Earlier Houses: The current house replaced a late 17th century house on a different site on the Estate, which replaced a castle built by the ffrench family soon after they acquired the Estate in the late 16th century.

Built / Designed For: Sir Charles ffrench

House & Family History: Castle ffrench is a three-story ashlar-faced house built in 1779 by Sir Charles ffrench, mayor of Galway (the ffrench family was one of the 14 tribes of Galway). The House is noted for its fine and delicate plasterwork and its doors and shutters of exceptional joinery. In the early 19th century the 2nd Lord ffrench suffered a severe financial setback when his bank manager mishandled the family's fortune; this was further exacerbated by the 3rd Lord ffrench, who refused to collect rents from his tenants during the famine. The result was the ffrench family selling up in 1848; the parents of the 7th Lord ffrench repurchased the Estate in 1919 and the family remained in possession of the House until the late 20th century, when they once again sold it.

House Listed: Unknown

Park Listed: Unknown

Current Seat / Home of: William and Sheila Bagliani

Past Seat / Home of: Sir Charles ffrench, late 18th century; Martin Joseph ffrench, 5th Baron ffrench, 19th century; ffrench family here from the late 16th century until 1848, then again from 1919 until late 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Part of the House is available for paid accommodation.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 090-322-288

Fax: 090-322-003

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.castleffrench.com

Historic Houses Member: No