Devolution of title of Cloonyquin farm [Gen-015]
Letter from the Irish Land Commission, 22nd February 1952
Editor's addition, 2025
The transcribed text of the original is provided here to make it better findable in an internet search.
Records: 7038/52.
22 Feabhra, 1952.
Estate - Christopher French. Record No. L.C. 1802.
County Roscommon. Lands: Cloonyquin. Area: 22a. 1r. 24p.
Original Tenant - John Toolin (Senior)
Present Registered Owner - William Devany [Handwritten] died about 1949 [Initialed]
Payer - Elizabeth Devany.
A Chara,
With reference to your letter of the 11th instant the holding described above would appear to be the one in which you are interested and the devolution of the title as far as this office can trace would be as follows:-
On the 8th October, 1887 John Toolin as the Lessee in bona fide occupation of the said holding made application under the Land Law (Ireland) Acts 1881 and 1887 to have a Fair Rent fixed thereon and by an Order of Land Commission dated the 24th June, 1890 No. 6185 he was deemed tenant and a Fair Rent was fixed at £16.
In this application it is set out that the holding was then held by the said John Toolin under a Lease bearing date the 7th March, 1866 and made between the Landlord Christopher French and William Toolin, so I think we may take it that William Toolin was in occupation in March, 1866.
On the 13th February, 1897 John Toolin (described in agreement as John Toolin (Senior)) signed, by his mark, an agreement to purchase this holding from the Landlord through the Land Commission and by an Order of said Commission dated the 23rd July 1897 the holding vested in him and he was registered owner thereof, subject to equities, pursuant to the Local Registration of Titles (Ireland) Act 1891.
On the 7th June 1918 Winifred Toolin was registered as Owner and on the 27th July 1918 William Devany was registered owner of the holding.
The Fair Rent file No. 6185 including the application of 8th October, 1887 and Fair Rent Order of 24th June, 1890 also, the agreement to purchase signed by John Toolin (Senior) and map of the holding could be inspected at our Records Branch 24 Upper Merrion Street and Copies of the Application, Fair Rent Order and Agreement to purchase could be furnished at fees of 4/-, 4/- & 5/- respectively.
Mise, le meas,
[Signature, J Walsh]
Mr. Liam 0 Tuathaláin,
9 Victoria Villas,
Charlemont Road,
Clontarf, Dublin.

Letter from Major French, Cloonyquin, County Roscommon, 28th April, 1952

The final paragraph of the letter reads:
"I have a mass of old papers and documents here which you are welcome to search through any time you are in these parts".
Major French was thanked for his offer: unfortunately it has not proved possible as yet to spare the considerable amount of time which would be necessary to conduct the search.