Tipperary author to unveil latest historical book in local library this month

Following on from the successful launch of her book in Cahir, recently, Margaret O’Sullivan will be hosting an event in the Nenagh library on the 18 November 2025 at 6.30pm to mark the launch of her book, Lismore estate under William Robert Hood Rochfort, 1891-1902, in Counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary.

Dr Siobhan Geraghty, former Heritage Officer with Tipperary County Council, will be on hand to say a few words about the book.

William Rochfort may be a name unfamiliar to many, but for much of his career as a land agent (1872-1940), he managed estates throughout Ireland from Derry in Northern Ireland to the far southernmost reaches of county Kerry.
In the north Tipperary area, he was a land agent on Viscount Lismore’s estates particularly around the Borrisokane and Roscrea areas.

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This book, using the words of both the land agent, and the tenants on Viscount Lismore’s estate in Counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary, the land agent–tenant relationship between 1891 and 1902 is explored. The techniques employed by Rochfort to investigate the personal circumstances of his tenants, his treatment of them and his ability to occasionally provide discreet assistance to those in need are all examined. Issues of most concern to the tenants, as told in their own words, are also considered.

The book includes tenants from Roscrea, Fethard, Clonmel and Cahir in county Tipperary along with tenants from north county Cork and south county Limerick.

If you cannot make it on the night, copies of the book are available in The Bookshop, Nenagh, local bookshops and from Four Courts Press.