Farnham estate is very close to Kilmore Cathedral and I'm sure that the MAXWELLS, Barons and Earls of Farnham, worshipped there when they were in residence at their magnificent MANSION and demesne.
Before I motored home I enjoyed a hearty Irish breakfast comprising three sausages, two thick, lean rashers, an egg, baked beans, half a tomato, a kind of hash-brown patty, tea and toast.
En route I stopped at Kilmore "new" graveyard, where I paid a visit to the Farnham family graves.
These graves are located at the far end the the graveyard, on a slope above the road.
Intricate, fine metal railings surround the small plot.
About four steps lead up to it.
The most prominent feature is a beautifully-sculpted angel, made, I think, of marble.
The graves are relatively simple.
There are no coronets, crests or armorial bearings.
The last of the Farnhams to be buried here was the 12th Baron (1931-2001), whose widow Diana, Lady Farnham, DCVO (1931-2021) was a Lady-in-Waiting to Her Majesty The Queen.
The new See House, erected in 2013, is situated adjacent to the parish hall at Kilmore.
This is the official residence of the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
First published in September, 2015.
5 comments :
On the subject of graves , whilst on a sojourn through Donaghadee the other day and after a splendid luncheon in Grace Neill's Public House , (reputed to be the oldest in Ireland rather than the Crawfordsburn Inn ) , however after my repast and a energy boosting pint of Arthur I made my way to the old graveyard on Moat Street to visit the good landlady's family grave where Grace lies after her years of running the famous Pub. After reading that gravestone I discovered a very intriguing stone nearby of a local coastguard treacherously murdered Christmas Eve 1839. The grave of Lieutenant Wintringham Seacole consists of a rather imposing stone obelisk surrounded by a sturdy iron fence embellished with an anchor. Lieutenant Seacole was seriously injured at Trafalgar aged only 15 but gained the rank of Lieutenant in 1826 , he later transferred to the Coastguard and stationed at Donaghadee. On that New Years Eve night he was shot dead on the road between Donaghadee and Millisle . The wadding found in the fatal chest wound being of the same type used in Coastguard revolvers at the time the whole contingent of the Millisle and D'Dee officers were put under guard and inspection of their weapons indicated that a scoundrel in their number called Monaghan had possession of a weapon which had recently been fired and top of the leather holster had been blown off . He was duly arrested and transferred to Downpatrick and then to Tallow jail.
I revisited Donaghadee Parish church graveyard to photograph some interesting gravestones including Wintrington Seacole's above which involved removing ivy which threatened to envelop the the whole stonework. Such a destructive plant to stonework it amazes me why people allow it to grow on their houses. I also took time to visit the large De Lacherois crypt, this family owned Donaghadee for nearly three centuries and are responsible for giving the town layout much of it's "Frenchness " This family had their own private avenue leading into the grounds of the church, this gated avenue , still visible , allowed them to get from their mansion house to church without having to mix with the ordinary churchgoers. How the mighty are fallen ? the crypt is like an overgrown bunker with brambles and ivy obscuring the family names and dates and the ironwork corroded and bent , the rusted railings each individually cast with the Fleur do Lis are a sad reminder of how ornate this crypt once was , maybe Donaghadee Historical Society should seek permission from the church to tidy it up as I believe this is one of the sights visiters are brought to on summer walking tours of the town.
The current Bishop is an East Belfast man from the same parish as yourself Lord Belmont!
I note that Lady Diana Farnham who passed away recently will have her ashes interred at Kilmore cemetry in near future.
When I lived in County Tipperary during the Queen's visit, she was accompanied on her visit to the Rock of Cashel by Lady Farnham. By all accounts the Queen was fascinated by her own descent from Brian Boru, via the Queen Mother who was descended from Viscountess Thurles.
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