Magenis of Finvoy

THE MAGENISES OWNED 6,816 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM,

AND 2,407 ACRES IN COUNTY DOWN

The family of MAGENIS were from very ancient times the territorial Lords of Iveagh, County Down, claiming descent from the renowned warrior, Connall Cearnagh. Sir Arthur Magennis, Lord of Iveagh, was elevated to the peerage, in 1623, in the dignity of VISCOUNT MAGENNIS OF IVEAGH.

A descendant of the ancient family of which his lordship was the chief,

RICHARD MAGENIS (c1711-57), of Dublin, married Alicia, daughter of William Caddell, of Downpatrick, County Down, and had issue,

RICHARD, his heir;

Henry, died 1759;

Mary; Jane; Alicia.

Mr Magenis was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD MAGENIS, of Waringstown, County Down, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1760, County Armagh, 1762, County Down, 1764; MP for Bangor, 1783-90, Fore, 1794-8, Carlingford, 1798-1800.

Mr Magenis wedded firstly, in 1760, Miss Wray (who died in the same year); and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Colonel William Berkeley, brother of the celebrated prelate, Dr George Berkeley, Lord Bishop of Cloyne, by whom he had issue,

RICHARD, his heir;

William (Very Rev), Dean of Kilmore;

Ellen; Louisa; Emily; Alice; Harriette.

Mr Magenis died in 1807, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD MAGENIS (c1763-1831), of Chanter Hill, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, MP for Enniskillen, 1812-28, who espoused firstly, in 1788, the Lady Elizabeth Anne Cole, daughter of William Willoughby, 1st Earl of Enniskillen, and had issue,

RICHARD WILLIAM, his heir;

William John Cole;

Henry Arthur, father of RICHARD HENRY MAGENIS AND HENRY COLE MAGENIS; grandfather of RICHARD HENRY COLE MAGENIS;

John Balfour;

Arthur Charles (Sir), GCB;

Anne Louise; Elizabeth Anne; Florence Sarah; Florence Catherine.

Mr Magenis married secondly, Elizabeth, widow of Colonel George Dashwood, and had further issue,

Frederick Richard (1816-66).

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD WILLIAM MAGENIS JP DL (1789-1863), of Harrold Hall, Bedfordshire, Major, 7th Fusiliers, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1830, who wedded, in 1821, Ann Maria, eldest daughter and co-heir of William Shepherd, of Bradbourne, Kent.

Major Magenis, however, dsp in 1863, and was succeeded by his nephew,

RICHARD HENRY MAGENIS JP (1831-80), of Finvoy Lodge, Ballymoney, County Antrim, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1868, Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, Antrim Militia Artillery, who espoused, in 1860, the Lady Louisa Anne Lowry-Corry, daughter of Armar, 3rd Earl of Belmore.

Colonel Magenis dsp 1880, and was succeeded by his brother,

MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY COLE MAGENIS JP DL (1838-1906), Royal Horse Artillery, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1887, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his nephew,

RICHARD HENRY COLE MAGENIS (1888-1914), of Finvoy Lodge, and Drumdoe, County Roscommon, Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action at the first battle of the Marne.

FINVOY LODGE, near Ballymoney, County Antrim, is a two-storey Georgian house comprising a high basement and three bays.

It is rendered, with quoins.

Finvoy Lodge (Image: Nevin Taggart and the Owners)

A prominent porch was added at a later stage.

A wing to the north is greater in length than the house itself.

First published in November, 2021.