chronicle her struggles with asthma, her family tragedies, her marriage, her children and her every day life.

File of diaries belonging to Dora Turnor.

The diaries chart happy experiences with her family and friends. On 23 February 1883 Dora writes about time she spent in the south of France, 'Went to Monte Carlo. Lunched with Murrays. Drove to see palace at Monaco. Sat in garden with [Thoralds], I went to hear concert. Home at 5. Staid (sic) in salon till 10 pm. Mr J sang. Very hot & fine.' On 27 April 1885 she writes, ' Left Mentone at 2.30. Had carraige to ourselves got to Pegli at 9.30 pm pouring, pitch dark & no bus. Went to Grand Hotel. Met Capt. & Mrs Pryse (Pau) at station. Got 5 bunches of roses & 2 presents. Fine, hot.'

The diary also charts her relationship with Benjamin Bloomfield Trench and significant events such as her wedding on 25 July 1889.
'My wedding day. Drove to the church with Edie & Bert, St. Mary's Bolton . Afterwards to Edie's house. Bennie & I left (dark blue & gold silk dress) at 5.30, arrived at Stoke at 8.40 dropped down from [?]. Dull, heavy showers am, fine pm.'

The diary also explores difficult aspects of Dora's life such as her fathers death on 7 March 1886. 'B & I went to church am. Went to Papa's room for a few minutes till 3- again at 5- all was over by 5.15 Papa never spoke or opened his eyes all day...'.

File of diaries written by Dora Trench which chart the last nine years of her life.

These diaries record the birth of her two daughters. Her eldest daughter Sheelah Trench was born on the 28 May ' 9 am Baby born. Eddie came at 11 p.m yesterday, & staid (sic) here all night also Blanche. Sent for Dr. Brodi about 12 p.m he came straight away again. He came again at 6 a.m & staid (sic) till 10 or 11. Chloroform from 6 till 9, took 2 oz.' The birth of her youngest daughter was recorded in Dora's diary by her husband Benjamin as she was preoccupied.17 Jul 1891 '...6.50 am baby girl born'

Her diary also records the sudden decline in her health and her eventual death in 1899. On the 27 March 1899 Dora writes about her final day before her asthma took hold, 'Shopped in [Brougham] & went to tea with Georgie walked home. Sheelah in with cold. Muriel to tea. Very mild, dull, showery. Thora went to 2nd dancing lesson.' Her death on the 7 April 1899 was recorded by Benjamin Bloomfield Trench who simply writes, 'My darling wife breathed her last at [Glebelands]. '