The Tighe Family & Woodstock Estate

Origins

Woodstock Estate

Photograph of Woodstock Estate

Woodstock Estate

Woodstock Estate

Photograph of Woodstock Estate

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Woodstock Estate owes its existence to the land speculation of Stephen Sweet of Kilkenny who in 1703 purchased the townlands of Inistioge, Kilcross, Killeen and Ballyshane, from the financially embarrassed James Butler, second Duke of Ormonde.

The lands that formed the Woodstock Estate amounted to 21,763 statute acres dispersed over six counties, prior to the Land Acts. Stephen Sweet died in 1725 having designated as his heir, his grandson, William Fownes.

William Fownes was the son of Sir William Fownes, first Baronett and one-time Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1739 William married Lady Elizabeth Ponsonby, daughter of Brabazon Ponsonby, first Earl of Bessborough. Whose dowry of £4000 assisted in the building of a new residence on the estate. Sir William and Lady Elizabeth had an only child, Sarah.