Daniel O'Brien

acres at a farthing (ten cents) an acre.

For many years our branch of the O'Briens lived at Ryninch House, Ryninch, County Tipperary. It is often possible under British law for a man to own a house but rent the land it stands on and perhaps this was the situation with Ryninch House. The first mention of it that has been found wog in the abstract of the will of "Daniel O'Brien, farmer of Reyninch, County Tipperary":, written in August 31,1797, and proved December 23,1799. It Apparently he had no children as none are men¬tioned but he does mention his wife, nee Margaret Kelly, and his five sisters, Nancy Kelly, Mary Buckley, Margaret Hayes, Hanna O'Brien and Susannah McMahon, There was also mention of a niece, Mary Hogan, and his brother Darby O'Brien and his son Jeremiah.

As Daniel had no children Ryninch went to his brother Darby Hater in a letter from his grandson Dr. John J. O'Brien this is stated). After Darby O'Brien died in 1820 the house went to his son Jeremiah; it is listed twice in a book on Ireland:

... near the only ford across the river into this county from that of Tipperary ...There are several gentleman's seats, most of which command tine views or the lake and the beautiful scenery along its shores, of these the principal are Ballyvalley, the residence of W. Parker Esq., Tinerana of S.C. Purdon Esq. and Ryninch of Jeremiah O'Brien Esq.12

Further on in the book in the section on County Tipperary is the following:

Tepleichally or Templekelly parish, co. 'fipperary 1/2 mile east of Killaloe on river Shannon. A slate quarry is worked at Ryninch.... Derry Castle, the seat of M. P. Head Esq. is situated on a noble demesne....The other seats are Derry Villa, the residence of J. Salmon Esq., Ryninch of 1. O'Brien Esq.13

The book was written in 1837 and as Darby O'Brien's will had been proved in 1820 Jeremiah must have been living there for some time.