Rosegarland House

THE LEIGHS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY WEXFORD, WITH 8,280 ACRES

FRANCIS MacLAOISIGH, MacLYSACH, MacLYE, or LYE, petitioned for a lease of the dissolved monastery town and lands of Killeigh, near Geashill, King's County, in 1551, and obtained a lease of them the following year.

Two months later, in 1552, he obtained a grant of English liberty to enable him to hold the lands.

He married the daughter of John O'Carrol, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Arthur;
Francis;
Henry.

Francis MacLaoighsigh or Lye was dead in 1573, and his lands were in possession of his eldest son,

JOHN MacLAOISIGH or LYE,

Who having a perfect knowledge of the English language as well as the Irish, was appointed Interpreter to the State, and was granted for his services as interpreter, in 1584, in the reign of ELIZABETH I, the fee of the monastery of Killeigh, which he then held under the lease of his father, and obtained a grant of Rathbride, County Kildare, dated 1591.

This gentleman married Amy, daughter of George FitzGerald, of Tircroghan, County Meath, and sister of Sir Edward FitzGerald, Knight, of the same place, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Andrew;
Katherine; Mabel; Mary; Margaret; Bridget; Amy; Ellen.

He died in 1612, and was buried at Kildare Cathedral, where his tombstone still remains.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN LEIGH, of Rathbride, who with mother having alienated some of his father's lands, got a pardon for alienation dated 1613.

He had by his wife, whose name was Dowdall, the following issue,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Robert;
Mabel.

John Leigh died abroad and intestate. Administration was granted in 1660 to his eldest son,

FRANCIS LEIGH, of Rathbride, Escheater-General of Leinster in 1663, MP for Kildare, 1689.

Having supported JAMES II, Leigh was attainted of high treason in 1691, when all his lands were forfeited.

He espoused, in 1662, Judith, daughter of Henry Spencer, and had issue,

Robert, died unmarried;
John, of Dublin, died unmarried;
Andrew, of Friarstown;
FRANCIS, of whom hereafter;
Judith, died unmarried.

The fourth son,

FRANCIS LEIGH, of Rathangan, County Kildare, succeeded his brother in the Wexford estate, and became of Rosegarland.

He married firstly, in 1699, Alice, widow of John Rawlins, of Rathangan, by whom he had no issue; and secondly, Miss Carew, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Robert;
Andrew;
Cecilia; Judith; Mary.

Mr Leigh died in 1727, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN LEIGH (c1703-58), of Rosegarland, MP for New Ross, 1727-58, who wedded, in 1727, Mary, daughter of John Cliffe, of Mulrancan, County Wexford, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Grace, m to Anthony, 8th Earl of Meath.

Mr Leigh was succeeded by his only son,

ROBERT LEIGH DL (1729-1802), of Rosegarland, MP for New Ross, 1759-1800, Lieutenant-Colonel, Wexford Militia, 1763, who espoused, in 1750/1, Arabella, daughter of Robert Leslie, of Glaslough, County Monaghan, and had issue,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Charles;
Joseph;
Arabella.

Mr Leigh was succeeded by his eldest son,

FRANCIS LEIGH (1758-1839), of Rosegarland, Collector of Wexford, 1794, Sovereign or Mayor of New Ross, 1799, who married, in 1788, Grace, daughter of Richard Baldwin, and had issue,

John Robert, father of FRANCIS AUGUSTINE;
Charles, died unmarried;
Francis, of Sion;
Cecilia; Grace; Mary.

Mr Leigh, MP for Wexford Borough, 1785-1800, Wexford, 1801, New Ross, 1821-24, was succeeded by his grandson,

FRANCIS AUGUSTINE LEIGH JP DL (1822-1900), of Rosegarland, High Sheriff of County Wexford, 1867, Lieutenant, 10th Hussars, who wedded Augustine, daughter of Monsieur Charles Perrier, of Metz, Lorraine, France, and had issue,

FRANCIS ROBERT, his heir;
Edward;
Rose Jane; Frances; Jane.

Mr Leigh was succeeded by his eldest son,

FRANCIS ROBERT LEIGH JP (1853-1916), of Rosegarland, 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who espoused, in 1903, Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Barton Bell, of Black Hall, Lanark, and had issue,

FRANCIS EDWARD (1907-2003), his heir;
Robert;
Augustine Anne Leigh;
two other daughters.

ROSEGARLAND HOUSE, Wellingtonbridge, County Wexford, is an early 18th century house comprising two storeys and a high basement.

It stands beside an old tower house, once the seat of the Synnotts.

In the late 1700s, a bigger two-storey, gable-ended range was added at right angles to the original mansion house; thus providing the building with a seven-bay front.

There is a fine doorway with fanlight and columns.

To the rear of the house there is a notable office courtyard, close to the old tower-house which was transformed into a kind of folly, with crenellated turrets.

The estate today is renowned for its equestrian and shooting activities and extends to 650 acres.

The house itself is private, though self-catering accommodation is available to rent.

First published in July, 2015.