Kilmaine, Co. Mayo - Chief Landlords of the area.
Cloghans
Donor
Turin Castle
by Evelyn Keane
Milford House
Donor
By Evelyn Keane
The Landlords were the Lewins, Rutherfords, Kirwans, Staples and Bowens.
Lewins
General Arthur Lewin owned part of the land of Kilmaine and occupied Cloghan Castle in the early 20tth century. The house has been described as 18th century with 19th century alterations. General Lewis was an aviation enthusiast and went to live in Nairobi, Kenya in the 1930’s. Cloghan’s was sold in to the McCartans in the 1940’s and is now the home of the Kelly family.
Rutherfords
In the 1850s, the Rutherfords occupied Turin Castle. They owned a vast amount of land around Kilmaine and a gatehouse was situated at the entrance to the estate. That small building still remains.
Kirwans
Milford House was the residence of the Kirwan family. They owned several townlands within Kilmaine; Carrowmore; Ballycushion and Cloongownagh, to name but a few. In later years the Ormsby family married into the estate; the descendants of the family still occupy Milford House
Bowens
The Bowens of Co. Mayo appear to be descended from the Bowens of Ballyadams, Queen’s county (county Laois). Anthony Bowen Elwood held lands in the parishes of Kilcommon, barony of Kilmaine and in Kilcolman, barony of Claremorris. He was recorded as an absentee landlord in 1802 and the estate was run by his agent Charles Cromie, who resided at Annefield, Hollymount.