History of Tollymore Forest Park

The earliest mention of Tollymore was in records dated 1611 when it was stated that the Maginnes family of Upper Iveagh received a grant of 7.5 townlands, including the Estate of Tollymore, from James I. This remained in the family until about 1685 when Bryan Maginness died unmarried and his sister Ellen, who had married Captain William Hamiliton of Ayrshire, inherited the land.

The Hamilton family remained owners of Tollymore until 1798 when a similar chain of events took place.

The great grandson of William Hamilton, James, died in 1798 without children and Tollymore was transferred to his sister Anne, who married Robert Jocelyn, 1st Earl of Roden.

The Roden family continued in possession of Tollymore throughout the 19th Century, when in 1930 the late Earl sold part of the Estate to the Ministry of Agriculture for afforestation purposes. The remainder was sold to the Ministry in 1941.

Forest Service have produced a publication aimed at Primary School children which gives further historical information on Tollymore and contains old photographs that may be of interest.