For over 200 years the house was leased from the Vandeleur family who were based in Kilrush, County Clare. Hector Vandeleur was an absentee landlord. He was most known for evictions in County Clare.

In July 1888, he had a large force of several hundred police and military evict about twenty-five families from his estate. The Chief Secretary for Ireland at the time  described Vandeleur as ‘stupid, obstinate, and selfish’

Vandeleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush was formerly part of the Vandeleur Family Demesne.