Tracing the fascinating past of Montgomery
House
THE
present owner of one of Carlow's most
significant privately-owned houses is seeking the public's
assistance in collating the property's historic past.
The red brick property located on the
Athy Road, opposite the Carlow Garda Station, was sensitively
restored in 2007 by its current owner, John Sullivan in 2008,
John relocated his practice to the building and ever since, has
been researching the property's history.
During his research. John uncovered
some interesting facts, thanks to the help of local historian,
Mike Purcell.
For example, it has already been
discovered that Montgomery House was built in 1847 by
Dr.
McDowell. The house was occupied by the Irish Sugar Growers up
until the 1970s.
However, like most historic research,
certain pieces of information pertaining to the property's
history remain a mystery, and that is where John is looking for
the public's help.
If you have any information that you
think maybe of interest to the current owner, you can contact
John Sullivan at Montgomery House, Athy Road, Carlow or email
myself at
mjbrennan30@gmail.com
Source: Carlow Nationalist
5th June 2009
House History in progress:
Compiled by Michael Purcell in 2011 for
Dr. John Sullivan.
Montgomery House, at 33 Athy Road, Carlow. Originally, the property
belonged to Dr. McDowell, Medical Officer to Carlow Grand Jury in the
1830/40s. (check year) Builder, Deeds, Census, PPP. etc.
In June 1921 the house and the adjoining (twin) house were
advertised for sale, the owner was William Hadden of Hadden's
Drapery shop. Both houses had tenants at the time of the sale,
this caused some problems and the matter was referred for
arbitration,
This extract deals mainly with
Oswald Ross Swanzy, District Inspector with the Royal Irish
Constabulary in Carlow (most of this is Googleable, but requires
verification from other sources).
Oswald Swanzy was occupier
of number 33 whilst he was stationed in Carlow. He was
transferred from Carlow to Cork city, in Dec. 1915. He was shot
on the orders of Michael Collins in August 1920.
Source:
Michael Purcell c.2013
Breen Family
Email received from Carole & 2021
& 2024.
I was born in Montgomery House in 1946. My grandparents were
tenants, John and Bridigit Breen. My grandmother was a midwife.
They had 3 daughters Maureen, Una (who was my mother) and
Pauline. I was brought to England when I was 2 years old. My
mother married Patrick Conkling. Sadly they have died a few
years ago. My mother
Maureen,
often talked about living in Montgomery house where they kept
chickens , they also had cats and dogs. My mother passed away in
2022 at the age of 101.
Kind regards, Carole & Claire. Thank you for your emails
and info.
Apparentely there was a
Ryan family living in this house after 1911 until the
1980s and they refered to the house as the Corner House
on Athy Road. Source: A
member of the Ryan family in the year 2021
