Summerhill

Castleconnell, County Clare

Built circa 1789, for the Rev. Charles Dunbar Whitehead Massy (d.1817) and his first wife, Mary Anne Ross-Lewin. The land was acquired that year by Charles' father, Sir Hugh Dillon Massy (1740-1807), along with Bleach Yard Farm that was used for bleaching linen, the industry through which the Massys made their fortune....

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This house is best associated with...

Arthur Vincent

Arthur Vincent, of Summerhill, Co. Clare

1761-1851

Mary Westropp

Mrs Mary (Westropp) Vincent

1766-1843

Berkeley Vincent

Berkeley Vincent, of Summerhill, Co. Clare

1803-1882

Arthur Hare Vincent

Colonel Arthur Hare Vincent, J.P., of Summerhill, High Sheriff of Co. Clare

1840-1916

Charles' son, H. Dillon Massy (1797-1870), succeeded to Summerhill in 1817 but when his uncle died in 1842 he not only became Sir H. Dillon Massy, 3rd Bt., he also succeeded to the Massy's principal estate, Doonass House. He sold Summerhill to Arthur Vincent (1761-1851) who was closely related to Lady Massy's family, the Westropps of Attyflin: he was the son-in-law of Colonel Berkeley Westropp; step-grandson of Thomas Westropp of Ballysteen; and, father-in-law of Henrietta Massy of Waterpark. After his death in 1851, Summerhill passed to his third son, Berkeley Vincent (1803-1882). In 1916, coinciding with Irish Independence and the death of Berkeley's son, Colonel Arthur Hare Vincent, it was then occupied by the Macnamara and O’Connell families. Sited on the River Shannon on an estate of 134-acres midway between Limerick and Killaloe, it was demolished c.1940.