Thursday 4 August 2022

Creagh House

THE KNOXES WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY MAYO, WITH 24,374 ACRES


ALEXANDER KNOX (son of William Knox, who died intestate, son of Alexander Knox), said to have sold Silvyland, Renfrewshire, settled in County Donegal, and is said to have had issue, two sons,
William, of Ashmoyne;
ALEXANDER, of Ballybofey.
The younger son,

ALEXANDER KNOX, of Ballybofey, County Donegal, whose will was proved in 1742, left issue by Mary his wife,
WILLIAM, of Cloghan;
Alexander, of Ballybofey;
Oliver;
a daughter; Margaret; Mary.
The eldest son,

WILLIAM KNOX, of Cloghan, County Donegal, died ca 1760, and left issue, by Margaret his wife, a son,

JAMES KNOX, of Kilcaddan, County Donegal, who left, by Martha his wife,
WILLIAM, of Kilcaddan;
Carncross, of Ballybofey;
Robert;
Margaret; Elizabeth; Martha.
The eldest son,

WILLIAM KNOX, of Kilcaddan, County Donegal, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1776, married, in 1778, Elizabeth, only child of Charles Nesbitt, of Scurmore, County Sligo, and had issue, a son,

COLONEL CHARLES NESBITT KNOX (-1860), of Scurmore, County Sligo, and Castle Lacken, County Mayo, High Sheriff of County Sligo, 1810, Mayo, 1831, who married, in 1810, Jane Cuff, testamentary heiress of James, Lord Tyrawley, and had issue,
CHARLES, his heir;
Sarah.
The only son,

CHARLES KNOX (1817-67), of Cranmore, Ballinrobe, County Mayo, High Sheriff of County Mayo, 1860, Colonel, North Mayo Militia, wedded, in 1839, the Lady Louisa Catherine Browne, daughter of Howe Peter, 2nd Marquess of Sligo, and had issue,
CHARLES HOWE CUFF, his heir;
Howe James, Lieutenant-Colonel;
Hubert;
Philippa.
Colonel Knox was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES HOWE CUFF KNOX JP DL (1840-1921), of Creagh, High Sheriff of County Mayo, 1873, Honorary Colonel, Connaught Rangers, who married, in 1869, Henrietta Elizabeth, daughter of the Rt Hon Sir William Gibson Craig Bt.

There is a stained-glass window "In memory of Charles Howe Cuff Knox who died 27th Dec. 1921 aged 81 years" in the parish church (now the Library) in County Mayo.

Colonel Knox had issue,
Charles William Cuffe, dvp 1910;
HENRY HOWE, his heir;
Gerald Vivian Cuffe, Commander RN;
Louisa Gertrude.
The eldest surviving son,

HENRY HOWE KNOX (1871-1954), of Creagh House, wedded, in 1906, Ada, only child of Sidney Bryan, of Kenilworth, Port Elizabeth, and had issue, a daughter.


CREAGH HOUSE, near Ballinrobe, County Mayo, was built in 1875 for Captain Charles Howe Cuff Knox, to the design of S U Roberts.

Sadly diminished drastically in size in the 1930s by fire (it appears to have been halved), there still remains today a sizeable period house of around 6,000 square feet.


It is located in beautiful and secluded surroundings, habitable, and indeed inhabited, but needing further restoration.


The property today occupies grounds of just under two acres, looking toward Lough Mask.

The grounds are partially wooded with lawned areas around the house.

The front of the house has magnificent views over the Tourmakeady mountains and from some aspects, to the lake.

First published in January, 2013.

2 comments :

Demetrius said...

It is good to see the Nesbitt's turning up. I note the Carncross name. Have you ever come across Cairncross Nesbitt? I have a copy of his will, it is a big one.

Ivan Knox Ballybofey 2019 said...

Alexander Knox (son of William Knox, who died intestate,son of Alexander Knox)who sold Silvyland, Renfrewshire, settled in Co. Donegal and is said to have had issue, William of Ashmoyme, Raphoe and ALEXANDER of Ballybofey, What I would like to find out is which of these two sons owned an 8000 Acre Estate at Cloghan, Ballybofey in or around 1700and 1740.Reply please to Ivanknox3@gmail.com I am a direct descendant of Alexander Knox whom came into Co. Donegal Ireland during the years 1620c of which Estate I am quite familiar with Regards
Ivan Knox, Corcam, Ballybofey ,Lifford ,Co. Donegal. Landline Tel No. from outside Ireland is 00353749131763, From the Irish Republic thenumber is 0749131763. Thank you