In 1999 Sharon and I had the privilege of taking a trip to Ireland. One thing we did was visit Avondale, home of Charles Stewart Parnell. All the photos on this page are from that visit.
Although Sharon and my branch of Parnells are probably not related to the Charles Stewart branch, I did think you would enjoy reading a little about and seeing Avondale.
If you have a comment about this page, please e-mail us using the e-mail link on the bottom of this page.
HISTORY OF AVONDALE
The Parnells of Avondale Co. Wicklow, Ireland, were descended from an English merchant family which came to prominence in the town of Congleton in Cheshire early in the seventeenth century. The Irish branch of the family was established soon after the restoration of Charles II in 1660, When Thomas Parnell purchased an estate at Rathleague in Queen's County, now Co. Laois.
The Avondale estate came into the family
through Sir John Parnell who inherited it from his cousin and political ally
Samuel Hayes, MP (Member of Parlament). Upon the death of Sir John Parnell Avondale passed not to his elder son
but to a younger son, William, grandfather of Charles Stewart.
In tribute to
Samuel Hayes, William adopted the surname Parnell-Hayes, the style was dropped in the following generation.
Upon William's death
in 1821, his son John Henry Parnell, father of Charles Stewart, inherited the Avondale
estate. When John died in 1859 Charles was 13 years old and inherited Avondale.
His brothers John Howard and Henry Tudor inherited estates in Co. Armagh and Co.
Carlow. As minors, the children were made wards of court, Charles and his
brothers would not take control of their inheritance until Charles became of
age. Avondale was rented and the family went to live in Dublin.
In 1867,
while he was still at Cambridge, Charles became of age and assumed control of
the estate at Avondale. He adopted it as his residence but only spent the
holidays there until he left Cambridge.
 Entrance to Avondale |
 Back of Gate House |
 Avondale House |
 View when entering house |
 Dining room |
 Setting room |
 View from second floor |
 Study |
 Baby room |
