In the halls of Parliament, the fate of the Ellis estate in the parish of Abbeyfeale, located within County Limerick, has become a subject of discussion. Mr O’Shaughnessy, a Member of Parliament, raised important questions related to the sale of this estate under the Land Act of 1903.

Mr O’Shaughnessy’s query to the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland centered around the impending sale of the agricultural portion of the Ellis estate. He pointed out that not only is the agricultural land set to be sold, but also a town within the estate known as Abbeyfeale, where many houses have accompanying land. The tenants of these houses expressed their desire to purchase their holdings under the Land Act. An intriguing aspect is that most of these houses were constructed by the tenants themselves.

In response, the Chief Secretary relayed the position of the Estates Commissioners. According to their perspective, the originating application for the estate’s sale designates 33 acres of the town of Abbeyfeale as property in occupation. However, this portion of the town is considered to be outside the scope of the Land Purchase Acts, and therefore, not eligible for sale under these provisions.

The sale of the Ellis estate, the Chief Secretary noted, would be approached based on priority. While the agricultural tenants are under consideration, the town tenants and their unique circumstances will also be evaluated by the Estates Commissioners.

Pressed for more insight, Mr O’Shaughnessy sought clarification on whether the Estate Commissioners would sanction the sale of the estate without involving the entirety of the property. The Chief Secretary responded that such decisions lie within the purview of the Estates Commissioners, emphasizing their authority in determining the appropriate course of action.

As the discourse unfolds in Parliament, the future of the Ellis estate’s sale remains a focal point, with the hopes and aspirations of tenants hanging in the balance.

Kerry News – Wednesday 21 March 1906