THE
HISTORY OF CREAGH HOUSE
Creagh House was built in 1837 by the Creagh Family of Laurentinum near Doneraile. The family were landlords of extensive property in Doneraile during the 18th and 19th centuries. The builders were Arthur Gethin Creagh (born November 1746 and died 13 May 1833) and his wife Isabella Bagwell (daughter of William Bagwell MP of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary) whom he married in 1770. They had three sons - Michael, John Bagwell and Arthur Gethin (junior) and five daughters - Jane, Isabella, Mary, Dorcas and Emily.
The
son, Michael Creagh (County Sheriff), was a specific target during the Doneraile
Conspiracy and a key witness during the trial in Cork. It is of interest
to note that his father, Arthur Gethin Creagh, was called to give evidence
for the good character of an older defendant, John Leary. Daniel O'Connell
acted on behalf of the defendants. Unfortunately, John Leary was convicted
and transported to Australia. However, O'Connell persisted until 1837 to
get him reprieved. He was pardoned on the event of Queen Victoria's coronation.
Due to these upheavals, the family decided to move to the security of Doneraile town. The site was bought in 1830, the coach house completed in 1832 and the main house finished in 1837. The location is said to be that of the last Synan house in Doneraile. Arthur Gethin (senior) did not live to see the house built (died 13 May 1833). His wife (Isabella) and third son (Arthur Gethin [junior]) took up residence. The building was mentioned in Lewis (1837) as "the newly erected mansion of A.G. Creagh, esq.". Daniel O'Connell is said to have stayed in the house in the early 1840s.
Isabella
Creagh, sister of Arthur Gethin (junior) married Matthew Shaw, Lieutenant
Colonel of the 87th foot. Her daughter, Isabella Gethin Creagh Shawe,
married William Makepeace Thackeray in Paris in 1836. Thackeray visited
Ireland in 1842 and travelled round the country. The Irish Sketchbook ,
the first work to appear under his own name, was published in 1843.
A grandson (born 1836) of John Bagwell (brother of Arthur Gethin [junior]) was married in September 1863 to Henrietta Cole (daughter of Henry Cole Brown and gran-aunt of Elizabeth Bowen, the author).
Arthur Gethin (junior) married (at the age of 60!) Eliza, only daughter of Admiral Henry Evans of Oldtown in 1840. Arthur died in 1855 without issue.
Eliza Creagh lived as a widow in Creagh House until 1890. The house is mentioned in Bowen's Court by Elizabeth Bowen referring to diaries of another gran-aunt, Sarah Bowen: 24 October 1876, page 249 - "Papa and mama went to a party at Mrs Creagh's"; 21 December 1876, page 251 - "Miss Evans was married in Doneraile Church to Captain Anderson. There were six bridesmaids. The dejeuner was at Mrs Creagh's. There were over 200 guests".
Large
parties were common in Creagh House during this time. Officers from the
army camp at Ballyvonaire were often entertained to dances there. The front
reception rooms were connected across the hall to provide a large dance
floor. The band would play from the rear hall.
Creagh House was left to Major General Arthur Gethin Creagh in 1890 (Eliza's grandnephew). From Whittiker 1912: "Major General Arthur Gethin Creagh, CB [Companion of the Order of Bath] (Military 1896) Rear Admiral Zululand 1879-80, Egypt and Sudan 1884-85. Late commanding in Mauritius, previous Poona Division. Born 1855. Residence Creagh House, Doneraile, Buttevant, Co. Cork."
Major
General Gethin Creagh did not live in the house very long - it was let to
the Croker family.
Creagh House overlooks the "grove of academe" - the garden of Canon Sheehan, now part of the property. The high stables are mentioned in his book Under the Cedars and the Stars . Oliver Wendell Holmes (Jnr) visited Canon Sheehan during his vacations with the Castletowns of Doneraile Court during the early 1900s. Holmes also walked with Sheehan in this garden, discussing philosophy and religion. The ensuing Holmes-Sheehan correspondence has been published.
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