The Mulholland Baronets

THE HON HENRY GEORGE HILL MULHOLLAND (1888-1971), third son of Henry, 2nd Baron Dunleath, MP for County Down, 1921-9, Ards, 1929-45, Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, married, in 1914, Sheelah, daughter of Sir Arthur Brooke Bt (and sister of Sir Basil Brooke Bt, later 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland), and had issue,

MICHAEL HENRY, his successor;
Sylvia Patricia Norah, m T P Palmer.

He was appointed a Privy Counsellor of Northern Ireland in 1930.

Rt Hon Sir Henry (Harry) Mulholland (Image: Castledawson Review, Facebook)

Speaker Mulholland was created a baronet in 1945, designated of Ballyscullion Park, County Londonderry.

The present Lord Dunleath tells me that, until he became Speaker, Sir Henry was based largely in England, living at Woodspean Grange, near Newbury, Berkshire. 

A room was kept for him at Ballywalter Park, where he could meet constituents when he was in Northern Ireland. 

There was, in fact, a small family enclave at that time around Newbury, as his sister, the Hon Eva Mulholland, who was married to John Saunderson [Castle Saunderson], lived near by at Honeybottom House, a beautiful property near the village of Bagnor and also close to Newbury. 

Their son, Squadron-Leader John Saunderson DSO DFC, lived there until his death ca 2006, after which the property was sold.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his son,

SIR MICHAEL HENRY MULHOLLAND, 2nd Baronet (1915-97), who wedded firstly, in 1942, Rosemary, daughter of Major David Alfred William Ker, though the marriage was without issue.

He wedded secondly, in 1949, Elizabeth, daughter of Laurence Hyde, and had an only child,

BRIAN HENRY, his successor.

In 1993, Sir Michael succeeded his cousin, Charles Edward Henry John, 4th Baron Dunleath, as 5th Baron Dunleath.

In 1993, the Mulholland baronetcy merged with the barony of Dunleath.

Sir Michael (5th Baron) lived at Storbrooke, Massey Avenue, Belfast, near the side gates of the Stormont Estate.

Storbrooke was the Belfast home of Sir Basil Brooke Bt, later 1st Viscount Brookeborough, from 1934-43.

It then became the home of Sir Harry Mulholland, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament from 1943 until his death in 1971.

His son Sir Michael lived at Storbrooke till his death, in 1997.

Sir Michael could often be seen shopping with a wicker basket at Strandtown; he worshipped at St Mark's parish church, Dundela.

BRIAN HENRY, 6th Baron and 3rd Baronet (1950-), DL, of Ballywalter Park, County Down, married firstly, in 1976, Mary Joan, daughter of Major Robert John Fuller Whistler, and had issue,

Andrew Henry, born 1981;
William Alexander, born 1986;
Tara Miranda, born 1980.

He wedded secondly, Vibeke (Vibse) Lunn.

First published in May, 2010.