Stormont Castle: House Party

House Party at Stormont Castle (Image: Victoria & Albert Museum). CLICK TO ENLARGE

 On or about the 27th February, 1923, about two years after the foundation of Northern Ireland, a house party was held at Stormont Castle, Belfast.

The party was given by the Rt Hon Sir James Craig Bt (first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland) on the occasion of the official state entry into Belfast of James, 3rd Duke of Abercorn, KG, KP, as first Governor of Northern Ireland.

Lord Londonderry is seen wearing the star and sash of the Order of the Garter; whereas the Duke and Lord Pirrie wear the stars and sashes of the Order of St Patrick.

Those seated on the front row, from the left, included:-

1. The Rt Hon the Viscountess Pirrie
2. Lady Craig, later the Viscountess Craigavon
3. The Rt Hon Sir James Craig Bt, later 1st Viscount Craigavon
4. The Most Hon the 7th Marquess of Londonderry KG MVO
5. His Grace the 3rd Duke of Abercorn KG KP
6. Her Grace the Duchess of Abercorn
7. The Rt Hon the 1st Viscount Pirrie KP PC

Those standing in the back row included:-

1. The Hon James Craig,  later 2nd Viscount Craigavon (2)
2. Colonel J K McClintock CBE (4)
3. Commander Oscar Henderson DSO CVO CBE RN (5)
4. Sir Stephen George Tallents KCMG CB CBE (6)

The photograph and information is reproduced by kind permission of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

First published in December, 2020.