Jonathan Swift

BRYAN SWYFTE had a grant from Lewis de Beaumont, Bishop of Durham (who died 1333), of part of the lordship of Allergill, County Durham, to be held of the palatine earldom of the Bishop by service of the eighth part of a knight's fee.

He was succeeded by his son,

SIR HUMPHREY SWYFTE, Knight, of Allergill, who married a daughter of Alexander, of Beddick, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN SWYFTE, of Allergill, who wedded Maria, daughter of John Hedworth, and was succeeded by his son,

EDMOND SWYFTE, of Allergill, who espoused Margaret, daughter of Thomas Trollope, of Thornley, County Durham, and was succeeded by his son,

ANTHONY SWYFTE, of Allergill, who married a daughter of Sir Richard Surtees, Knight, of Dinsdale, and was succeeded by his son,

ROBERT SWYFTE, of Allergill, and of Rotherham, Yorkshire, who wedded firstly, a daughter of William Hansard, of Walworth, by which lady he had issue,

THOMAS, of whom presently.

He espoused secondly, Agnes, daughter of Martin Anne, of Frickley, by whom he had two sons,

Robert, of Rotherham;
William, of Rotherham.

The eldest son,

THOMAS SWIFTE, of Allergill, was father of

HENRY SWIFTE, of Sheffield; at whose decease he left two sons, viz. Sir Francis Swifte, knighted 1616, who died in 1642; and

THE REV THOMAS SWIFT, Rector of St Andrew's, Canterbury, Kent, 1566-92, who was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

He married Margaret, daughter of daughter and heir of the Rt Rev Dr Thomas Godwin, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, and left an only son,

THE REV THOMAS SWIFT (1595-1658), Vicar of Goodrich and Rector of Bridstow, Herefordshire, distinguished for his active devotion in the cause of CHARLES I, and to the person of his son, Prince Charles (afterwards CHARLES II, during the latter's protracted wanderings.

He wedded Elizabeth, daughter of John Dryden, sister of Sir Erasmus Dryden, 1st Baronet, of Canons Ashby, and grand-aunt of John Dryden, the poet, by which lady he had (with four daughters) ten sons, of whom,

Godwin, succeeded him;
Dryden, dsp;
Thomas;
William;
JONATHAN, of whom we treat;
Adam, of Greencastle, County Down.

The fifth son,

JONATHAN SWIFT (1640-67), of Dublin, a solicitor, espoused Abigail Erick, of Leicestershire, by whom (who died in 1700) he left, with a daughter, Jane, a posthumous son,

Jonathan Swift (Image: Bodeian Libraries)

THE VERY REV DR JONATHAN SWIFT (1667-1745), the celebrated Dean of St Patrick's, born in Hoey's Court, Dublin, who has related many anecdotes of his grandfather's loyalty in his account of Anecdotes of the Family of Swift, the original manuscript of which is still preserved in the library of Trinity College, Dublin.

Dr Swift died unmarried, and was interred at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

First published in April, 2019.

Vicarship

Have you wondered what the difference is between vicars and rectors?

Frankly I've been unsure myself; my trusty Nuttall's dictionary, however, explains it neatly.

Vicar; Vicarage; Vicarial; Vicarship.

Vicar: the incumbent of a parish who, not being a rector, is remunerated by a stipend, not directly by tithes.

A stipend, as if you didn't know, is an annual payment or salary.

Vicars were practically employed by landowners, lords of the manor, nobility, and gentry.

The title of Vicar is today virtually synonymous with that of Rector, though possibly some very grand ducal or noble houses still employ them in estate churches.

In the Church of Ireland, many vicarages have been united or amalgamated with rectories; for instance, the Rector of Killinchy is also today the Vicar of Kilmood (St Mary's parish church, Kilmood, County Down, was the estate church of Florida Manor, and vicars were appointed by the Gordons, lords of the manor).

The Vicar of Belfast's patron used to be Lord Donegall; whereas today the Dean of Belfast is also Vicar of Belfast.

First published in March, 2021.

Mayoral Lamps

Bedford Street, February, 2019

Until quite recently a pair of singularly ornate, decorative lamps adorned the entrance to Lord Mayors' homes, whether they resided on the Shankill Road, Mersey Street, or Malone Park.

The features of these elaborate lampposts may have been gilded originally.

Sir Charles Brett remarked that "four cretinous putti, coy and obscene" surrounded the columns.

One putto peruses a book; another wears a masonic apron with a trowel; yet another grasps a boat.

The fourth, which faces the Ulster Hall, has unhappily lost his implement.

Seahorses surround the columns below the putti feet.

It is thought that Belfast city Council, in its infinite wisdom, felt that the erection of these civic lampposts was impractical, given the the office of Lord Mayor is usually rotated annually by several parties.

Sir Reg Empey (now the Lord Empey), Lord Mayor, 1989-90, and 1993-4, had the lampposts outside his home.

Mayoral Lamps, Antrim Road, Belfast (Image: Belfast Live)

Which Lord Mayor lived on the Antrim Road in the 1960s? Kinahan?

Who was the last Lord Mayor to enjoy this civic mark of distinction?

It was suggested to me that Dr Ian Adamson OBE, Lord Mayor, 1996-7, was the last city councillor to enjoy that distinction.

At any rate, many citizens shall be disappointed that this unique tradition has ceased.

First published in February, 2019.

Charlemont

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTEER AND THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND

CHARLEMONT, an incorporated market town and district parish in the barony and county of Armagh, and formerly a parliamentary borough, in the parish of Charlemont, stands on the right bank of the River Blackwater, and on the road from Armagh to Dungannon.

This place derives its name from CHARLES, LORD MOUNTJOY, who, while Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1602, erected a castle here, and called it Charlemont, partly after his name, and partly after his title.

The post and market town of MOY so immediately adjoins it as to be separated topographically only by the river, and politically by being in a different county; and, for all economical purposes, it is strictly one town with Charlemont, and the more important section of their joint mass.

A neat new stone bridge carries the thoroughfare across the river.

The Stone Bridge leading to Moy (Image: William Alfred Green)

The Ulster Canal passes close to the town; and is expected to occasion a stimulus to trade.

A weekly market is held on Saturday; and fairs are held on May 12, August 16, and November 12.

The castle or fort of Charlemont is a place of considerable military strength, crowning an eminence on the margin of the Blackwater, a little below the bridge; and it is maintained in repair, and used as the ordnance depot, and headquarters of the military in the north of Ireland, and is usually occupied by two companies of artillery, amounting, with wives and children and other parties, to a population of about 300.

This strength was formerly of great importance on account of its commanding the passage of the Blackwater, and checking the turbulences of the O'Neills of Tyrone.

THE borough of Charlemont was incorporated by charter of JAMES I; and it became one of the boroughs included in the "New Rules" of CHARLES II.

The limits comprised the townland of Charlemont, and a small additional area called the Liberties, the former containing about 200, and the latter about 20 acres.

The corporation was styled "The Portreeve, Free Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Borough of Charlemont."

The portreeve and the free burgesses, the latter 12 in number, returned two members to the Irish Parliament; but, in exercising this privilege, they were long the mere tools of the Earls of Charlemont, heads of the Caulfeild family; and at the legislative union, Francis William, 2nd Earl of Charlemont, received the whole of the £15,000 [about £1,150,000] of compensation for disenfranchisement.

The corporation speedily sank into "incurable decay," and its last portreeve died about 1820; but almost immediately after its legal extinction, some individuals resuscitated and usurped the rights, obtaining a recognition by the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council, and professedly brought the provisions of the charter into operation.

"But we conceive," said the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations, in 1833, "that the present corporation has not any legal existence, and is not aided by the provisions, which places a limitation on the remedy by quo warranto."

A borough court, granted by the charter, fell into desuetude amid the decay of the genuine corporation, but was revived, and held weekly before the portreeve, under the usurping administration.

Tolls were collected by the legal corporation, and began to be exacted by the  newly organized body, but were resisted at fairs, though not at the weekly market.

But the receipts and disbursements during three years, ending in 1830, amounted only to respectively £9 11s 3d [about £1,060 in 2020], and £8 16s 2d.

First published in April, 2021.

Loughry Manor

THE LINDESAYS OWNED 2,821 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TYRONE 

The first of the family of LINDESAY who settled in Ulster, upon the confiscation of the O'Neills in that province, were two brothers, BERNARD LINDESAY, of Lough Hill, Haddington, Gentleman of the Bedchamber to JAMES VI, King of Scotland, and ROBERT LINDESAY, Chief Harbinger to that monarch, sons of THOMAS LINDESAY, of Kingswark, in Leith, which Thomas held several offices of high honour and trust, as well as emolument, under MARY, Queen of Scotland, and her son, JAMES VI, such as Searcher-General of Leith, in 1562, which he resigned in favour of his son, Bernard, in 1594. 

The King provided, not only for him, but his family, by pensions, to his daughters, Agnes and Elizabeth, out of the rents and tithes of the abbey of North Berwick; also to his sons, Bernard, Thomas, and Robert, from other lands belonging to the friars of Linlithgow. Sir David Lyndsay was Lyon King of Arms, 1542-54.

Thomas Lindesay, the Snawdoun Herald, and Searcher-General of Leith, was living in 1594.

His son, 

ROBERT LINDESAY, of Leith, Chief Harbinger and Comptroller of the Artillery to JAMES I in Scotland, obtained from that monarch a grant of the manor and lands of Tullyhogue, Loughry, etc, County Tyrone, by patent dated 1611.

He married Janet Acheson, and by her (who survived him, and was living in 1619) he had a son and successor,

ROBERT LINDESAY (c1604-74), of Loughry and Tullyhogue, who obtained a second patent of the said manor and lands of Loughry and Tullyhogue, described therein as Manor Lindesay, in the 14th year of the reign of CHARLES I, and who built the mansion house of Loughry in 1632, which was burnt by the rebels in 1641, and rebuilt by him in 1671.

Mr Lindesay, an officer in the royal army at the battle of Worcester, married Margaret, daughter of James Richardson, of Castle Hill, County Tyrone, and had issue (with three daughters),

ROBERT, of whom presently;
Alexander, of Cahoo;
William.

The elder son, 

ROBERT LINDESAY, of Loughry and Tullyhogue, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1677, a refugee and defender in Londonderry during the celebrated siege, wedded Anne, daughter of John Morris, of Bellville, County Tyrone.

He died in 1691, leaving issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
JOHN, of whose line we treat.

The elder son,

ROBERT LINDESAY (1679-1742), of Loughry and Tullyhogue, MP for County Tyrone, 1729-33, Judge of the Common Pleas, 1733, married, in 1707, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Singleton, of Drogheda (and sister of Henry Singleton, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, and afterwards Master of the Rolls, in that kingdom), and had issue one son and one daughter: Robert, died an infant; Anne, died unmarried.

Judge Lindesay, a close friend of the VERY REV DR JONATHAN SWIFT, the celebrated Dean of St Patrick’s, was succeeded by his brother,

JOHN LINDESAY (1686-1761), of Loughry and Tullyhogue, who married, in 1744, Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev Bellingham Mauleverer, Rector of Maghera, County Londonderry, and granddaughter of the Most Rev William Nicolson, Lord Archbishop of Cashel.

He died in 1761, leaving a son and successor,

ROBERT LINDESAY (1747-1832), of Loughry and Tullyhogue, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1788, MP for Dundalk, 1781-3, a Deputy Governor of Tyrone, Assistant Barrister, County Tyrone, who married, in 1775, his second cousin, Jane, eldest daughter and co-heir of Thomas Mauleverer, of Arncliffe Hall, Yorkshire, and had issue,

John, father of JOHN LINDESAY;
Robert, died in infancy;
FREDERICK, of whom hereafter.

Mr Lindesay was succeeded by his eldest son,  

JOHN LINDESAY (1780-1826), Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Tyrone Militia, Mayor of Cashel, who wedded Mary Anne, daughter of Richard Pennefather, of New Park, County Tipperary, MP for Cashel, and had an only son,

JOHN LINDESAY DL (1808-48), Lieutenant, 7th Royal Fusiliers, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1840, who succeeded to the family estate on the death of his grandfather, 1832.

Mr Lindesay married Harriott Hester, daughter of the Rt Hon Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn MP, of Llangedwin, brother to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bt, MP, of Wynnstay, Denbighshire, though died without an heir, and was succeeded by his uncle, 

FREDERICK LINDESAY JP DL (1792-), of Loughry, Barrister, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1859, who married firstly, in 1823, Agnes Cornish Bayntun, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Sir Edwin Bayntun Sandys Bt, of Miserden Park, Gloucestershire, and Hadlington Hall, Oxfordshire (who died in 1842), and had issue,

Robert Sandys, Capt. Royal Tyrone Fusilier Militia; d 1870;
Frederick John Sandys (1830-77), of Loughry, military officer;
Thomas Edward, 22nd Native Infantry, killed in 1857;
JOSHUA EDWARD CHARLES COOPER, of whom we treat;
Jane; Philippa Allen; Agnes Sarah.

The fourth son, 

JOSHUA EDWARD CHARLES COOPER LINDESAY JP DL (1843-93), of Loughry, Lieutenant-Colonel, 3rd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, late 50th Regiment, died unmarried, and was succeeded by his cousin,

HENRY RICHARD PONSONBY LINDESAY (1843-1903), of Loughry, and Donore, Ivybridge, Devon, Lieutenant-Colonel, Reserve of Officers, 60th Rifles and 20th Regiment, who wedded, in 1898, Frances Mary, daughter of the Rev J Irwin, Rector of Hurworth-on-Tees.

He dsp 1903.

Loughry (Image: Ebay)

LOUGHRY DEMESNE, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, dates from the early 17th century.

The origins of the demesne can be traced to 1611, when land in the area was granted by JAMES I to his Chief Harbinger, Robert Lindesay, who is thought to have built himself a timber residence on the southern side of the river Killymoon, close to the village of Tullahogue, "surrounded by a ditch with a high bank of Clay and a quick-thorn hedge".

Robert died ca 1629 and his lands passed to his son Robert, who built a new residence on the present site in 1632.

This house was destroyed in the 1641 rebellion and the site was abandoned until 1671, when a new dwelling was commenced.

This second house was finished in 1674, shortly after Robert's death, and survived until about 1750, when it, too, was destroyed by fire, although it is thought to have been accidental.

Although there appears to be no extant documentary evidence to prove it, the relatively steeply-pitched roof and simple symmetrical lines of the present building suggest that it is that built ca 1754 to replace the 17th century residence.

Loughry (Image: Ebay)

On this, the main two-storey, five openings-wide, gabled block to the south is shown, along with a rear return and the long wing to the north, an arrangement which is by and large repeated on the revised map of 1857, but with somewhat more extensive rear returns.

It is said that Frederick Lindesay added a "saw mill, steward's house offices and lodge" to the demesne in 1863, and that in the house itself was "improved" by his son, Frederick Lindesay, upon his coming into the estate in 1871-72.

Part of the latter improvements probably involved the addition of the section to the north end of the north wing, which is believed to have originally contained "a banqueting hall and musicians' gallery", as well as the porch, and the decorative mouldings around the window openings.

Frederick Lindesay led an extravagant lifestyle, and by the time of his death in 1877, he had amassed debts said to have been in excess of £42,000.

His younger brother and successor, Joshua Lindesay, attempted to rectify this by leading a frugal existence.

Consequently he appears to have vacated Loughry during the 1880s, living within the much more modest Rock Lodge, to the south of the estate.

Joshua died in 1893, leaving the family's financial problems unresolved, and shortly afterwards the house and estate were sold to Cookstown businessman, John Wilson Fleming.

According to a family historian, Ernest Godfrey, either before or just after the sale, a fire "destroyed the top storey of the mansion".

The extent of the damage caused by the fire, and the amount of rebuilding - if any- is uncertain.

In 1908, Mr Fleming sold the house and its demesne to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland, which, in 1908, opened the Ulster Dairy School on the site.

Shortly afterwards, the school built a new front wing and, within the original building, converted the library to an office; the dining-room to a sewing-room; the small drawing room to a superintendent's room; the large drawing room to a school room; the blue bedroom to a staff sitting room; another bedroom to a small dormitory; the yellow room to a superintendent's room; Bachelor's Walk to a teachers' wing; and the banqueting hall and musicians' gallery to another dormitory.

In 1922, following the establishment of Northern Ireland, the school was handed over to the Northern Ireland Ministry of Agriculture.

In 1949 it became Loughry Agricultural College.

Loughry Manor-house (Image: CAFRE)

THE VERY REV DR JONATHAN SWIFT, Dean of St Patrick's, a close friend of Judge Lindesay, is thought to have written part of Gulliver’s Travels whilst staying at Loughry.

Dean Swift's Summer House, as it became known, perches precariously above the river Killymoon.

Both the summer house and Loughry Manor are listed.

The house has "1632" inscribed on a wall.

Modern planting and landscaping enhances the college buildings and the prospect to the planted top of Rockhead Hill has not been obscured.

There are mature trees in the parkland, in clumps and individual trees.

The river bank is heavily wooded throughout the demesne and old walk-ways survive.

Offices and stables for the manor house have been adapted for college use.

The walled garden contains a small collection of fruit trees, but is not otherwise cultivated.

First published in April, 2013.

Castlegar House

THE MAHON BARONETS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY GALWAY, WITH 8,619 ACRES

BRYAN MAHON, son of Bryan Mahon, land steward to the Earls of Clanricarde, Lieutenant in Lord Clanricarde's Infantry Regiment, in JAMES II's army, fought at the battle of the Boyne, 1690.

He wedded, in 1693, Ellinor, daughter of Ross Gaynor, and had issue,

James;
Peter;
ROSS, of whom hereafter;
Mary; Elizabeth; Hester; Alice; Ellinor.

Captain Mahon died in 1719.

His youngest son,

ROSS MAHON (c1696-1767), of Ahascragh and Castlegar, County Galway, married, in 1721, Jane, daughter of Christopher Ussher, and had issue,

ROSS, his heir;
John;
Alice.

Mr Mahon, who inherited most of his brothers' fortune, was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROSS MAHON (1725-88), of Castlegar, County Galway, who espoused, in 1762, the Lady Anne Browne, only daughter of John, 1st Earl of Altamont, and had issue,

ROSS, his heir;
John;
Henry (Rev);
James (Very Rev), Dean of Dromore;
George;
Anne; Harriette; Jane; Amelia.

Mr Mahon was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROSS MAHON (1763-1835), JP, MP for Granard, 1798-1800, Ennis, 1820, who wedded firstly, in 1786, the Lady Elizabeth Browne, second daughter of Peter, 2nd Earl of Altamont, and had issue, three daughters,

Charlottle; Elizabeth Louisa; Anne Charlotte.

He espoused secondly, in 1805, Diana, daughter of Edward Baber, of Park Street, Grosvenor Square, and had further issue, a daughter,

Letitia Anne.

Mr Mahon married thirdly, in 1809, Mary Geraldine, daughter of the Rt Hon James FitzGerald, of Inchicronan, County Clare, by Catherine, Baroness FitzGerald and Vesey his wife, and had further issue,

ROSS, 2nd Baronet;
JAMES FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet;
WILLIAM VESEY ROSS, 4th Baronet;
John Ross, joint founder of Guinness Mahon, 1836;
Henrietta Louisa; Georgina; Catherine Geraldine; Jane Alicia; Caroline.

Mr Mahon was created a baronet, in 1819, designated of Castlegar, County Galway.

Sir Ross was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROSS MAHON, 2nd Baronet (1811-42), ADC to the 2nd Earl de Grey, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR JAMES FITZGERALD ROSS MAHON, 3rd Baronet (1812-52), JP DL, Barrister, who died unmarried, when the title devolved upon his brother,

THE REV SIR WILLIAM VESEY ROSS MAHON, 4th Baronet (1813-93), Rector of Rawmarsh, Yorkshire, 1844-93, who wedded Jane, daughter of the Rev Henry King, and had issue,

Ross, died in infancy, 1854;
Ross (1856-76);
WILLIAM HENRY, his successor;
John;
James Vesey (Rev);
Edward;
Gilbert;
Mary; Alice.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR WILLIAM HENRY MAHON, 5th Baronet (1856-1926), DSO JP DL, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1898, Major, West Yorkshire Regiment, who espoused, in 1905, Edith Augusta, daughter of Luke, 4th Baron Clonbrock, and had issue,

William Gerald Ross (1909-10);
GEORGE EDWARD JOHN, his successor;
Luke Bryan Arthur;
Ursula Augusta Jane; Mary Edith Georgiana.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR GEORGE EDWARD JOHN MAHON, 6th Baronet (1911-87), who married firstly, in 1938, Audrey Evelyn, daughter of Walter Jagger, and had issue,

WILLIAM WALTER, his successor;
Timothy Gilbert;
Jane Evelyn.

He wedded secondly, in 1958, Suzanne, daughter of Thomas Donnellan, and had further issue,

Sarah Caroline.

Sir George was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM WALTER MAHON, 7th Baronet (1940-), LVO, Colonel, Irish Guards, Member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, who married, in 1968, Rosemary Jane, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Ernest Melvill, and has issue,

JAMES WILLIAM (b 1976);
Annabel Jane; Lucy Caroline.

CASTLEGAR HOUSE, Ahascragh, County Galway, dates from ca 1803.

It replaced two other houses in the property.

The present mansion, built for Ross Mahon, afterwards the 1st Baronet, is a square block comprising two storeys, with three at the rear, and a two-storey side elevation.

There is a curved bow in the centre of the front, with a pedimented Ionic porch.

The opulent interior is characteristic of its designer, Sir Richard Morrison.

The 5th Baronet added a service wing and back porch following his succession in 1893; thus the Doric rear hall became the new entrance hall.

Castlegar House (Image: Kellie Glynn)

The Irish Times wrote the following article about Castlegar in 1999:-

IT HAS STOOD there since 1803, exalting testimony to the taste and distinction of late Georgian architecture.

Castlegar is hidden away among 50 acres of gardens, parkland, woods and pasture outside the village of Ahascragh, in east Galway.

It is for sale by private treaty through Charles Smith, of Gunne's country homes division, who is quoting a guideline price of £1.5 million.

Originally, the estate was the home of the Mahons, gentry stock whose descendants linked with the Guinness family to form a land agency that eventually evolved into the Guinness Mahon merchant bank.

Sir Ross Mahon commissioned architect Richard Morrison to plan alterations to a rambling old house that existed there previously.

Rather than remodelling it, Morrison designed an entirely new building which took several years to complete.

Since 1992, Castlegar has been owned by a Frenchman with a passion for restoring old houses to their original splendour and who has spent hundreds of thousands on refurbishing it.

He is now selling it as he is unable to spend enough time there because of commitments in Paris, the US and Canada.

He is leaving one of the finest Georgian country homes in Ireland, restored with consummate care to the pristine state of its early days.

The marvel of the restoration work lies in the fact that while it has uncovered the innate beauty of the house as it was first conceived, it also has added all the appurtenances of modern living.


Castlegar has been described as the grandest of Morrison's "villas", the word villa being used in its original meaning of a country residence.

The house combines resplendent reception rooms with exceptionally comfortable family accommodation in an ambience of relaxed old-fashioned elegance.

In addition to the staff accommodation, there are six bedrooms, each with a fireplace and its own bathroom, and all providing views across the rolling plains of east Galway.

Oddly, the house has two entrances, one on the north side, the other on the south.

The south entrance, no longer used as such, opens into an oval hall with a magnificent ceiling adorned with classic floral friezes, a white marble mantelpiece, and columns flanking recessed doors that lead to the drawing-room on one side and a morning-room on the other.

Two other doors open on to the top-lit central stair hall, an elegant space where the Portland stone staircase has a simple, wrought iron balustrade and ascends to an imposing domed landing.

The oval hall, the huge drawing-room and the dining-room were radically decorated at the turn of the century with commendable taste and the present owner has attentively preserved and enhanced the adornments.

The drawing-room, which has a polished, pitch pine floor, is graced by a striking period mantelpiece with an Adam-style grate.

Classic Victorian-style predominates in the dining-room where there's a high fretted ceiling, a carved oak mantelpiece and heavy oak shutters.

A spacious billiards-room-cum-library, with a large, hand-crafted oak mantelpiece, and a beautifully appointed study are other impressive features of Castlegar.

In addition to the six bedrooms on the first floor, there is another spacious drawing-room looking across a fountain and lawns to the south.

The staff quarters are located on the second floor.

There are a further two bedrooms here as well as a kitchen, sitting-room and bathroom.

Walled gardens, a stable complex and a hard surface tennis court are spread out over several acres close to the house.

The outbuildings include a beautiful lofted cut-stone coach-house, along with four garages and three stables, plus a stable-yard that has seven loose boxes, a tack room and a further spread of farm buildings.

Beneath the house is a vaulted basement, dry and airy, with six rooms, a boiler space and a wine cellar.

I'm seeking current images of Castlegar House.

Baronscourt Shoot

DARREN CRUSH OF THE SHOOTING GAZETTE MAGAZINE WROTE AN ARTICLE IN 2011 ABOUT GAME-SHOOTING AT BARONSCOURT COUNTY TYRONE, SEAT OF THE DUKE OF ABERCORN

NORTHERN IRELAND may not have as many opportunities for game shooting as elsewhere in the British Isles, but in Baronscourt it certainly has one of the most beautiful. 

Situated in a valley at the base of the Sperrin Mountains, Baronscourt estate, all 15,000 acres of it, is something of a sporting paradise. 

Not only does it cater for those in pursuit of sporting pheasants, it can also satisfy the appetite of both the deerstalker and river angler.

Combine this with a main house as majestic on the outside as it is within and you’ve pretty much met the needs of any avid sportsman. 

On the morning of the shoot I was greeted with snow and bright sun.

Saddled up and ready to go after breakfast, I made my way along the remaining eight miles from my hotel to the estate.

The scenery just got better and better as I weaved through the country lanes. 

After passing through the main gates I was met by a beater who pointed me towards the main house, and soon after I grabbed a glimpse of the impressive Clock Tower and Governor’s Lodge - a building that is part of the estate’s stable yard and which dates back to 1890. 

I soon arrived at Barons Court - the main house and seat of the Duke of Abercorn’s family since 1610 - to be met by my host Jamie, Marquess of Hamilton.

I was introduced to the rest of the guns before grabbing an opportunity to speak with Jamie about the shoot as everyone finished their breakfast. 

“There has been game shooting at Baronscourt since the mid-1800s,” said Jamie. “It is something we have always nurtured under our own management.

This includes retaining, as best as possible, our own bloodline of pheasant. 

We’re very lucky in terms of the topography, which really lends itself to sporting birds.

Sammy Pollock, our head-keeper, is assisted by his son, Stephen, and daughter, Jeanette, as well as a wealth of other locals who help on shoot days. 

“Sport at Baronscourt is all about balance and this includes the number of game shooting days that are put on.

In order to protect our stocks we don’t overshoot the land, and each season we will establish how many shoot days we should have so as not to upset this balance. 

There are three types of game shooting on the estate; client days, family days, local syndicate days and walked-up days.

The shoot is mainly run for the family but we feel in order to make full use of the land, and also generate extra income to pump back into the shoot, it is wise to let out days.

We have one group of guns that come here six times a year for walked-up game shooting.

Conservation is also very much to the fore.

Every decision is carefully thought out in terms of the impact it will have and the benefits that can be drawn from it. 

And this is not only in terms of game shooting - a Laurent Perrier Award for wild game conservation in relation to the management of our wild herd of Japanese sika, and the Royal Forestry Society’s Duke of Cornwall Award highlights this. 

All of Baroncourt’s days are managed by Jamie - a personal and knowledgeable touch which ensures everything runs smoothly. 

The estate is fortunate to offer a variety of game for its discerning clients. 

“We are very lucky to have a number of woodcock on the estate and have devised drives whereby the guns and beaters can actually walk together along custom-made tracks cut through coniferous woods in pursuit of this sporting bird,” said Jamie. 

“Moderation, again, is the key here and we organise days according to the potential number of woodcock in the area.” 

A call to the By-turn, the first drive, marked the end of our conversation, and it was then to the gun-bus - a fine specimen adorned on the inside with framed photographs of previous shoots and family members from years gone by. 

Driven along by helper Robert Freeborn we soon found ourselves in a snow-strewn landscape.

I found myself behind Lord Iveagh from the Elveden estate.

Resplendent in his family’s Guinness tie, it wasn’t long before he was sampling some of Baronscourt’s best. 

As snow clouds loomed in the distance, pheasants took flight over the line of guns, their rich colours, reflected by a glowing winter sun were stark against a darkened sky. 

They came in a steady trickle and the drive lasted long enough for each gun to get a good share of the sport. 

Elevenses in a log cabin followed McKelvey’s Kale - a very scenic drive that backed onto one of the estate’s three lakes and the main house.

The team tucked in to sausage rolls, soup and a nip of sloe gin around the warmth of a log fire.

Once suitably fortified it was on to the Spinney. 

With the guns lined out in front of tall, coniferous woodland it didn’t take an expert to realise more testing birds were on their way. 

Sure enough, high bird after high bird powered up over the guns and with the bright sun burning in the sky, only a few were deterred from lifting to a sporting height. 

With lunch looming, there was a treat in store for the guns - a duck drive.

Not only was it a great way to end the morning’s game shooting, it provided uninterrupted sport as the birds lifted in a frenzy of flight.

The guns enjoyed a good half an hour of sport and bagged 110 head. 

Over lunch I bent the ear of head-keeper Sammy Pollock: “I’ve worked on this estate for 35 years,” he told me.

“I started off in the estate’s forestry department before a position came up to join the shoot. 

I had always had an interest in game shooting so to become an under-keeper was a chance that I really wanted to take. 

Bob Godfrey was the head-keeper at the time, so I worked under him for a number of years before working under his successor, Trevor Miskelly.

Then I was made head-keeper 19 years ago and have been so ever since.” Son and daughter Stephen and Jeanette joined Sammy when they left school. 

And, apart from enjoying everything ‘outdoors’, Jeanette also has an interest in water colour painting, something she does on commission.

And Sammy even has his other son, David, and David’s son, Adam, helping out on shoot days too. 

For Sammy and his team, conservation, as with Jamie, Lord Hamilton, is key, and he realises that for game shooting to work it has to be carried out in conjunction with managing the land correctly. 

Echoing Jamie’s comments Sammy said: “It’s all about conservation, it has to be.”

“Take the woodcock for example, we have created special game shooting conditions for them that hasn’t been detrimental to the woodland. “

“Combine that with the fact we don’t overshoot them, and you see how we’re trying to create a decent environment for them.”

“I think we’ve got it just about right here.”

“We’ve been working on it for the past 20-odd years and everything seems to be going well.” 

A working estate that is conducive to the surrounding land and community certainly seems in evidence here, and a lot of the game goes back in to the rural community too. 

“Making good use of game is paramount on the estate,” said Jamie.

“As well as supplying the local trade we also supply restaurants in Belfast and Dublin.”

“The estate also has a EU approved game processing facility, one of only two in Northern Ireland, where we can prepare oven-ready birds.”

“Full game preparation is now very much of the business and this also includes venison - approximately 250 head of venison were prepared at the last count.”

“Some of this produce makes its way to our cookery school at Belle Isle.” 

We closed the day with Ramps.

With the stunning house in the background, the guns saw good birds before retiring for a cup of tea, and for those staying the night, something a little bit stronger. 

For me, it was a trip back to the airport and a head full of memories from a great day.

First published in June, 2011. 

Portballintrae

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTEER OF IRELAND, PUBLISHED IN 1846

PORT BALLINTRAE, a small bay near the mouth of the river Bush, and in the bottom of the bay between Bengore Head and the Skerries, on the north coast of County Antrim.

It has about 14 feet of depth of water, and experiences a rise of about 8 or 9 feet in spring tides.

Portballintrae (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

A small pier and dock, capable of containing two or three small vessels, was built by Mr Spencer for the use of his salt works, is well executed, and admits vessels drawing 7 feet.

The Bay, Portballintrae, with Coastguard Cottages to the Right (Image: William Alfred Green)

"Mr S" reports Mr Nimmo, "has also begun a breakwater of rough stone on the west side of it, which he proposes extending 40 or 50 yards into 10 feet of water."

"This place is likely to be of importance to the fishery or embayed vessels etc, and is the only shelter or landing-place hereabouts."

"The work seems deserving of aid. The expense of the breakwater may be £500 or £600 [about £80,000 in 2020]."

First published in April, 2021.

The Hanmer Baronets

THE HANMER BARONETS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN FLINTSHIRE, WITH 7,318 ACRES

This family is of great antiquity in Flintshire. By a deed still extant, David de Hampton granted to John de Hanmere the Fenns Wood, Flintshire, in 1198, during the reign of RICHARD I. The descendant of this JOHN DE HANMERE, in the female line, marrying in the reign of HENRY III, Sir Thomas de Macclesfield, their son assumed the name of HANMER from the family and estate of his mother; and from this marriage the male descent of the Hanmers is unbroken to the present day.

Sir Thomas de Macclesfield was succeeded by his son,

JOHN DE HANMERE, knighted by EDWARD I, and in his reign Constable of Carnarvon Castle.

His great-grandson, Sir Jenkin Hanmer, joined Owen Glendower (who had married his sister Margaret) in his rebellion against HENRY IV, and was slain at the battle of Shewsbury in 1403.

The family line passed uninterruptedly until we come to

SIR THOMAS HANMER, MP for Flintshire, 1593, one of the Council of the President of the Welsh Marches.

He also attended the Earl of Derby into France with the ensigns of the Garter to HENRY III from ELIZABETH I; and was himself knighted by JAMES I in 1603.

He married firstly, in 1585, Anne, daughter of Sir John Talbot, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;

Catherine.

He wedded secondly, Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Mostyn, and had further issue,

Thomas; Roger.

Sir Thomas died ca 1619, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN HANMER (c1590-1624), MP for Flintshire, who espoused Dorothy, daughter of Sir Richard Trevor, and had issue,

John;

David;

THOMAS, of whom hereafter;

Mary; Katherine.

Sir John was created a baronet in 1620, designated of Hanmer, Flintshire.

He was succeeded by his youngest son,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 2nd Baronet (1612-78), MP for Flintshire, 1640-78, Cupbearer to CHARLES I, in whose cause he raised, during the civil war, two troops of horse.

Sir Thomas was to have been one of the Knights of the Royal Oak had the institution of that order actually taken place.

He espoused firstly, in 1631, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Baker, of Whittingham Hall, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;

Trevor.

Sir Thomas wedded secondly, Susan, daughter of Sir William Hervey, of Ickworth, Suffolk, and had further issue,

William, father of the 4th Baronet;

Thomas;

Thomasin.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet, of Hanmer Hall, Flintshire, and Whittingham Hall, Suffolk, MP for Flintshire, and colonel of a regiment under WILLIAM III at the battle of the Boyne.

Sir John attained the rank of Major-General in the army.

He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Alston, and had issue, an only daughter, Mary.

Sir John was killed in a duel, in 1701, when the title devolved upon his nephew,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 4th Baronet (1677-1746), of Pall Mall, Westminster, Bettisfield Park, Flintshire, and Mildenhall, Suffolk, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, 1712.

Sir Thomas married twice; the marriages, however, were without issue, when the baronetcy expired; and the estate of Hanmer devolved, by settlement, upon his kinsman,

WALDEN HANMER (1717-83), only son of Job Hanmer, who was created a baronet in 1774, designated of Hanmer, Flintshire.

Sir Walden, fifteenth in descent from Sir John de Hanmere, Governor of Carnarvon Castle, wedded, in 1783, Anne, youngest daughter and co-heir of Henry Vere Graham, of Holbrook Hall, Suffolk, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;

Job;

Graham;

Edward;

Walden Henry;

Anne.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 2nd Baronet (1747-1828), who wedded, in 1779, Margaret, daughter of George Kenyon, of Peel, Lancashire, and had issue,

THOMAS, father of SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet, cr Baron Hanmer;

Job;

John;

George Edward;

Henry;

William;

Margaret.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his grandson,

SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet (1809-81), MP, High Sheriff of Flintshire, 1832, who espoused, in 1833, Georgiana, youngest daughter of Sir George Chetwynd Bt, of Grendon Hall, Warwickshire.

Sir John was elevated to the peerage, in 1872, in the dignity of BARON HANMER, of Hanmer, and of Flint, Flintshire.

His lordship died without issue, when the barony expired; the baronetcy, however, devolved upon his brother,

SIR WYNDHAM EDWARD HANMER, 4th Baronet (1810-87).

• Sir Edward John Henry Hanmer, 5th Baronet (1843–1893)
• Sir Wyndham Charles Henry Hanmer, 6th Baronet (1867–1922)
• Sir (Griffin Wyndham) Edward Hanmer, 7th Baronet (1893–1977)
• Sir John Wyndham Edward Hanmer, 8th Baronet (1928–2008)
• Sir Wyndham Richard Guy Hanmer, 9th Baronet (born 1955)

Bettisfield Hall (Image: Shropshire Star)

BETTISFIELD PARK, the former seat of the Hanmer family, is at least of 16th century origin.

It was depicted by Moses Griffith in the 18th century with a symmetrical south front.

The east front was similar, and additional ranges on the west elevation would indicate that it already had a courtyard plan before major extension in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

A new south front was built in the late 18th century, incorporating part of the 16th century house.

In the mid-19th century there were further additions on the east side, including an Italianate tower of the 1840s and a Tudor-style tower with French pavilion roof, plus additions to the north-west elevation.

Demolition of parts of the house began after 1945, mainly comprising the mid 19th century additions and the 16th century portion of the east front.

In 1989 Bettisfield it was sold by the Hanmer family.

In 1989-93 the 18th century section of the house was restored by Cornelia Bayley.

The surviving portion of Bettisfield Park is a substantial Georgian country house of two storeys over a basement, of scribed render over an ashlar plinth, hipped slate roofs behind low parapets on moulded cornices, and brick stacks.

First published in February, 2021.

Princess Royal in NI

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, has received Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in Ballycastle. 

HRH, Patron, Save the Children, visited the store on Ann Street to mark its tenth anniversary.

The High Sheriff of County Antrim, Mr Peter Mackie DL, was also in attendance.

Later Her Royal Highness visited Alexandra Dock, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, officially to reopen the maritime tourist attraction, HMS Caroline.

Abbotstown House

THE BARONS HOLMPATRICK WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 3,647 ACRES

JOHN HAMILTON  (1576-1639), of Coronary, County Cavan, and Hamiltonsbawn, County Armagh, next brother of James Hamilton, created Viscount Claneboye, married, in 1617, Sarah, daughter of Anthony Brabazon, Governor of Connaught, and brother to Edward, Lord Ardee, father of William, 1st Earl of Meath, and had issue,

Hans, Rt Hon Sir, Baronet, MP;
JAMES, of whom we treat;
Francis, of Tullabrack, County Armagh;
Mary.

Mr Hamilton's second son,

JAMES HAMILTON, of Bailieborough, born ca 1610, espoused in 1639, Jane, daughter of the Rt Rev William Bailie, and had issue,

HENRY;
Hans.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his elder son,

HENRY HAMILTON, of Bailieborough, County Cavan, who wedded, before 1685, Rebecca Blackwell, and had issue,

John;
JAMES;
Mary.

Mr Hamilton was killed at Limerick, 1691, and was succeeded by his surviving son,

JAMES HAMILTON (1685-1771), of Bailieborough, County Cavan, MP for Newry, 1723-7, Carlow Borough, 1727-60, who married Anne Hall, and had, with other issue,

Hans;
John;
JAMES.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his surviving son,

JAMES HAMILTON (1727-1800), of Sheepshill, Abbotstown, and HolmPatrick, Deputy Protonotary of the Court of King's Bench, who married thrice.

The eldest son by his first marriage,

HANS HAMILTON (1758-1822), of Sheephill and Holmpatrick, County Dublin, Captain, 5th Dragoons, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1803, MP for County Dublin, 1798-1800, espoused firstly, in 1787, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Lynam, and had issue,

Sarah;
Jane.

He married secondly, Anne, daughter of Hugh Henry Mitchell, and had further issue,

JAMES HANS, his heir;
Frances Caroline; Harriette Augusta.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his only son,

JAMES HANS HAMILTON JP DL (1810-63), High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1832, MP for County Dublin, 1841-63, who wedded, in 1833, Caroline, daughter of John Frederick Trant, and had issue,

Hans James (1835-62);
ION TRANT, his successor.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his surviving son,

THE RT HON ION TRANT HAMILTON JP DL (1839-98), MP for County Dublin, 1863-85, Lord-Lieutenant for County Dublin, 1892-98, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1897, in the dignity of BARON HOLMPATRICK, of Holmpatrick, County Dublin.

His lordship married, in 1877, Victoria Alexandrina, daughter of Major-General Lord Charles Wellesley, and granddaughter of Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington, and had issue,

HANS WELLESLEY, his successor;
Winifred; Margaret Augusta; Georgina; Sybil Evelyn; Clare.

• Hans Wellesley Hamilton, 2nd Baron HolmPatrick DSO MC DL (1886–1942)
• James Hans Hamilton, 3rd Baron HolmPatrick (1928–1991)
• Hans James David Hamilton, 4th Baron HolmPatrick (1955–2024)
• Ion Henry James Hamilton, 5th Baron HolmPatrick (born 1956)

The heir presumptive is his nephew, Ross Andrew James Hamilton (born 1990).

ABBOTSTOWN HOUSE, Castleknock, County Dublin, is a two-storey house, extended at various times, though mainly early to mid-19th century.

It has a five-bay entrance front, the central bay breaking forward with a triple window above a projecting, pilastered porch.

There is a similar side elevation, with a single-storey, pillared bow in lieu of a porch; elongated by a full-height curved bow.

Abbotstown House remained the seat of the HolmPatricks until 1947, when the 3rd Baron lost part of his lands under a Compulsory Purchase Order to allow for the building of a Hospital.

Later, Lord HolmPatrick sold remaining lands at Abbotstown to the Marine Institute of Ireland, which was located at Abbotstown House until 2005, when the house was acquired for Sports Campus Ireland.

In the late 1990s, half of the lands under the ownership of the local health board were sold for development in order to finance the redevelopment of the hospital buildings.

The Holmpatricks owned a further 2,245 acres in the Queen's County, 751 acres in County Down, and 246 acres in County Meath.

First published in December, 2012.