“Though it cannot be seen from the trail, Brownhall Demesne is also the townland of Brownhall Estate which was owned by the Brownes of Tullymore” (Michigan State University, 2009).

“An estate established in the mid-17th century by royal grants to Edward Browne. This family of Brownes were at first known as Brownes of 'Tullamore' or Tullymore and later of 'Brownhall'. Their estate was mainly in the parishes of Balla and Mayo, barony of Clanmorris, county Mayo and in the parish of Kiltullagh, barony of Castlereagh, county Roscommon. By 1857-1858 they were selling off parts of their estate in the Encumbered Estates’ Court and in 1865 their Brownehall home and demesne were put up for sale. However, Hans S.H. Browne still owned 2320 acres in county Mayo in 1876. The Congested Districts' Board purchased 1906 acres of this estate on 7 May 1903” (Landed Estates, 2011-2024).

The dictionary definition of the word ‘demesne’ provides clarity as to its meaning. The Merriam-Webster dictionary (2024) defines a ‘demesne’ as ‘legal possession of land as one’s own,’ and ‘manorial land actually possessed by the lord and not held by tenants.’ The third and final definition of ‘demesne’ is ‘the land attached to a mansion’ (Merriam-Webster, 2024).

It is apparent that country houses do not stand in isolation. They are part of an engineered landscape, known in Ireland as a demesne, which represents the Belline area (which is usually surrounded by walls) retained with a house for enjoyment and use. This is aside from the lands of an estate, which had tenants and formed a primary source of income. The architectural qualities within a demesne can be seen in gate lodges, arranged with grand entrances. Most of the features within a demesne, regardless of function, received architectural attention and could be highly decorated, for example-- a stable yard, cart house, walled garden, or ice house (Ask About Ireland, n.d.).

The Merriam-Webster dictionary (2024) explains the history of the word ‘demesne.’ It says,” Why isn’t "demesne" pronounced the way it’s spelled? Our word actually began as "demayn" or "demeyn" in the 14th century, when it was borrowed from Anglo-French property law. At that time, the Anglo-French form was "demeine." Later, the Anglo-French spelling changed to "demesne," perhaps by association with another term from Anglo-French property law: mesne, meaning "intermediate." ("Mesne" has entered English as a legal term as well.) According to rules of French pronunciation, the "s" was silent and the vowel was long. English speakers eventually followed suit, adopting the "demesne" spelling.”

“The term ‘enclosure’ is used in archaeology to denote any earthwork, for example a bank or a fosse, that encloses a space. Levelled monuments or sites which may have at one point been ringforts or cashels are categorized as enclosures if the only remaining evidence is photographic or in the form of a crop mark” (Michigan State University, 2009).