Mount Bellew House

THE GRATTAN-BELLEW BARONETS OWNED 10,516 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY GALWAY

This family springs from a common ancestor with the BARONS BELLEW, of Barmeath Castle.

MICHAEL BELLEW, of Mount Bellew, County Galway, married Jane, daughter of Henry Dillon, and had issue,

CHRISTOPHER DILLON, his heir;
Mary Catherine. 

Mr Bellew died in 1797, and was succeeded by his son,

CHRISTOPHER DILLON BELLEW (1763-1826), of Mount Bellew, who wedded, in 1794, Olivia Emily, only daughter of Anthony, 4th Baron Nugent of Riverston, and had issue,

MICHAEL DILLON BELLEW (1796-1855), of Mount Bellew, who espoused, in 1816, Helena Maria, daughter of Thomas Dillon, of Dublin, and had numerous issue, of whom

CHRISTOPHER, his heir;
Thomas Arthur, father of 3rd Baronet.

Mr Bellew was created a baronet in 1838, designated of Mount Bellew, County Galway.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE REV SIR CHRISTOPHER BELLEW, 2nd Baronet (1818-67), a Catholic priest, whose brother,

THOMAS ARTHUR BELLEW (1820-63), married, in 1858, Pauline, daughter of the Rt Hon James Grattan MP, and had issue,

HENRY CHRISTOPHER, his heir;
Mary Helena.

Mr Bellew added the name and arms of GRATTAN in 1859.

He was succeeded by his son,

HENRY CHRISTOPHER GRATTAN-BELLEW (1860-1942), of Mount Bellew, who, succeeding his uncle as 3rd Baronet, wedded, in 1885, the Lady Sophia Maria Elizabeth Forbes, daughter of George, 7th Earl of Granard, and had issue,

Herbert Michael, 1886-1906;
CHARLES CHRISTOPHER;
William Arthur;
Thomas Henry;
Arthur John (Sir), Knight, CMG;
Helena Barbara; Moira Jane; Angela Mary.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR CHARLES CHRISTOPHER GRATTAN-BELLEW, 4th Baronet (1887-1948), MC, who wedded, in 1923, Maureen Peyton, daughter of Sir Thomas George Segrave, and had issue,

HENRY CHARLES, his successor;
Deirdre Maureen.

Sir Charles, Lieutenant-Colonel, King's Royal Rifle Corps, was succeeded by his son,

SIR HENRY CHARLES GRATTAN-BELLEW, 5th and present Baronet, born in 1933, who married firstly, in 1956, Naomi, daughter of Dr Charles Cyril Morgan; secondly, in 1967, Gillian Hulley; and thirdly, in 1978, Elzabe Amy, daughter of Henry Gilbert Body.

By his second wife he had issue,

PATRICK CHARLES, b 1971;
Deirdre Sophia, b 1967.

Photo credit: Dr Patrick Melvin & Eamonn de Burca

MOUNT BELLEW HOUSE, Mount Bellew Bridge, County Galway, was a house of mainly late-Georgian style.

It was remodelled ca 1820 by Christopher Dillon Bellew.

Mount Bellew comprised a three-storey centre block, with a single-bay entrance front.

The central block had a Venetian window at the top storey of the centre block.

It boasted a notable library which was said to have held one of the finest collections of books during its era.

Mount Bellew was sold about 1938 and subsequently demolished.

The Grattan-Bellews owned a further 10,593 acres in the Queen's County, and 1,895 in County Roscommon.

First published in March, 2016.

Mussenden Temple Revived

Mussenden Temple (Image: By D LN, Wikipedia)

As part of the students' National Diploma at Northern Regional College, Ballymoney, County Antrim, they have researched and created a "3D" graphical reconstruction of Mussenden Temple, DOWNHILL DEMESNE, County Londonderry, as it is looked around the early 1800s.

Below is a short, three-minute video clip providing us with a flavour of how the interior of the Temple might have appeared two centuries ago.

The interior of the Temple afforded exquisite beauty and grandeur, with copious gilding and elegant plasterwork.

A broad path and wall originally existed in front of the Temple.

OS map of ca 1830

The cliff has been receding to the extent that, in the late 1990s, bolts and anchors were inserted into the rock in order to stablilize the cliff face.

Downhill is a property of the National Trust.

Downhill Revived

As part of the students' National Diploma at Northern Regional College, Ballymoney, County Antrim, they have researched and created a "3D" graphical reconstruction of DOWNHILL HOUSE, County Londonderry, as it is looked around the early 1800s.

Staff and Students have produced this reconstruction as a concept of what to expect from future interpretation plans for Downhill.

Downhill Demesne is a property of the National Trust.

First published in September, 2018.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Dr Angela Garvey, Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint:-

The Rev Nigel John Cairns
Prehen
County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County Borough, his Commission bearing date the 17th day of December, 2021.


Signed: Angela Garvey

Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough

A Peculiar Tea

Still recovering from retinal surgery, with a depleting gas bubble in one eye, I decided to cycle down to the railway station and get a train to Botanic, a mere hop, skip, and jump from University Road, Belfast.

The ancient Burberry trench coat was unearthed; the trusty whangee brolly brandished.

When I alighted at Botanic station I had some time to spare, so I wandered into the Oxfam charity book-shop on Botanic Avenue (where the Arts Theatre used to be).

They invariably have a selection of vintage books, if not exactly "antiquarian."

It was approaching five o'clock, so I strode the short distance from Botanic Avenue, along LOWER CRESCENT, and on to University Road.

A Peculiar Tea is almost directly opposite Holohan's restaurant.

I recall the premises fondly as Beatrice Kennedy's, a delightful establishment which offered the most delectable wheaten bread and perhaps Mr McCarthy's signature dish, seared scallops on Clonakilty black pudding. Sublime.

I dined at BK's on my birthday in 2008.

A Peculiar Tea was established by the local and celebrated chef, Gemma Austin.

Its decor and ambiance are different from BK's, and the theme is somewhat akin to Alice in Wonderland.

I had the six-course Tasting Menu last night.

Since it was the occasion of my birthday, the staff very kindly offered me a complimentary drink, so I had a glass of Prosecco, with a juicy raspberry floating on top.

Guinea fowl, bone marrow, jus

The presentation and service were very good indeed, and, given the amount of time that must have been expended in preparing six delicious and quite exquisite courses, all the crockery and cutlery needed, it was good value at £45.

Cod, champagne sauce, capers

Guinea fowl, cod, venison, sorbet, and other delicacies were presented beautifully and with culinary craftsmanship.

I'm sure Aunt Dahlia's chef Anatole, that master of the gastronomic taste-buds, would have approved.

Venison, celeriac, etc

The final course, a minute pudding, was served with a little lighted candle on top; and I was treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday To You by staff and patrons in the dining-room.

Mayoral Rolls-Royce

Royal Ulster Constabulary Training Depot, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 1978
 (Image: David Irvine)

This stately Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was the official limousine in use by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Belfast between 1968-78.

It was purchased by Belfast Corporation for the official use of the Lord Mayor.

The traditional navy blue colour is still on the bonnet, roof and boot, though elsewhere it has been re-painted.

The bonnet's considerable length is reminiscent of a concert grand piano.

Its original registration number was 1 WZ.

Of course the Council should have kept the car and continued to use it.

It could even have been converted to run on bio-fuel.

It was sold at Bonham's relatively recently.

This car was the first Phanton VI off the production line: 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine. Coachwork by H J Mulliner, Park Ward. Registration number WVO 338G. Chassis number PRH4108. Engine number 4108. Sold for £36,700, including premium.

FOOTNOTES

The Rolls-Royce in-house coach-builder Park Ward Limited (later H J Mulliner, Park Ward) produced what was, in effect, the standard seven-passenger limousine coachwork for the Phantom V.

This timeless design would survive until 1990, being built in near-identical Phantom VI form from 1968, when separate air conditioning for front and rear compartments was standardised alongside the Silver Shadow-specification 6,230cc V8 engine.

The usual upholstery for the front compartment was leather, which was also included in the list of alternatives for the rear along with West of England cloth.

As one would expect in a car of this class, a cocktail cabinet incorporated into the rear compartment’s cabinet-work was one of a host of options that also included electric windows.

Phantom development tended to lag behind that of the contemporary Shadow range, and it was not until 1978 that the model received the three-speed automatic transmission and 6.75-litre engine that had featured on the latter for many years.

By this time the opulent Phantom VI was being built to special order only, with prices on application.

The very first Phantom VI produced, chassis number PRH 4108, was sold new to Belfast City Corporation for use by the Lord Mayor (as referenced in Martin Bennet's book, Rolls-Royce & Bentley: The Crewe Years) and was mostly maintained by the Crewe factory until sold by the Corporation in 1978.

The car enjoyed three subsequent owners before passing into the vendor's hands in 1991, and comes with numerous invoices for this period issued by recognised Rolls-Royce specialists.

Since acquisition it has been maintained by the engineer owners and used regularly on R-REC events, most notably Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2002.

Restored in the early 1990s, the vehicle is reported as being to factory specification apart from the addition of an electric radiator cooling fan.

AUCTION NOTICES

This, four previous owner car, was acquired by the current vendors in 1991 when it was then comprehensively restored underneath and new rear springs fitted.

It has since been enjoyed at many club events.

In addition to regular servicing, the car has benefited from a new radiator, brake overhaul, three new tyres, rear fog lamps and an electric radiator fan together with new front and rear bumpers.

The car comes with all MOT certificates dating back to 1977 and numerous invoices from recognised Rolls-Royce specialists.

Handbook, jack and wheel brace are all included and the cocktail cabinet is complete with decanters and glasses.

First published in August, 2012.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mr John Gerard Gordon
Whiterock
Killinchy
County Down

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County his Commission bearing date the day of 30th November 2021

Lord Lieutenant of the County.

Ballywillwill House

RICHARD McDOWELL-JOHNSTON, son of William Johnston, of Netherlaw Park, Kirkcudbright, (whose sister married Captain, subsequently Colonel, James McDowell, son of Colonel John McDowell, and Janet Ross, his wife, sister of the Countess of Stair), assumed the surname and arms of McDOWELL, in compliance with the will of his uncle, Colonel James McDowell, who bequeathed him the estates of Gillespie and Craignarget, Galloway, Dumfriesshire.

He married Jane Crooks, and had two sons,

WILLIAM, his heir;

Henry, died young.

Mr McDowell-Johnston died in 1772, and was succeeded by his son,

WILLLIAM McDOWELL-JOHNSTON, of Ballywillwill, who wedded, in 1768, Rebecca, daughter of the REV GEORGE VAUGHAN, Rector of Dromore, County Down (whose father, John Vaughan, and grandfather, George Vaughan, had been Rectors of the same place).

Mr McDowell-Johnston died in 1784, leaving a son and heir,

THE REV GEORGE HENRY McDOWELL-JOHNSTON JP, of Ballywillwill, County Down, Vicar of Donegore and Kilbride, 1814-64, who married, in 1811, the Lady Anna Maria Annesley, second daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl Annesley, which lady dsp 1835. 

Ballywillwill House (Image: UAHS)

BALLYWILLWILL HOUSE, near Castlewellan, County Down, is an elegant two-storey, five-bay house, built ca 1815, by the Rev George McDowell-Johnston.

The central upper storey and outer bays have Wyatt windows.

Ballywillwill House: Portico (Image: UAHS)

Ballywillwill has an exceptionally long portico with ten Ionic columns, urns, and a large prostrate lion on its entablature (a lion is a supporter on several Johnston coats-of-arms).

Ballywillwill House (Image: Stuart Blakley: Lavender's Blue)

Four columns in the centre protrude slightly.

Extract from UAHS Publication. Click to Enlarge.

Ballywillwill House features in the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society's publication Historic Buildings in the Mourne Area of South Down, written by the late Peter Rankin in 1975.

Belfast IMAX

A giant of the cinema world arrived in Northern Ireland in 2001, and opened its doors on the banks of the River Lagan, at Queen's Quay.

The £1.5 million (equivalent to about £2.5 million in 2021) IMAX screen at Belfast's Odyssey Pavilion was higher than four double-decker buses.

Its projector was the size of a small car.

It was the biggest cinema screen in the Province.

A local entrepreneur, Peter Curistan, who brought the large screen to Northern Ireland, said at the time:

"The experience is immersive and you do really feel that you are part of the action. I'm very proud to bring it to Odyssey. 

I'm very proud to bring it to Northern Ireland and I think we really have something of truly European standard."

The first film to be shown at the IMAX was Everest.

The chief projectionist at the centre stated that the staff had to undergo weeks of training to get to grips with the new technology:

"It's very, very hi tech actually. We would have three computers to manage the system. 

The soundtrack is put onto disc into a hard drive, so you have to synchronise the film with the soundtrack which is very, very important. 

It's a totally different concept to what normal film would use."

The Belfast IMAX unfortunately closed down in September, 2007.

Mr Curistan was declared bankrupt in 2013.

I enjoyed the experience and went to quite a few movies there.

I was sorry about its demise.

It is wonderful, however, to hear that Cineworld, based in London, and currently the world's second-largest cinema chain, is to open a brand new thirteen-screen cinema complex at Belfast's Odyssey Pavilion.

The new screens will include an IMAX Laser auditorium, a multi-sensory 4DX extreme cinema experience, and Screen X, a 270-degree wrap-around screen which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The new cinema is expected to open on the 10th December, 2021.

First published in April, 2014; revised November, 2021.

The Prince of Wales

THE PRINCE OF WALES is 73 today.

His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland, KG, KT, GCB, OM.

His Royal Highness is heir apparent and first in line to the Throne.

Born at Buckingham Palace on the 14th November, 1948, HRH was educated at Cheam School; Gordonstoun; and Trinity College, Cambridge.

His Royal Highness is Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy, Field Marshal in the Army, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the RAF.

These ranks are known as "Five Star" in the United States.

• Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter 
• Royal Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle 
• Grand Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath 
• Member of the Order of Merit.

His Royal Highness shall ascend the throne as CHARLES III.

New Vice Lord-Lieutenant

APPOINTMENT OF VICE LORD-LIEUTENANT

Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, with the approval of Her Majesty The Queen, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mrs Catherine June Champion DL
Newtownards

County Down

Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the said County, her Commission bearing date the 29th day of October. 2021.


Lord-Lieutenant of the County

Princess Royal in NI

The Princess Royal has arrived in Northern Ireland.

Her Royal Highness this morning visited the Siege Museum, 13 Society Street, Londonderry, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Londonderry (Dr. Angela Garvey).

HRH this afternoon visited Seating Matters Limited, 131 Carnamuff Road, Ballykelly, and was received by Dr. William McGinnis (Deputy Lieutenant of County Londonderry).

The Princess Royal afterwards visited the Limavady Community Development Initiative, Roe Valley Hospital, 24D Benevenagh Drive, Limavady, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry (Mrs. Alison Millar).

New Vice DL

APPOINTMENT OF VICE LORD-LIEUTENANT

Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, with the approval of Her Majesty The Queen, has been pleased to appoint:-

Professor Patrick Gerald McKenna DL
Portrush

County Antrim

Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the said County, his Commission bearing date the 22nd day of October, 2021.


Lord-Lieutenant of the County

Stackallan House

THE VISCOUNTS BOYNE OWNED 2,739 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY MEATH

This is a branch of the ducal house of ABERCORN; CLAUD HAMILTON, created 1st Lord Paisley, in 1587, being the common ancestor of both.

THE HON SIR FREDERICK HAMILTON (c1590-1647), of Manor Hamilton, Dromahair, County Leitrim, youngest son of Claud, 1st Lord Paisley, by his wife, Margaret, daughter of George, 6th Lord Seton, married firstly, Sidney, daughter and heiress of Sir John Vaughan, Governor of Derry, and had issue,

James, of Manor Hamilton;

GUSTAVUS, of whom we treat;

Christina, m Sir George Munro.

He wedded secondly, Agnes or Alice, daughter of Sir Robert Hepburn, of Alderstown, without further issue.

Sir Frederick signalized himself in the armies of GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, King of Sweden, and was afterwards made Governor of Ulster.

The second son,

GUSTAVUS HAMILTON (1642-1723), having abandoned the fortunes of JAMES II, to whom he was a privy counsellor, and distinguished himself as a military officer in the service of WILLIAM III, particularly at the battle of the Boyne, and the siege of Derry, was sworn of the Privy Council of the latter monarch, appointed Brigadier-General of his armies, and further rewarded with a grant of forfeited lands.

General Hamilton was MP for County Donegal, 1692-1713, and for Strabane, 1713-15.

In the reign of QUEEN ANNE he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General; and by Her Majesty's successor, GEORGE I, elevated to the peerage, 1715, in the dignity of Baron Hamilton of Stackallan, County Meath.

His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1717, as VISCOUNT BOYNE.

He married Elizabeth, second daughter of SIR HENRY BROOKE, Knight, of Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, and had issue,

FREDERICK (c1663-1715), father of GUSTAVUS, 2nd Viscount;
Gustavus, father of 3rd and 4th Viscounts;
Henry, MP for Donegal, 1725-43;
Elizabeth.

His lordship was succeeded by his grandson,

2nd Viscount Boyne (Image: Scottish National Gallery)

GUSTAVUS, 2nd Viscount (1710-46); at whose decease, unmarried, the honours devolved upon his cousin,

FREDERICK, 3rd Viscount (1718-72), who wedded, in 1737, Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Hodley; but dying without issue, he was succeeded by his brother,

RICHARD, 4th Viscount (1724-89), who espoused Georgiana, second daughter of William Bury, by whom he had issue, seventeen children, including,

GUSTAVUS, his successor;
Charles;
Richard;
Catherine; Mary; Barbara; Sophia; Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

GUSTAVUS, 5th Viscount (1749-1816), who married, in 1773, Martha Matilda, only daughter of Sir Quaile Somerville Bt, of Somerville, County Meath, and had issue,

GUSTAVUS, his successor;
Richard Somerville, Royal Navy;
Sarah; Georgiana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

GUSTAVUS, 6th Viscount (1777-1855), who wedded, in 1796, Harriet, only daughter of Benjamin Baugh, of Burwarton House, Shropshire, and had issue.

• Gustavus Frederick Hamilton-Russell, 7th Viscount (1798–1872);

• Gustavus Russell Hamilton-Russell, 8th Viscount (1830–1907);

• Gustavus William Hamilton-Russell, 9th Viscount (1864–1942);

• Gustavus Michael George Hamilton-Russell, 10th Viscount (1931–95);

• Gustavus Michael Stucley Hamilton-Russell, 11th Viscount (b 1965).

The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest twin son, the Hon Gustavus Archie Edward Hamilton-Russell (b 1999).

Burwarton House, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, is today the seat of the Viscounts Boyne.

STACKALLAN HOUSE, near Navan, County Meath (originally called Boyne House) was built ca 1716 for Gustavus Hamilton, afterwards 1st Viscount Boyne.

It has been attributed to Colonel Thomas de Burgh, the military engineer, architect and MP.

It comprises three storeys and two adjoining pedimented fronts, one of nine bays and the other, seven bays.

The house has bold quoins and and distinctive window surrounds.

The roof is high-pitched with a modillion cornice.

The staircase is adorned with the Hamilton coat-of-arms surrounded by various military trophies, enclosed in a stucco wreath.

The house remained in the Hamilton family until 1920, when it was sold to Daniel O’Mahoney Leahy. 

During the 2nd World War the Irish army was based at Stackallan House.

In 1953 Stackallan was bought by Major Anthony and Mrs Elzabeth Burke, whose late husband was the grandson of Sir Henry Farnham Burke KCVO CB, Garter Principal King of Arms.

Mrs Burke opened a stud farm at Stackallan in 1960.

In 1964 Major Burke was killed when a horse collapsed on top of him while hunting with the Ward Union. 

It is believed that Stackallan is now the property of Mr Martin Lawrence Naughton KBE.

In 2015 Mr Naughton, CBE, was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) for services to the Northern Ireland economy, art and philanthropic causes.

First published in April, 2018. 

The Black Causeway Incident

The Location of the Incident (Image: Timothy Ferres, 1989)

Castle Ward demesne, County Down, was as idyllic in the 1970s as it is today.

A little caravan site had been established at what used to be called The Screen, a heavily wooded part of the estate beside Strangford Bay.

Black Causeway House still stands at the bay, just outside the side entrance to the estate, beside a small bridge.

This house remains part of the estate, and used to be available for rent by National Trust members and staff.

In the 1970s, the Right Hon Walter Topping QC, Recorder of Belfast, and his family took Black Causeway House for a month every summer (I recall his Ford Granada parked outside).

The National Trust's custodian of Castle Ward in the 1970s was Lieutenant-Colonel Terence P Kyd or Kydd (who retired to Black Causeway House; followed by Mrs Kyd; followed by the Macks).

Beside this house there is a side entrance, with gate pillars, to the estate; in fact, according to a Georgian map, there used to be a gate lodge, too.

Click to Enlarge

The drive from this side entrance passes through beautiful shady woodland, skirting the bay, towards the grounds of Castle Ward House.

One day, forty summers ago, my mother and I were walking along this drive, just beyond the entrance gates.

On an elevated position to our left was the caravan site warden's cottage, a modest bungalow which stood some distance from the drive.

Another drive forked upwards towards the cottage.

At that time the warden divided his duties between the caravan park and the grounds on the estate.

Incidentally, the very first warden was Ernest Swail, an old man who told us that he was Lord Bangor's last boatman.

We were strolling along the drive, and as we passed the warden's cottage we heard a loud bang.

It had come from the cottage.

I was nearest to the cottage; my mother was beside me to my right.

I instantaneously heard and felt a whoosh of air on my left cheek.

We must have been quite stunned, because we stopped immediately and looked at each other.

Thereafter I looked up at the warden's cottage on the little hill above us.

The door was closed and there was no sign of anybody.

I am absolutely convinced that the shot came from the porch of the warden's cottage.

I don't remember whether I told mother about it all; however, we simply resumed our walk.

New County Londonderry DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mrs Leona Mary Kane
Limavady

County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County, her Commission bearing date, the 11th day of October, 2021.


Signed:

Lord Lieutenant of the County

11th October 2021

Gloucesters in NI

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are in Northern Ireland for a two-day visit.

Their Royal Highnesses are fulfilling a programme of engagements in the Province.

On Wednesday, the 6th October, His Royal Highness was greeted by Mr Walter Rader OBE DL, a Deputy Lieutenant of Belfast.

Thereafter HRH, Grand Prior of the Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem, was welcomed at Belfast Cathedral by Sir Nigel Hamilton KCB DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast.

His Royal Highness conducted an investiture of the Order, and installation of the new Knight Commander for the Commandery of Ards.

Her Royal Highness visited the Police Rehabilitation and Training Trust, Holywood, County Down, and was received by Dr Len O'Hagan CBE DL, a Deputy Lieutenant of County Down.

HRH, Chief Patron, afterwards visited Hope for Youth Northern Ireland, Finnebrogue House, near Downpatrick, County Down, and was received by Mr Noel Lamb DL, a Deputy Lieutenant of County Down.

Cambridges in NI

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus, have arrived in Northern Ireland.

More to follow.

Earl & Countess of Wessex in NI

The Earl and Countess of Wessex have arrived in Belfast this evening on the occasion of the final dinner of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at Hillsborough Castle, County Down.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE.

Menlough Castle

THE BLAKE BARONETS OWNED 2,030 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY GALWAY

The founder of this family in Ireland, Richard Blake, alias Caddell, is said to have accompanied Prince (afterwards King) JOHN into that kingdom, 1185, and obtained for his military services large grants of land in the counties of Galway, Mayo, Clare, and in the town of Galway.

VALENTINE BLAKE (1560-1635), married firstly, Margaret, daughter of Robert French, and had, with other issue,

THOMAS, his heir;
Margaret.

He wedded secondly, Annabel, daughter of James Lynch, without further issue.

Mr Blake, Mayor of Galway, MP for Galway, was created a baronet in 1622, designated of Menlough, County Galway.

Sir Valentine was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS BLAKE, 2nd Baronet, MP for Galway Borough, 1645-5, Mayor of Galway, 1637, who espoused Julianne, daughter of Geoffrey Browne, and was father of

SIR VALENTINE BLAKE, 3rd Baronet, of Menlough Castle, MP for County Galway, 1634-5, Galway Borough, 1639-42, Mayor of Galway, 1643, who wedded Eleanor, daughter of Sir Henry Lynch Bt, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Francis;
John;
Henry;
Julianne; Elizabeth; Annabel.

Sir Valentine died in 1652, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS BLAKE, 4th Baronet, who married firstly, in 1649, Mary, daughter of Richard Martin; and secondly, in 1656, Maria, daughter of Robert French, by whom he had issue,

VALENTINE, 5th Baronet;
WALTER, 6th Baronet.

Sir Thomas died ca 1670, and was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR VALENTINE BLAKE, 5th Baronet (1664-86), who fell in a duel, and leaving no issue, the title devolved upon his only brother,

SIR WALTER BLAKE, 6th Baronet, who was the first Catholic gentleman of distinction who joined the standard of the Prince of Orange, and obtained a commission from His Royal Highness to raise a regiment, which he maintained and clothed at his own expense.

Sir Walter, MP for Galway, 1689, wedded firstly, in 1687, Anne, daughter of Sir John Kirwan, and had, with other issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Mary.

He espoused secondly, in 1706, Agnes, daughter of John Blake, and had further issue, a daughter, Catherine.

Sir Walter died in 1748, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS BLAKE, 7th Baronet, of Somerville, County Galway, who married, in 1716, Elizabeth, daughter of Ulick Burke, and had issue,

ULICK, his successor;
Anne.

Sir Thomas died in 1749, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR ULICK BLAKE, 8th Baronet, who wedded Mary, daughter of Richard Blake, though the marriage was without issue.

Sir Ulick died in 1766, when the title passed to his cousin,

SIR THOMAS BLAKE, 9th Baronet, who espoused, in 1730, Eleanor Lynch, though the marriage was without issue, and the title passed to his brother,

SIR WALTER BLAKE, 10th Baronet, who wedded, in 1751, Barbara, daughter of Myles Burke, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Dominick Joseph;
Stephen;
Thomas;
Walter (Brigadier).

Sir Walter died in 1802, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN BLAKE, 11th Baronet (1753-1834), who married firstly, in 1779, Eleanor, daughter of Edward Lynch, and had issue,

VALENTINE, his successor;
Barbara.

He espoused secondly, in 1800, Rose, daughter of Edward Brice, of Kilroot, County Antrim, by his wife Theodora, daughter of Thomas , 1st Baron Ventry, and had further issue,

John Brice;
Eliza; Jane Margaret; Arabella.

Sir John was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR VALENTINE BLAKE, 12th Baronet (1780-1847), MP for Galway, 1813-20 and 1841-7, who wedded firstly, in 1803, Eliza, daughter of Joseph Donellan, and had issue,

THOMAS EDWARD, his successor;
John Francis;
Elly; Eleanor; Eliza.

He married secondly, in 1843, Julia Sophia, daughter of Robert MacDonnell, and had further issue, a son,

Valentine Charles.

Sir Valentine was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS EDWARD BLAKE, 13th Baronet (1805-75), who espoused, in 1830, Lætitia Maria, daughter of Ulick O'Brien, and had issue,

VALENTINE, his successor;
Louisa; Eliza Maria.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his son,

SIR VALENTINE BLAKE, 14th Baronet (1836-1912), JP, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1872, Honorary Major, Galway Militia, who wedded, in 1864, Camilla Eugenia, daughter of Harvey Combe, and had issue,

THOMAS PATRICK ULICK JOHN HARVEY, his successor;
Valentine Joseph;
James Herbert;
Florence Anne; Maude Julia.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS PATRICK ULICK JOHN HARVEY BLAKE, 15th Baronet (1870-1925), JP, Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery, who espoused, in 1903, Evelyn winifred, daughter of Lewes Arthur Stewart, and had issue, an only child,

SIR ULICK TEMPLE BLAKE, 16th Baronet (1904-63), Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, who married, in 1940, Betty, daughter of Arthur Gordon, and had issue, an only child,

THOMAS RICHARD VALENTINE, his successor.

Sir Ulick was found dead in his car after inheriting Menlough Castle.

He was succeeded by his son,

SIR THOMAS RICHARD VALENTINE BLAKE, 17th Baronet (1942-2008).

Sir Anthony Teilo Bruce Blake, 18th Baronet (1951–2014), great-great-great-great grandson of the 10th Baronet through his 2nd son, Dominck Joseph Blake (1754–1843);
Sir Charles Valentine Bruce Blake, 19th baronet (b 1994).

MENLOUGH CASTLE, County Galway, was originally a gabled 17th century tower-house on the bank of the river Corrib, two miles from Galway City.

The building had several additions and extensions during the 19th century, in including battlements, curvilinear gables, Georgian sashes etc.

In July, 1910, the castle was gutted by a catastrophic fire, in which a daughter of the 14th Baronet perished.

Menlough Castle was thereafter abandoned and has remained a ruin since then.

First published in September, 2018.

New Vice Lord-Lieutenant

APPOINTMENT OF VICE LORD-LIEUTENANT

Dr Angela Garvey, Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Londonderry, with the approval of Her Majesty The Queen, has been pleased to appoint,

Mr Ian Crowe MBE DL 

Eglinton 

County Londonderry 

Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the said County Borough, his Commission bearing date the First day of September 2021 

Angela Garvey

Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough

Finnebrogue Soirée

Having just returned from glorious Rathlin Island, I donned the glad rags last night for a charity soirée at FINNEBROGUE HOUSE, a mere hop, skip, and jump from Downpatrick, county town of County Down.

Actually I killed two birds with one stone, as it were.

When I visited Ballydugan and HOLLYMOUNT a few months ago, Margaret Ferguson of the Lakeside Inn had left a note on my windscreen to apprise me that she had information for me pertaining to Hollymount House and its history.

Whereas Finnebrogue is a few miles north-west of Downpatrick, Ballydugan is a couple of miles to the south-west.

Close Enough with Guests (Image: © Declan Roughan Photography, 2021)

My visit to Finnebrogue House was for a charity concert in aid of Hope For Youth Northern Ireland.

Close Enough barbershop quartet entertained us all in the entrance hall of the house.

(Image: © Declan Roughan Photography, 2021)

When I sat down I could hardly believe who was seated beside me - Philip Shirley, of LOUGH FEA, County Monaghan, whom I'd met during a visit to his stately home in County Monaghan.

He told me that they were driving back to Lough Fea that evening.

(Image: © Declan Roughan Photography, 2021)

During the interval I met quite a few interesting guests including, of course, our terrific host, Noel Lamb; Danny Kinahan, LORD & LADY ERNE, JOHNNY ANDREWS; the Armstrongs (of DEAN'S HILL, Armagh); the Montgomerys (of GREY ABBEY). I also saw the HON SHANE O'NEILL, General Sir Mike Jackson; the FITZGERALDS (Randox); and ninety others!

General Sir Michael Jackson GCB CBE DSO (Image: © Declan Roughan Photography, 2021)

We were served tasty little canapés comprising smoked salmon, and cocktail sausages on sticks.

Noel Lamb DL presenting a cheque (Image: © Declan Roughan Photography, 2021)

The show concluded about eight-thirty, so I thanked Noel for his kind hospitality, bade him farewell, and slipped off in the car, in a south-westerly direction for Ballydugan.

The car-park of the Lakeside Inn is beside an utterly delightful, picturesque lake - Ballydugan Lake.

Inside the inn a cheery fire greeted me, radiating heat.

This inn is no ordinary pub: it's homely and cosy, delightfully and unashamedly old-fashioned. I love it.

Margaret Ferguson, the proprietor, welcomed me cordially and introduced me to a pal of hers seated near the fire.

She had a copy of the history of Hollymount, an old and historic estate beside Ballydugan, long associated with the Price family (now Perceval-Price of SAINTFIELD HOUSE).

We all discussed the subject, the families in the district, including the TORRENS-SPENCES who used to live at Drumcullen House, Hollymount.

When I got up to leave I remarked that I wished Margaret's lovely inn were only a bit closer to me!