Drumbo

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

DRUMBO, or Drumboe, a parish, in the barony of Upper Castlereagh, County Down, four miles from Lisburn, on the River Lagan, and on the old road to Belfast.

Twelve townlands of the ancient parish having been lately annexed to Drumbeg, it now comprises 9629 statute acres, chiefly arable, with a very small proportion of woodland, and, except lands belonging to gentlemen who farm their own property, in a very indifferent state of cultivation, though lately much improved: there is a large tract of bog.

The weaving of cotton is carried on for the manufacturers of Belfast; and at Edenderry is a bleach-green.

The Lagan opens a communication with Belfast, Lisburn, and Lough Neagh.

Belvedere House (Image: Belfast Live)

The principal seats are Edenderry, the residence of W Russell; Edenderry House, of C Dunlop; Belvedere, of A Durham; New Grove, of J Russell; and the elegant lodge and greater part of the demesne of Purdysburn, the splendid residence of Narcissus Batt.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Down, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £517.

The glebe house was built in 1816; the glebe comprises 6½ acres.

Drumbo Presbyterian Church (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

The church, a handsome Grecian edifice with a lofty tower surmounted by a copper dome, was erected in 1788, by subscription, aided by a grant of £500 from the Board of First Fruits, a donation of 150 guineas from Mr Hull, of Belvedere, and of 100 guineas from the Marquess of Downshire.

There are places of worship for Presbyterians, Independents, and Methodists.

Ballymacbrennan schoolhouse (Image: Belfast Telegraph)

Nearly 600 children are educated in the several public schools of the parish; that at Purdysburn was built at the expense of Mr Batt, who supports the school and also provides residences for the master and mistress, who have about 150 pupils; and the master of a school at Ballymacbrennan receives £20 per annum from the trustees of Erasmus Smith's fund, and has an acre of land given by the Marquess of Downshire.

There are also six private schools, in which there are about 400 children.

Giant's Ring: image of a painting in the Welch Collection/NMNI

Not far from the parish church is the Giant's Ring, a circular entrenchment enclosing more than eight plantation acres, perfectly level; in the centre of the enclosure is a large cromlech, or Druids' altar, consisting of seven upright stones supporting a table stone of nearly circular form and sloping towards the east: the land is now let, and the earthwork is being removed for the purpose of cultivation.

Drumbo ca 1830 (historic OS map).  Click to enlarge

In the burial ground close to the supposed site of the ancient church was an abbey, said to have been founded by St Patrick, and of which St Mochumna was the first abbot; there is also an ancient round tower.

Drumbo Round Tower (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

In the parish are eight large raths, the most conspicuous of which, on the summit of Tullyard, is constructed of earth, loose stones, and vitrified substances, similar to the cairns of Scotland.

It is supposed by some writers that there was anciently a fortified town here.

Moira Castle

(Image: Royal Irish Academy)

Here is a rare painting of Moira Castle in County Down, former seat of the RAWDONS, EARLS OF MOIRA. 

Moira Castle, as described by Burke's, was

A large, three-storey, 18th century house with a nine-bay front, consisting of a five-bay centre and a two-bay extension, slightly higher than the centre, on either side.

Only the roof of the centre section was visible: The roofs of the side bays were either flat, or concealed by the massive cornices with which these bays were surmounted.

The mansion had a pedimented and rusticated doorway; curved end bows.

The front was prolonged by single-storey wings on either side, ending in piers with urns.

The Rawdons sold their Moira demesne to SIR ROBERT BATESON Bt in 1805 and moved to Montalto estate, near Ballynahinch, in the same county.

It is thought that Moira Castle was ruinous by the 1830s.

*****

THE water-colour above is by Gabriel Beranger (1729-1817).

Beranger was born in 1729 at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

He moved to Dublin in 1750 to join other family members.

In 1756, he married his cousin Louise Beranger (d 1782), and shortly afterwards opened a print shop at St Stephen's Green.

Beranger became acquainted with several members of Dublin society who were then taking a great interest in Irish history and antiquities. In 1773 he and his antiquarian friends made the first of their tours through Ireland.

Beranger's wife died in April, 1782, and in June of that year, he married Elizabeth Mestayer.

In the early 1780s, he obtained a job as assistant ledger-keeper in the exchequer office.

In later years his circumstances were eased after he inherited part of a fortune amassed in India by his brother-in-law, Colonel Mestayer.

Gabriel Beranger died at a house in St Stephen's Green in 1817.

First published in March, 2011.

The McMahon Baronetcy

THE McMAHON BARONETS, OF DUBLIN, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY TYRONE, WITH 16,326 ACRES 

JOHN McMAHON, patentee Comptroller of the Port of Limerick, by his first wife had issue, a son,

John, cr a baronet, 1817, designated of Ashley Manor.

He wedded secondly, in 1771, Mary, daughter of James Stackpole, of Cork, and had further issue,

WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Thomas (Lieutenant-General Sir), 2nd Baronet, of Ashley Manor.

John McMahon was butler to Robert, Earl of Leitrim, who granted him the position of Comptroller of the Port of Limerick.

The elder son,

WILLIAM McMAHON (1776-1837), having been bred to the Bar, was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and sworn of the Privy Council.

Mr McMahon was created a baronet in 1815, designated of Dublin.

He married firstly, in 1807, Frances, daughter of Beresford Burston, of the Irish Bar, and one of His Majesty's Counsel, and had issue,

BERESFORD BURSTON, his successor;
William John, b 1811.

Sir William wedded secondly, in 1814, Charlotte, daughter of Robert Shaw, of Dublin, and sister of Sir Robert Shaw Bt, and had further issue,

Robert;
Augustus;
Charles;
George;
Charlotte; Louisa; Wilhelmina.

The eldest son, 

SIR BERESFORD BURSTON McMAHON, 2nd Baronet (1808-73), of Fortfield House, Captain, Scots Fusilier Guards, espoused, in 1838, Maria Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Bateson Bt, of Belvoir Park, Belfast, and had issue,

WILLIAM SAMUEL, his successor;
Robert Bateson, died unmarried;
Beresford Burston, died unmarried;
Gerald Charles, died unmarried;
LIONEL, 4th Baronet;
Catherine Charlotte; Frances Thomasine;
Maria Constance Georgiana; Nina Gertrude.

Sir Beresford was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM SAMUEL McMAHON, 3rd Baronet (1839-1905), DP DL, of Mountfield Lodge, County Tyrone, Captain, 2nd Life Guards, attaché to the British Legation at Munich, who died unmarried and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR LIONEL McMAHON, 4th Baronet (1856-1926), DL, who wedded, in 1888, Anne Celia Austin-Cooke, though the marriage was without issue.

Sir Lionel was Lieutenant in the 58th Regiment; fought in the Zulu War, 1879; admitted to Inner Temple, entitled to practice as a barrister; DL of County Tyrone; High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1914.

On his death, the baronetcy became extinct.

Sir Charles McMahon (1824-91), Knight, youngest son of the 1st Baronet, was born at Omagh, County Tyrone and served with the army in Canada and India. In 1853, he went to Australia and was became Melbourne's Chief Commissioner of Police.

At one time his remarkably successful business deals were called into question, but he survived the accusations and was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly and was knighted in 1875. Sir Charles was born at Fecarry Lodge, Omagh, County Tyrone.

*****

THE VILLAGE of Mountfield, near Omagh, was developed mainly in the 1800s by the 1st Baronet in order to rival Omagh.

The McMahons lived at Fecarry Lodge, near the village.

The area was acquired in 1846, following the sale of the Blessington estate.

The 1st Baronet initially built Fecarry Lodge; Mountfield Lodge was built later.

In 1911, the 3rd Baronet's address was listed as Mountfield Lodge; and he also had a London home at 214 Finchley Road, Hampstead.

First published in  November, 2010.  McMahon arms courtesy of the NLI.

1st Duke of Wharton

DUKEDOM OF WHARTON

1718-31

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, on the banks of the river Eden, Westmorland, living during the reign of HENRY V, Lord of the manors of Wharton and Nateby, in Kirkby Stephen, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Musgrave, Knight, of Hartley Castle, Westmorland, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;

Gilbert.

The elder son, 

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton and Croglin, wedded the daughter of Lowther, of Lowther, and had issue,

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, who espoused Alice, daughter of Sir John Conyers, Knight, of Hornby, Yorkshire, and had issue,

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton, who married Agnes (or Margaret), daughter of Reginald Warcop, of Swerdale, Westmorland, and had issue, of whom the elder son,

SIR THOMAS WHARTON (1495-1568), Knight, Governor of the town and castle of Carlisle, was summoned to Parliament, in 1545, as Baron Wharton.

His lordship married firstly, Eleanor, daughter of Sir Bryan Stapleton, of Wighill, Yorkshire; and secondly, in 1561, the Lady Anne Talbot, daughter of Francis, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury.

He was succeeded by an elder son and successor (having had issue by the former wife only), 

THOMAS, 2nd Baron (1520-72), who wedded Anne, younger daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Sussex, and had issue, a son and successor,

PHILIP, 3rd Baron (1555-1625), who espoused firstly, in 1577, Frances, second daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, and had, with three daughters, two sons,

George;
Thomas.

His lordship married secondly, Dorothy Colby; and thirdly, the Lady Anne Manners, daughter of John, 4th Earl of Rutland.

The 2nd Baron's sons having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson,

PHILIP, 4th Baron (1613-96), who married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Rowland Wandesford, Knight, of Pickhay, Yorkshire, and had issue, an only daughter, ELIZABETH.

4th Baron Wharton, by Anthony van Dyck
(Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA)

His lordship wedded secondly, Jane, daughter and heir of Colonel Arthur Goodwin, of Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Goodwin, MP;
Henry;
Anne; Margaret; Mary; Philadelphia.

The 4th Baron espoused thirdly, Mrs Anne Popham.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 5th Baron (1648-1715), who was created, in 1706, Viscount Winchendon and Earl of Wharton; and, 1715, advanced to the dignities of Marquess of Malmesbury and Marquess of Wharton; and at the same time was made a peer of Ireland, as Baron Trim, Earl of Rathfarnham, and Marquess of Catherlough.

Allegorical Tomb of Thomas, 1st Marquess of Wharton
Photo Credit: Government Art Collection

His lordship espoused firstly, Anne, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir Henry Lee Bt, of Ditchley, Oxfordshire; and secondly, Lucy, only daughter and heiress of Adam, 1st Viscount Lisburne, and besides two daughters, Lucy and Jane, an only son,

PHILIP, 2nd Marquess (1698-1731), who was created, in 1718, DUKE OF WHARTON.

His Grace married firstly, Martha, daughter of Major-General Richard Holmes, and had issue, an only child, Thomas, who died in infancy. 

He wedded secondly, Maria Theresa O'Neill, daughter of Colonel Henry O'Beirne, an Irish officer in the Spanish Service, but had no issue.

His Grace, the celebrated and witty Duke of Wharton, was attainted, 1729, and died in a Spanish monastery in 1731, when all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Wharton which became abeyant between the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Baron Willoughby de Eresby, and Colonel Charles Kemeys-Tynte.

• Jane Wharton, 7th Baroness Wharton (1706–61) (became sole heir 1739; abeyant on her death);

• Charles Theodore Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 8th Baron (1876–1934) (abeyance terminated 1916);

• Charles John Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 9th Baron (1908–69);

• Elisabeth Dorothy Kemeys-Tynte, 10th Baroness (1906–74) (abeyant on her death);

• Myrtle Olive Felix Robertson, 11th Baroness (1934–2000) (abeyance terminated 1990);

• Myles Christopher David Robertson, 12th Baron.

The heir presumptive is the Hon Meghan Robertson (b 2006).

Former seat ~ Winchendon Manor, Buckinghamshire.

First published in September, 2017.  Wharton arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

County Down Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

The principal rivers are the Bann and the Lagan, neither of which is navigable within the limits of the county: the former has its source in two neighbouring springs in that part of the Mourne Mountains called the Deer's Meadow, and quits this county for Armagh, which it enters near Portadown, where it communicates with the Newry Canal.

The Lagan has also two sources, one on Slieve Croob, and the other in Slievenaboley, which unite near Waringsford: near the Maze it becomes the boundary between the counties of Down and Antrim, in its course to Belfast Lough.

There are also the Newry River and the Ballynahinch river, the former of which rises near Rathfriland, and falls into Carlingford Lough; and the latter derives its source from four small lakes, and empties itself into the south-western branch of Strangford Lough.

This county enjoys the benefit of two canals, viz. the Newry navigation, along its western border, connecting Carlingford Lough with Lough Neagh; and the Lagan navigation which extends from the tideway at Belfast along the northern boundary of the county, and enters Lough Neagh near that portion of the shore included within its limits.

The Lagan Canal, being partly through the bed of the Lagan, its passage is so much impeded by floods as to detract much from the benefits anticipated from its formation.

First published in December, 2023.

Cuppage of Mount Edwards

THE CUPPAGES OWNED 5,560 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM

The family of CUPPAIDGE came originally from Germany, and the first member of it on record is FAUSTUS CUPPAIDGE, who removed from England to Ulster in 1604, and after the settlement, obtained the estate near Coleraine, County Londonderry.

This Faustus Cuppaidge had, with other issue,

STEPHEN, of whom hereafter;

Faustus;

Robert.

The second son,

STEPHEN CUPPAIDGE or CUPPAGE, represented the borough of Coleraine in Parliament, 1664.

His grandson,

THE VERY REV GEORGE CUPPAGE, Dean of Connor, 1739-43, accompanied Admiral Edward Vernon on the celebrated expedition to Porto Bello in 1730, as private chaplain, and was rewarded for his services by the City of London, with presentation of the living of Coleraine.

He married Miss Burke, great-aunt of the celebrated Edmund Burke, and had a son,

THE REV BURKE CUPPAGE, Rector of Coleraine, wedded Miss Kirkpatrick, and was father of

GENERAL WILLIAM CUPPAGE (1756-1832), of Shooter's Hill, who espoused Mrs Cairnes (née Nicholls), and had a son,

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR BURKE CUPPAGE KCB (1794-1877), Royal Artillery, Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, 1863, who married Emily Anne, fourth daughter of General Sir John and Lady Emily Mcleod, and had issue,

Robert, killed in the Indian Mutiny;

Burke, 21st Hussars, died 1864;

Emily; Jane; both of Hampton Court Palace.

*****

JOHN CUPPAGE (c1700-c1751), of Cloghglass or Retreat Castle, a younger son of the above-mentioned Stephen Cuppaidge MP, acquired a fortune, and purchased an estate in County Antrim.

Part of his property called Garden Hill (now LESLIE HILL) was sold by his son,

THE REV ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1727-72), who wedded Mary, sister of Colonel Boyd, MP for Antrim County.

Mr Cuppage was drowned between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, and was succeeded in the possession of the remaining portion of his property by Elizabeth, the daughter of his eldest son, who married her second cousin John Cuppage, and was mother of Adam Cuppage, of Glenbank, County Antrim.

The Rev A Cuppage's younger son,

GENERAL ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1762-1848), of Clare Grove, County Dublin, and Mount Edwards, County Antrim, wedded Clarinda, sister of Major-General Sir Charles Bruce KCB, and had issue, ten children, of whom one of his sons,

EDMOND FLOYD CUPPAGE (1809-64), of Mount Edwards, who espoused firstly, in 1832, Louisa Elizabeth, daughter of George Thompson, of Clonskeagh Castle, County Dublin, and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his heir;

George William, of Riverston, Co Meath; father of EDMOND VERNON CUPPAGE;

Edmond;

Hamlet Wade;

Ellen Sophia (1840-58).

He espoused secondly, Susan, daughter of Henry Garnett, of Green Park, County Meath, and had further issue,

Edmond Francis (1850-69), drowned in the Red Sea;

Alice Clarinda.

Mr Cuppage was succeeded by his eldest son,

ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1833-1907), of Mount Edwards, Lieutenant, 4th Dragoon Guards, who died unmarried.

His nephew,

EDMOND VERNON CUPPAGE (1866-1908), of Clare Hall, County Dublin, and Mount Edwards, Major, South Staffordshire Regiment, died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

GRANVILLE WILLIAM VERNON CUPPAGE (1867-1940), of Mount Edwards, who married firstly, in 1898, Marion Gwendoline, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel A J G Kane, USA; and secondly, in 1909, Edith Madeleine, only daughter of Frederick Murray Reade, by whom he had issue, an only child,

EDWARD READE VERNON.

Mr Cuppage emigrated to Canada, and held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Lands and Works, Victoria, British Columbia.

His only son,

EDWARD READE VERNON CUPPAGE (1911-), of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, married Audrey Shirley, daughter of George Frederick Tennant, and had issue,

Burke Edward Bailey, b 1939;

George Wilfred, b 1951;

Shirley Madeleine, b 1944.

MOUNT EDWARDS, south of Cushendall, County Antrim, is described by Mark Bence-Jones in Burke's Guide to Country Houses as,

"An old, plain, two-storey house, deep in relation to its length; described in 1819 as "one of those old snug farmhouses that was built by gentlemen who got tracts of land, in former days, from the Antrim family." 

"Many improvements wee carried out at that period by Samuel Boyd; by 1835 Mount Edwards had been acquired by General Alexander Cuppage, who used it as a summer residence."

Do any readers have images of Mount Edwards?

First published in December, 2023.

Fermanagh Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE only river of any consequence is the Erne, which, entering the county a short distance from Belturbet, flows into Lough Erne at its southern extremity, and, after passing Belleek at its northern extremity, discharges itself into Donegal Bay at Ballyshannon; all the other rivers empty themselves into Lough Erne.

River Erne at Belleek (Green Collection/NMNI)

The Finn is navigable for boats as far as Cumber Bridge, on the confines of Monaghan; the Pettigo and the  Omna rise near Lough Derg, in Donegal, and after uniting their streams fall into the lake a mile south of the town of Pettigo.

The Sillees rises near Church Hill, and takes a southern direction to the lake.

There are upwards of 50 smaller streams, all contributing to augment the waters of the great central reservoir.

The Ulster Canal, intended to unite Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, will enter this county from Monaghan, not far from Clones; thence proceeding towards Belturbet, it is to fall into Lough Erne.

The roads are numerous, but for the most part badly laid out; many of them are flooded during winter, exceedingly inconvenient, and kept in indifferent repair.

First published in December, 2023.