Lismore Estate Papers

Waterford City & County Archive holds the nineteenth century records of the Lismore Estate. The Lismore Estate refers to the estates of the Dukes of Devonshire and relates to lands largely situated in the counties of Waterford and Cork. Lismore Castle was and remains the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire in Ireland.

Further information about Lismore Castle is available at www.lismorecastlearts.ie

The Lismore Castle Papers contain records on the administration of the estate, including, records on the running of Lismore Castle and Gardens, the Castle Farm, the woods, mountain, Lismore Sawmills and the Blackwater Fishery.

The collection also includes detailed records on the tenants of the estate, including, rental books, tenant application books and tenant correspondence. The estate was also involved in a number of major projects in counties Waterford and Cork, such as, the introduction of the railways.

The Descriptive List provides a detailed finding aid or account of the records and and a search of this List will identify any records held by the City & County Archives for the Lismore Estate. Having checked the Descriptive List researchers are welcome to visit the City & County Archives to view the originals of the records.

Please note that under the heading ‘Access Conditions’ in the list, some records are not accessible to the public. These records contain personal information and as a result will not be accessible until 100 years after the deaths of those they mention. However, if the records relate to your family then please, contact the Archivist.

The pre-19th century records for the Lismore Estate are held by the National Library of Ireland and the Descriptive List for the collection held by them is available from their website.