Longfield House,
Co. Westmeath.

Documenting our Heritage

James Longstaff and his family of seven first appear on a petition of Protestant Families preparing to emigrate from the Counties of Carlow and Wexford in the spring of 1818. Longstaff arrived in Westmeath and took up residence at Longfield House. In 1832 James Longstaff is listed on the Voters List of Westmeath. A Susan Longstaff of Longfield died on the 13 Jan 1876.

Longfield House was later renamed Gortmore House. The 1901 census lists the seventeen rooms of Gortmore House as occupied by: Mr S. Rynd, age 45, Justice of the Peace and his wife Olivia Rynd, age 39. The Rynd family had a house staff of four: Lizzie Rabbit, age 27, domestic servant; Mary Branegan, age 37, domestic servant; Peter Keely, age 26, Coachman and John Pellon, age 26, Gardener.

By 1911 Gortmore was occupied by just Charles B Grant and his house keeper Mary Burnett.

The house later fell into total dereliction.

If anybody knows more then please do let me know.