Newbridge House

THE COBBES WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 9,948 ACRES

WILLIAM COBBE, of Steventon, Hampshire, born ca 1450, was father of

JOHN COBBE, of Swarraton (The Grange), who married Army Barnes, and had a son,

THOMAS COBBE, of Swarraton, born ca 1510, living at the time of the Visitation of Hampshire, 1575, when he received from Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King-of-Arms, a ratification of the "armes and chriests of his ancestors."

By his second wife, Agnes, daughter of John Hunt, Thomas Cobbe was father of Richard, BD, Fellow and Vice-President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and one of its earliest benefactors; also of two other sons, joint possessors of the Northington estate, adjoining Swarraton.

By his first wife Margaret, daughter of Edward Beronshaw, Thomas Cobbe had, with other issue,

MICHAEL COBBE (1547-98), of Swarraton, who married Joan, eldest daughter and heiress of George Welborne, of Allington, Dorset, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS COBBE, of Swarraton, 1575, Captain of a foot company, 1634, who married Catherine, daughter of the Ven Owen Owen, Archdeacon of Anglesey and Rector of Burton Latimer, sister of John Owen, Bishop of St Asaph.

By her he had Michael, who married Anne, daughter of Bishop Broomfield, of Titchfield, MP, and had issue, Arthur; Lucy; and

RICHARD COBBE, born in 1607, Knight of the Shire for Hampshire, 1656, who wedded Honor, daughter of Sir Richard Norton Bt, of Rotherfield, and had issue,

THOMAS COBBE, Governor of the Isle of Man, who espoused Veriana, daughter of James Chaloner MP during the Long Parliament, by his wife Ursula, daughter of Sir Philip Fairfax, of Steeton, and had issue,

Richard Chaloner;

William;

CHARLES, of whom presently.

The youngest son,

THE MOST REV AND RT HON DR CHARLES COBBE (1686-1765), successively Lord Bishop of Killala, Dromore, and Kildare, and Lord Archbishop of Dublin, married Dorothea, daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Richard Levinge Bt, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Chief Justice of Common Pleas in Ireland, widow of Sir John Rawdon Bt, of Moira.

The Most Rev Dr Charles Cobbe, Photo Credit: The National Trust

His Grace, who built Newbridge House about 1737, was succeeded by his surviving son,

THOMAS COBBE (1733-98), of Newbridge, MP for Swords, 1759-83, Colonel of Militia, who wedded, in 1751, the Lady Eliza Beresford, daughter of Marcus, 1st Earl of Tyrone, and sister of George, Marquess of Waterford.

By her he had issue (with two daughters), an only son,

CHARLES COBBE (1756-98), of Newbridge, MP for Swords, 1783-90 and 1798, who married Anne Power Trench, sister of William, 1st Earl of Clancarty, and had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;

George, General in the army;

Henry, Vicar of Templeton;

Thomas Alexander, East India Company;

William Power, Captain RN.

The eldest son,

CHARLES COBBE JP DL (1781-1857), of Newbridge, High Sheriff, 1821, espoused, in 1809, Frances, only daughter of Captain Thomas Conway, of Morden Park, Surrey, and had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
Thomas, Barrister; father of LEURIC CHARLES;
William;
Henry (Rev), Rector of Maulden;
Frances Power.

Mr Cobbe was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES COBBE JP DL (1811-86), of Newbridge, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1841, County Louth, 1867, who married firstly, in 1839, Louisa Caroline, daughter of George Frederick Brooke, of Summerton, County Dublin; and secondly, in 1883, Charlotte, daughter of the Rev Henry Moore, of Julianstown Rectory, County Meath.

He was succeeded by his nephew,

LEURIC CHARLES COBBE (1859-97), of Newbridge, who espoused, in 1881, Edith Corrine, and had issue,

THOMAS MABERLEY, his heir;
Charles Conway Grahame;
Janet Corrine; Vereana Estelle Beresford.

Mr Cobbe was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS MABERLEY COBBE (1884-1914), of Newbridge, who married, in 1905, Eleanor Colville, second daughter of Colonel Colville Frankland, and had issue,

THOMAS LEURIC;
Francis Charles (1913-49).

Mr Cobbe was succeeded by his elder son,

THOMAS LEURIC COBBE (1912-84), of Newbridge.

NEWBRIDGE HOUSE, near Donabate, County Dublin, was built ca 1737 by Richard Castle for Dr Charles Cobbe, later Lord Archbishop of Dublin.

It consists of two storeys over a high basement.

The ashlar entrance front is of six bays, with a tripartite, pedimented door-case.

There is a broad flight of steps up to the hall door; while the solid roof parapet has urns, with eagles at the corners (not swans!).

Shortly after the Archbishop's death in 1765 his son, Colonel Thomas Cobbe MP, whose wife was Lady Elizabeth Beresford, added an enormous drawing-room and a picture gallery to hold the extensive collection of Old Master paintings.

This room, forty-five feet long, was given a Rococco ceiling.

In the Red Drawing Room, added by them, they lavishly entertained and hung many of their superb pictures, purchased on their behalf by the incumbent of Donabate Church, the Rev Matthew Pilkington, who was well qualified to buy on their behalf, as it was he who composed the first major English Dictionary of Painters.

Their eldest son Charles died in 1770, and the eldest grandson, also Charles, became heir apparent.

He joined the army, served in India and returned to Bath in 1805.

Four years later he married Frances Conway and immediately went to live at Newbridge where he carried out much refurbishing with the aid of his wife's wealth.

It appears that, during the family's absence in Bath, the estate had become run down. Charles' considerable energies were used to build it up again.

He threw down the "wretched mud cabins" occupied by his tenants and built new houses on his estate which were paid for be the sale of some of the family's most prized paintings, viz. The Gastor Poussin and a Hobbema.

In the 1830s, Mr Cobbe sold the finest picture in his collection, a large landscape, in order to rebuild the houses on their mountain estates. It fetched £3,000 at auction, about £300,000 in today's money.

Charles Cobbe died in 1857 and was succeeded by his son, another Charles.

He, in turn died in 1886 leaving no male issue - his estate passing to his wife for her lifetime.

Prior to her death she had persuaded Thomas Maberley Cobbe, a grandnephew of her late husband, to return to Newbridge from America to take over the estate.

He died young in 1914 leaving two infant children, Thomas and Francis, the latter dying in 1949.

Thomas did not marry and on his death, in 1985, he was succeeded by Francis's family, Hugh, Alec and Mary.

*****

IN 1986, Newbridge, complete with many of the original contents on loan, passed from the Cobbe family to Dublin County Council.

The Cobbe family continue to reside at Newbridge House from time to time, due to a unique arrangement which had been entered into between the family and the Council.

The family have use of what had been their dining-room for entertaining; and they can stay upstairs in their own bedrooms.

On display in the coach-house is the magnificent state coach made in London, in 1790, for John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and a relation of the Cobbes.

The coach had been painted black until restored by the Irish National Museum to its former golden magnificence ~ even the fresco panels had been painted out, probably for the funeral of Queen Victoria.

First published in April, 2011. 

1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos

DUKEDOM OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS

1822-1889

The family of GRENVILLE, of Wotton, Buckinghamshire, was a younger branch of the Grenvilles, or Granvilles, of Devon, whose descent from Rollo, 1st Duke of Normandy, is recited and acknowledged in a warrant from CHARLES II to John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath, authorizing him to use the titles of Earl of Corboile, Thorigny, and Granville, which had been borne by his ancestor, Richard de Grenville, who died after 1142.

RICHARD GRENVILLE (1678-1727), of Wotton, married, in 1710, Hester, eldest daughter of Sir Richard Temple Bt, of Stowe, Buckinghamshire, and sister of Richard, Viscount Cobham.

On the death of her said brother, this lady, pursuant to an especial limitation in his patent of creation, became Viscountess Cobham, to her and her heirs male.

Her ladyship was further advanced, in 1749, to the dignity of COUNTESS TEMPLE OF STOWE.

The issue of Lady Temple and Richard Grenville were,

RICHARD, her successor;
GEORGE;
William Wyndham;
James;
Henry.

Her ladyship died in 1752, and was succeeded by her eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl (1711-79), KG, who wedded Anne, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Chambers, of Hanworth, Middlesex, and had an only child, ELIZABETH, who died in 1742, aged four.

2nd Earl Temple of Stowe (Image: National Portrait Gallery)

His lordship was succeeded by his nephew,

GEORGE, 3rd Earl (1753-1813), KG, KP, who obtained the royal sign manual, 1779, authorizing him to take the names of NUGENT and TEMPLE before that of GRENVILLE, and to sign the name of Nugent before before all titles of honour.

His lordship was created Marquess of Buckingham in 1784.

He married, in 1775, the Lady Mary Nugent, daughter of the 1st Earl Nugent, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
George;
Mary.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

RICHARD, 2nd Marquess (1776-1839), KG, who wedded, in 1796, the Lady Anne Brydges, daughter of James, 3rd and last DUKE OF CHANDOS.

His lordship was created, in 1822, Marquess of Chandos and DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.

His Grace was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD, 2nd Duke (1797-1861), KG, GCH, who wedded, in 1819, the Lady Mary, daughter of the 1st Marquess of Breadalbane, and had issue, with a daughter, a son and successor,

RICHARD, 3rd Duke (1823-89), GCSI, who married firstly, in 1851, Caroline, daughter of Robert Harvey, and had issue,

MARY, 11th Lady Kinloss;
Anne; Caroline Jemima.

His Grace espoused secondly, in 1885, Alice, daughter of Sir Graham Graham-Montgomery Bt; the marriage, however, was without issue.

3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos GCSI
(Image: Buckinghamshire County Council)

The titles expired in 1889, on the decease of the 3rd and last Duke.

Former seat ~ Stowe House, Buckinghamshire.

First published in July, 2017. 

Armagh: I

In May, 2013, I spent a memorable day in the primatial city of Armagh.

This was my first visit to the ecclesiastical capital for a number of years.

Incidentally, I urge readers to pay this beautiful, compact city a visit.

It is utterly fascinating.

I motored in a south-westerly direction and, given that it was such a fine day, kept the hood down the entire way.

I parked at The Mall, where my first port-of-call was the County Museum, a fairly modest establishment, though of considerable interest.

On the first floor many items were on display, including various uniforms and costumes.

One example (above) was the scarlet tunic and breeches ~ court dress ~ as worn by the 5th Earl of Caledon when he was a page-boy to EDWARD VII at His Majesty's coronation.

THENCE I admired the prospect from The Mall, which I crossed, ambling along several streets before I reached the old market-place, en route to Armagh (Anglican) Cathedral, on the hill.

This is a relatively small cathedral, certainly in comparison with its counterparts in England; though it is a veritable treasure-trove of ancient relics, statuary and stained-glass inside.

There are memorial plaques to many of the old county families, including LORD ARMAGHDALE, SIR THOMAS MOLYNEUX Bt (below), of Castle Dillon, and the BLACKERS OF CARRICKBLACKER.

I hadn't been aware of the Cathedral Gardens, which I walked through.

The new See House (above) replaced a residence of ca 1973.

It was built in 2011 as the official residence of the anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

The last archbishop to live at ARMAGH PALACE (now council offices) was the Most Rev Dr George Otto Simms.

First published in May, 2013.

Dunmore House

THE McCLINTOCKS OF DUNMORE OWNED 1,977 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

This is a branch of an old Scottish family, established in Ireland for upwards of nearly four centuries.

ALEXANDER McCLINTOCK, the first of the family who settled in Ireland, purchased the Rathdonnell estates County Donegal, 1597, and devised them to his only son and heir,

ALEXANDER McCLINTOCK (1622-70), of Trinta, County Donegal, who wedded, in 1648, Agnes Stenson, daughter of Donald Maclean, and had issue,

JOHN, of Trinta, ancestor of the BARONS RATHDONNELL;
WILLIAM, of whom we treat.

The younger son,

WILLIAM McCLINTOCK (1657-1724), of Dunmore, County Donegal, wedded, in 1685, Elizabeth, only daughter of David Harvey, of Dunmore, County Donegal, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Mary; Elizabeth (m 1st EARL OF CALEDON);
Margaret; Jane.

The son and heir,

JOHN McCLINTOCK, of Dunmore, held the commissions of Captain in the Militia of Donegal Militia and Tyrone, bearing date respectively of 27 and 30 December, 1745.

Captain McClintock espoused, in 1728, Rebecca, daughter of Robert McCausland, of Fruit Hill (Drenagh), County Londonderry, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
William;
Hannah; Lydia; Elizabeth; Jane.

The eldest son,

ROBERT McCLINTOCK JP, of Dunmore, Captain, Donegal and Tyrone Militias, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1759, Donegal, 1764, married, in 1760, Alice, daughter and heiress of Andrew Patton, of Springfield, County Donegal, and had issue,

John, died unmarried;
Andrew (Rev), Rector of Kanturk and Newmarket;
WILLIAM, of whom presently;
Thomas;
Alicia Anne.

The third son,

WILLIAM McCLINTOCK (1773-1825), wedded, in 1802, Catherine, daughter and heiress of Benjamin Ramage, of Cloghole, County Londonderry, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Benjamin;
Margaret.

The eldest son,

ROBERT McCLINTOCK JP DL (1804-59), High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1835, espoused, in 1833, Margaret, third daughter of Robert Macan, of Ballynahome House, County Armagh, and had issue,

ROBERT, late of Dunmore;
WILLIAM, of whom hereafter;
Benjamin;
Charles;
Letitia; Alice; Margaret Elizabeth; Emma; Anna Mary; Isabel.

The eldest son,

ROBERT McCLINTOCK JP DL (1838-99), of Dunmore, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1878, married, in 1881, Jessie Macleod, daughter of C W W Alexander, and had issue,

Hilda Margaret; Vera; Madeline (twin with Vera).

Mr McClintock died without male issue, and was succeeded by his next brother,

WILLIAM McCLINTOCK JP (1841-), of Dunmore, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1903, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Artillery, Superintendent, Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills, 1892-4, wedded firstly, in 1873, Elizabeth Esther, daughter of Samuel Lyle, of Oaks Lodge, Londonderry, and had issue,

ROBERT LYLE.

He espoused secondly, in 1877, Isabella, fourth daughter of George FitzMaurice.

Colonel McClintock's son and heir,

ROBERT LYLE McCLINTOCK CMG DSO (1874-1943), Captain and Brevet Major, Royal Engineers, married, in 1908, Jennie Margaret, daughter of Sir George Casson Walker KCSI.

Robert and Jennie had one son, Lieutenant William McClintock, Royal Artillery, born in 1913 who was paralysed in a riding accident in the 1930s.

Tragically Jennie shot William dead in the walled garden at Dunmore and then shot herself.

When William's fiancée, Helen Macworth, came upon the bodies, she too shot herself.

Colonel Robert McClintock died in 1943 and with him the male line of this branch died out.

DUNMORE HOUSE, near Carrigans, County Donegal, is said to have been built in 1742.

It is aptly described by Mark Bence-Jones in Burke’s Guide to Country Houses, 1978, as

A gable-ended, mid- 18th century house which Dr Craig considers may be by Michael Priestly. 

Two- storey, with an attic lit by windows in the gable ends, five-bay front with central venetian window above tripartite doorway later obscured by a porch. Lower two-storey wing added later. 

Staircase extending into central projection at the back of house.

Following Robert McClintock's death in 1943, Dunmore was sold to Sir Basil McFarland Bt.

Sir Basil's son, Sir John, the 3rd and present Baronet, continues to live at Dunmore with his family.

Amelia McFarland manages the Gardens for weddings and other functions.

First published in April, 2020.

WILLIAM III at Lisburn

KING WILLIAM III's PROGRESS TO THE BOYNE

SECOND STAGE: BELFAST TO LISBURN

After breakfasting at Belfast, His Majesty resumed his advance towards the Boyne; but about two miles on his way to Lisnagarvey (Lisburn) he was overtaken by a heavy shower of rain.

Observing some very large trees near the road, a short distance within the avenue-gate of "Cranmore," the King, with the habit of an old campaigner, took shelter under one of them.

Cranmore House in 1888 (Image: W A Green)

Mr Eccles, however, the gentleman who at that time resided at the place, requested the King and his staff to honour him by making use of his house.

The invitation was accepted, and His Majesty partook of some refreshment; some barrels of home-brewed ale being sent to such of the escort as remained under the trees.

Cranmore House passed from John Eccles to his grandson, Captain Jones; and then to another grandson, Benjamin Legge, of Malone, whose grandson, John Templeton, inherited the property. Following John Templeton's death, the house passed to his son and four daughters. It was subsequently inhabited by Michael McGovern.

The Eccles family came from Ayrshire. Gilbert Eccles (1602-94) was high sheriff of counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. His son was John Eccles (1632-1705); whose only son, Sir John Eccles (1664-1727) served the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin.

As the rain continued without abating, and the King was suffering from severe headache, he consented to repose himself for some hours; after which, as the weather improved towards evening, he resumed his march.

The said house became known as "Orange Grove," a name very probably given to it soon after the King's visit.

The tree which sheltered the King was long an object of interest to his admirers: it was blown down, however, during a violent storm in 1796, the same which dispersed the French fleet off Bantry Bay.

As the King passed through the village of Lambeg, near Lisburn, he was addressed in French by René Bulmer (Boomer), a Huguenot.

Lambeg House (Image: Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum)

The King stopped at Lambeg House, then belonging to the Wolfendens, later the property of Mr Richard Niven.

It was necessary to cross the River Lagan at this part by an ancient ford, and here one of the wagons broke down, which caused some delay.

It was repaired with timber furnished from the neighbouring manufactory of Mr Wolfenden.

There is an entry on record in the Vestry Book of Lisburn Cathedral, stating that His Majesty King William III and army marched through that town in 1690, and encamped at Blaris, on his way to the Boyne; but did not stop there, as he proceeded to Hillsborough.

The army encamped on Blaris Moor, on the part which is now intersected by the road to Dublin; and the place where the cavalry were stationed from this circumstance retains the name of "Trooper Field."

Extracts have been taken from the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Volume One. 

Castle Bernard

THE EARLS OF BANDON WERE THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CORK, WITH 40,941 ACRES

The house of BERNARD, Earls of Bandon, derives, according to Thomas Hawley, Norroy King of Arms, from SIR THEOPHILUS, a valiant knight of German descent who, in 1066, accompanied WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR into England.

This Theophilus was son of Sir Egerette, and father of

SIR DORBARD BERNARD, the first of his family surnamed BERNARD.

His descendants settled at Acornbank in Westmorland, and in the counties of Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.

Among these we find Robert FitzBernard, who accompanied HENRY II to Ireland, and who, on the King's departure, had Wexford and Waterford committed to his custody.

SIR FRANCIS BERNARD, of Acornbank (the lineal descendant of Sir Dorbard), married Hannah, daughter of Sir John Pilkington, and was grandfather of

SIR HENRY BERNARD, Knight, who married Anne, daughter of Sir John Dawson, of Westmorland, and had four sons, ROBERT, William, Francis, and Charles.

FRANCIS BERNARD, the third son, settled in Ireland during ELIZABETH I's reign and purchased considerable estates.

He died leaving issue, besides two daughters, a son, 

FRANCIS BERNARD, Lord of the Manor of Castle Mahon, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur Freke, of Rathbarry Castle (ancestor of Lord Carbery).

Mr Bernard was killed while defending his castle from an attack of the rebel forces, and left issue (with four daughters, all married), two sons,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Arthur, born in 1666.

The elder son,

FRANCIS BERNARD (1663-1731), was attainted by JAMES II’s parliament, but was restored to his estates by WILLIAM and MARY.

He was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland by QUEEN ANNE, Prime Sergeant, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

Mr Bernard represented Bandon and Clonakilty in parliament.

He wedded, in 1697, Alice, daughter of Stephen Ludlow, ancestor of the Earls Ludlow, and grandson of Sir Henry Ludlow, of Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire (whose eldest son was the famous General Ludlow), by whom he left at his decease,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Stephen, of Prospect Hall;
North Ludlow, father of JAMES BERNARD;
Arthur;
William;
John;
Elizabeth, m 3rd Viscount Charlemont.

The eldest son,

FRANCIS BERNARD (1698-1783), of Castle Bernard, and Bassingbourne Hall, Essex, MP for Clonakilty, 1725-60, Bandonbridge, 1766-76,  espoused, in 1722, the Lady Anne Petty, only daughter of Henry, Earl of Shelburne; but died without surviving issue, when he was succeeded by his nephew,

JAMES BERNARD (1729-90), of Castle Bernard, son of North Ludlow Bernard, MP for County Cork, 1781-90, who married, in 1752, Esther, daughter of Percy Smyth, and heiress of her brother, William Smyth, of Headborough, and widow of Robert Gookin, and had issue,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Rose; Esther; Mary; Charlotte; Elizabeth.

The only son,

FRANCIS BERNARD (1755-1830), MP for Ennis, 1778-83, Bandonbridge, 1783-90, was elevated to the peerage, in 1793, in the dignity of Baron Bandon; and advanced to a viscountcy, in 1795, as Viscount Bandon.

His lordship was further advanced, in 1800, to the dignities of Viscount Bernard and EARL OF BANDON.

He wedded, in 1784, Catherine Henrietta, only daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl of Shannon, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
Richard Boyle (Very Rev), Dean of Leighlin;
Francis;
William Smyth;
Henry Boyle;
Charles Ludlow;
Catherine Henrietta; Charlotte Esther; Louisa Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES, 2nd Earl (1785-1856), who married, in 1809, Mary Susan Albinia, eldest daughter of the Hon and Most Rev Dr Charles Brodrick, Lord Archbishop of Cashel, and had issue,

FRANCIS, his successor;
Charles Brodrick;
Henry Boyle;
Catherine Henrietta.

• Francis, 1st Earl (1755–1830)
• James, 2nd Earl (1785–1856)
• Francis, 3rd Earl (1810-77)
• James Francis, 4th Earl (1850–1924)
• Percy Ronald Gardner, 5th and last Earl (1904-79).

The 4th Earl was the last Lord-Lieutenant of County Cork, from 1877 until 1922.

CASTLE BERNARD, near Bandon, County Cork, was re-modelled by Francis Bernard, 1st Viscount Bandon and afterwards 1st Earl of Bandon.

He pulled down the two early 18th century fronts in 1798 and began building a new house alongside the old O'Mahony castle, which was joined by a corridor.

It was of two storeys with a nine-bay entrance front overlooking the River Bandon; and a garden front of three bays on either side of a deep curved central bow. 

It was altered and enlarged in Gothic style in the mid-19th century.

Castle Bernard became known as one of the most hospitable houses in Ireland and the house parties held by the 4th Earl and Countess were said to have been legendary.

In an early morning raid on the 21st June, 1921, an IRA gang, under Sean Hales, called at the Castle.

They intended to kidnap Lord Bandon, but "Buckshot" Bandon and his staff had taken refuge in the cellars.

Apparently disappointed in the first object of their call, the IRA decided to burn the house.

Hales was heard to say, "well the bird has flown, so we'll burn the nest."

At that, Lord Bandon and his party appeared from the cellars but it was too late, the fire had started. 

Ironically the IRA carefully took out all the furniture and piled it on the lawn before setting the building on fire.

Lady Bandon had to sit and watch the flames for some hours.

When the flames were at their height, she suddenly stood up in her nightgown and sang God Save the King as loudly as possible, which disconcerted the incendiaries, but while they may not have stood to attention, they let her have her say and did nothing about it.

Lord Bandon was then kidnapped by a local IRA gang and held hostage for three weeks, being released on 12th July.

The IRA threatened to have him executed if the authorities went ahead with executing IRA prisoners of war.

During his captivity, Bandon coolly played cards with his captors, who treated him well.

Tom Barry later stated he believed the kidnapping helped move HM Government towards the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and the cessation of hostilities.

The elderly Lord Bandon never recovered from the experience and died in 1924.

Some years later, when the last of the IRA burning party died, the 4th Earl was asked to go to the funeral, which he did - in full funeral attire of top hat and morning coat.

Castle Bernard continued to be the home of the 5th Earl and Countess: they built a small house within the Castle boundary walls.

The 5th Earl died in 1979 and, as he had no heir, the titles became extinct.

Lady Bandon died in 1999, aged 102. 

Lady Jennifer Bernard, who inherited the property, lived on the grounds of the castle until she died in 2010.

A modern house was built a short distance from the ruin by the 5th Earl in the 1960s and the uncontrolled growth of trees and ivy gives the building its romantic character. 

There is a huge high window in the curved stairwell which would have been a magnificent feature in its day.

Above the grand doorway and grass covered steps are a fine carved crest and standards. 

Several of the attractive stone window frames are still more or less intact which adds to the appeal of this splendid ruin.

Percy, 5th Earl, GBE CB CVO DSO, Air Chief Marshal, was one of the most senior officers in the RAF. 

In his retirement the 5th Earl discovered the pleasures of fishing, particularly in the River Bandon which was well stocked with salmon, and in shooting, snipe and woodcock found in large numbers near Castle Bernard.

He was also developing an enthusiastic skill as a gardener with a particular knowledge of rhododendrons.

The 5th Earl died on 8 February 1979 at Bon Secours Hospital in County Cork aged 74 and without male issue.

Consequently on his death all the titles became extinct.

He was survived by Lois, Lady Bandon and the two daughters from his first marriage, Lady Jennifer Jane Bernard, of Castle Bernard (b 1935) and Lady Frances Elizabeth Bernard (b 1943).

A portrait in oils (painted 1969) of Lord Bandon, in his uniform as an Air Chief Marshal together with his robes as a peer of the realm, hangs in the main dining hall at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.

First published in August, 2011. 

Richmond Lodge

Richmond ca 1832, by E K Proctor

RICHMOND LODGE, Knocknagoney, County Down, was a large, two-storey, late Georgian residence.

It had octagonal bays at either end and a central porch.

The house stood in its own grounds comprising 24 acres, close to the location of the present Knocknagoney housing estate.

It was said to have been built ca 1798. 

The first known occupant of Richmond Lodge was FRANCIS TURNLY (1765-1845), son of Francis Turnly JP, of Downpatrick, County Down, who had leased it or the land from David McCANCE about 1800.

Turnly lived at Richmond Lodge in 1824.

The family also owned ROCKPORT HOUSE.

A Drawing of Richmond Lodge by the Rev J McConnell Auld MA

Richmond Lodge remained with the Dunvilles until 1874, when John Dunville's son William died and it was sold to James Kennedy, who began a number of improvements, including a new avenue approach about 100 yards south of the original main entrance.

By 1902, Richmond Lodge had become the home of the RT HON WILLIAM HENRY HOLMES LYONS JP DL (1843-1924).

First published in June, 2013.

Glanomera House

THE ARTHURS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 10,534 ACRES

The Arthurs are stated to have been originally 'Artureighs', and to derive their descent from a common ancestor with the O'Briens, viz. Cormac Cas, King of Munster. The name, it is further asserted, was anglicised, in common with many others, on the invasion of Ireland by HENRY II, who is stated to have conferred honours and grants of land on one of that name in 1178.

In the records of Limerick, the name of ARTHUR frequently occurs from the earliest period down to the time of CHARLES I, when the family estates in County Limerick were confiscated by the usurper CROMWELL for loyalty to the royal cause.

The Arthurs subsequently removed to County Clare, and became seated at Glenomera. On the municipal roll of the city of Limerick are given the names of no less than forty-eight ARTHURS as mayors etc of that city.

From John Arthur, Mayor of Limerick in 1340, and Sir Dominick Arthur, also Mayor of that city, we pass to Sir Nicholas Arthur, Knight, Mayor in 1591.

Thomas Arthur was Bishop of Limerick in 1470; Richard Arthur was RC Bishop, 1643.

The Rev Geoffrey Arthur, of the Church of Rome, Treasurer of Limerick Cathedral, died in 1519, and was buried there, where his monument, with a curious Latin inscription, may still be seen.

Edward Arthur was MP for the city of Limerick, 1599; and Thomas Arthur, MP in 1585.

THOMAS ARTHUR, of Glanomera, son of Piers Arthur, wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Butler, heiress of the BUTLERS of Kilmoyler, County Tipperary, descended from the 9th Earl of Ormonde and the 11th Earl of Desmond; and was father of

THOMAS ARTHUR DL, of Glanomera, who wedded Lucy, fourth daughter of Sir Edward O'Brien Bt, of Dromoland, and left by her at his decease, 1803 (with a daughter, Mary), an only son and successor, 

THOMAS ARTHUR DL (1778-1845), of Glanomera, who espoused, in 1803, Harriet, second daughter and co-heir (with her only sister, Charlotte, wife of Sir Edward O'Brien Bt, of Dromoland) of William Smith, of Cahermoyle, County Limerick, and had (with nine daughters) seven sons,

THOMAS, his heir;
William Smith;
LUCIUS (Rev);
Edward;
Augustus;
Henry;
Frederick Brian Boru (Rev).

Mr Arthur was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS ARTHUR (1806-84),  of Glanomera, who wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Butler, of Kilmoyler, descended from Piers, seventh son of James, 9th Earl of Ormonde.

He was succeeded by his brother,

THE REV LUCIUS ARTHUR (1810-87), of Glanomera, who married, in 1840, Caroline Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of John Haycock Jervis, of Moseley, Warwickshire, and had issue,

THOMAS LUCIUS JERVIS, his heir;
Edward Henry Frederick;
Charles William Augustus;
Harriet Elizabeth Augusta; Ellen Lucy Julia; Maria Anne Florence;
Charlotte Katherine Susan; Grace Caroline Frances.

The eldest son,

THOMAS LUCIUS JERVIS ARTHUR JP (1847-88), of Glanomera, Captain, 6th R V Regiment, married, in 1881, Constance Helen, daughter of William Steele Studdert, of Clonboy, County Clare, by Constance his wife, daughter of Robert George Massy, and had issue,

CHARLES WILLIAM AUGUSTUS, his heir;
Desmond Phelps Pery Lucius Studdert, b 1884.

His elder son, 

CHARLES WILLIAM AUGUSTUS ARTHUR (1882-), of Glanomera, County Clare, wedded, in 1904, Rose Violet, daughter of John Joseph Roche-Kelly, of Rockstown Castle and Islandmore, County Limerick, and had issue,

Charles Augustus, died in infancy;
LUCIUS, of whom hereafter.

His second son, 

LUCIUS ARTHUR, born in 1913, was the grandfather of the surviving members of that line.

Photo Credit: Limerick City Museum; © Michael Kelly; Paul Kelly

GLANOMERA HOUSE, County Clare, was burnt in 1905.

Select Bibliography: Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1912, page 15.   First published in March, 2013.

McCorkell of Ballyarnett

The family of McCORKELL springs from the Clan McCorquodale, in Scotland, as indicated by the armorial bearings. The Clan McCorquodale's traditional lands where west of Loch Awe, Argyllshire, and the Barons McCorquodale were the clan chiefs. The clans MacLeod of the Lewis and Gunn claim variations of this surname as septs of theirs.

ARCHIBALD McKORKLE or McCORKLE, of East Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, born in 1676, married, in 1698, Marrion Findlay, and had issue,

ARCHIBALD McCORKLE, of Wester Common, Glasgow, born in 1698, who wedded, in 1726, Elizabeth Millar, and had issue,

Archibald;
John;
James;
WILLIAM, of whom hereafter;
Marion.

The fourth son,

WILLIAM McCORKLE (1728-95), of Dunbartonshire, settled in Ulster and married Margaret, daughter of Councillor Gybson [sic], of Coshquin, and had issue, 

WILLIAM, his heir;
Archibald;
Jane; Eliza; Margaret.

He changed the spelling of his surname to McCORKELL.

Mr McCorkell founded William McCorkell & Company in Derry, 1778, which operated the McCorkell Line (Shipping), principally carrying passengers from Ireland, Scotland and England to the Americas.

Notably the McCorkell Line carried many emigrants who were fleeing the Irish Famine, 1845–50.

They sailed some of the most prominent ships of the Western Ocean Ticket, and their most famous ship was the ‘Minnehaha’, named from the William Longfellow poem ‘The Song of Hiawatha’, and known as the ‘Green Yacht from Derry’.

He was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM McCORKELL (1772-1836), of Elagh, County Donegal, Chairman, William McCorkell & Company, who wedded, in 1799 (at St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry), Jane, daughter of ________  Corscadden, of County Donegal, and had issue,

Arthur;
James;
Marcus;
Archibald, of Glengalliagh, High Sheriff of Co Derry, 1836; father of MAJOR HENRY J McCORKELL DL, High Sheriff of co Derry, 1902;
BARTHOLOMEW, of whom we treat;
William;
Fanny; Margaret; Jane.

The only surviving son,

BARTHOLOMEW McCORKELL JP (1805-87), of RICHMOND HOUSE, Derry, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1878, married, in 1843, Frances, third daughter of David Browne, of Ballyarnett, County Londonderry, and had issue,

DAVID BROWNE, his heir;
William Foster (1849-65);
Bartholomew Herbert, High Sheriff of Co Londonderry, 1894;
James Browne;
Jane Augusta; Margaret Fitzgerald; Annie Kincaid;
Fannie Evelyn, OBE; Mary Elizabeth; Ada Langley.

Bartholomew McCorkell JP (Image: Derry & Strabane District Council)

Mr McCorkell, Alderman of the Londonderry Corporation, 1847, Mayor of Londonderry, 1859–62, First President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of. Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners for 31 years. He was Chairman, 1871-72, Wm McCorkell & Co Ltd, Committee Derry Races (Ballyarnett Racecourse).

The eldest son,

DAVID BROWNE McCORKELL JP DL (1845-97), of Ballyarnett, County Londonderry (to which he succeeded on the death of his uncle, James Browne, in 1881), Barrister-at-law, Crown Prosecutor of County Tyrone, Honorary Secretary, Derry and Strabane Hunt Steeplechases (Ballyarnett Racecourse), wedded, in 1882, Evelyn Georgina Harriet, eldest daughter of Thomas Samuel Pakenham JP, of Glen Oak, County Antrim, and had issue,

Dudley Evelyn Bruce (Sir), Knight, MBE JP DL, of Ballyarnett;
BARRY FRANCIS, of whom hereafter;
Doris Marie, of Wren Cottage, Culmore.

The younger son,

BARRY FRANCIS McCORKELL DL (1889-1957), of Templeard, Culmore, County Londonderry, married, in 1918, Eileen Mary, elder daughter of Sir Francis Henry Miller, of Hinton, Londonderry (Mayor of Londonderry, 1901–2), and had issue,

Barry Henry;
MICHAEL WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Patrick Evelyn (Major), TD DL, High Sheriff of Co Londonderry, 1970; m daughter of EDR Shearer.

Mr McCorkell, Captain, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Managing Director, Alex Wilson & Co, Director, William McCorkell & Co, Chairman, Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, Chairman, Londonderry Gaslight Company, was succeeded by his second son,

COLONEL SIR MICHAEL WILLIAM McCORKELL KCVO OBE TD JP (1925-2006), of Ballyarnett, County Londonderry, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, 1975-2000, who married, in 1950, Aileen Allen, OBE, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Brabazon Booth DSO, of Darver Castle, Dundalk, County Louth, and had issue,

John Barry Ernest, b 1952; of Clanmurry House, Dromore, Co Down; High Sheriff of Co Derry, 1986;
DAVID WILLIAM, of whom hereafter;
Barry Michael, b 1959;
Mary Aileen, b 1951.

The second son,

DAVID WILLIAM McCORKELL (1955-),  married, in 1981, Susan Mary, daughter of  Desmond MacLellan Goodbody, of Clara, County Offaly, and has issue,

CHRISTOPHER DESMOND WILLIAM, b 1988; Member, Royal Company of Archers, 2019;
Camilla Charlotte Elizabeth, b 1986.

Mr McCorkell was appointed Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim in June, 2019; Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards, Order of St John, in 2021; Chairman, NI Association of Lord-Lieutenants, 2022.

BALLYARNETT HOUSE, Londonderry, is a late-Victorian, Arts & Crafts red-brick house comprising two storeys.

Ballyarnett House (Image: McCorkell Family/ BBC)

A notable feature is the lofty, Tudoresque chimneys.

The site of the present house was originally occupied by a house belonging to James Browne.

First published in August, 2019.

Tollymore Park Revisited

The Jocelyn Obelisk (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

THIS SACRED MONUMENT WAS PLACED

TO THEE, THOU DARLING BOY

WHOSE LOVE AND DUTY NEVER CEASED

TO GIVE THY PARENT JOY

HIS CARE RELIVED THINE INFANT WANTS

HE WATCHED THY RIPENING AGE

HOPE, THAT RELIGION ONLY GRANTS

HIS SORROW CAN ASSUAGE.

Thus eulogised Robert, 2ND EARL OF RODEN, KP, in loving memory of his second son, the Hon James Bligh Jocelyn RN, who died in 1812, aged 23, from an attack of asthma whilst serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy at Malta.

Slate Panel (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

A noble and elegant obelisk, erected between 1815-20, is located on top of a gentle hill in TOLLYMORE PARK, County Down.

The monument was conspicuously visible from the mansion house, where the main car park now stands.

The monument is made of Mourne granite on a stepped base, and each of the four faces contains an inscribed slate panel, one of which is inscribed in Latin; the others in the form of a poignant eulogy, names and dates.

Sweeping Lawn in front of the Site of Tollymore Park House (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

TODAY, the 18th July, 2021, I visited the superb former demesne of Tollymore Park, County Down.

I've been to Northern Ireland's finest forest park many, many times throughout my life.

It is always an absolute joy to visit this most beautiful park, probably the greatest of its kind in Northern Ireland and, doubtless, one of the loveliest in the kingdom.

Tollymore is located in the parish of Kilcoo, barony of Upper Iveagh, County Down, on the river Shimna, at the north-west base of Slieve Donard, adjacent to the south side of the village of Bryansford.

In the 19th century, Mr and Mrs Hall remarked: 

"It is situated in the midst of most sublime scenery, with the wide expanse of ocean open before it; yet nowhere do the trees grow with greater luxuriance."

"Through this delicious spot rush the assembled mountain rivulets, creating in their passage cascades of every variety of force and form."

"It is scarcely possible to imagine a scene where natural beauties and advantages have been turned to more valuable account by judgment, skill, and taste, than this which lies at the foot of Slieve Donard, and almost on the brink of the ocean."

Most of the original buildings and features in the park date from the 18th century, when the demesne was developed by the EARL OF CLANBRASSILL.

The main features include the Clanbrassill Barn, with its clock, tower, and spire, which appears ecclesiastical in style; quaint little bridges; a sort of grotto or cavern; stepping-stones, and so on.

Old Map on Tollymore Park Notice-Board (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

On a fine day the beauty and captivation of this park is unsurpassed, with the back-drop of the Mourne Mountains, forest trees, red squirrels, and wildlife.

Mr Atkinson, ca 1849, enthuses thus:-

"Entering the grand gate we proceeded by a row of excellent offices, with a tower, clock, and spire, to inspect the demesne."

"The lofty mountains of Mourne, with Slieve Donard in the rear of this grand group, and an extensive green mountain, richly planted, that skirts the lawn, bear full upon your view as you enter the grand gate."

"In your descent from this gate to the lawn, you not only pass by the spire and offices attached to the house, but also a small pleasure garden; and after moving twenty or thirty paces towards the lawn, a landscape inconceivably grand presents itself."

"In your approach through the gate, you are entertained with a grand mountain view through a defile; but here, to the majesty of the Mourne Mountains, which overhang the landscape in front, and the planted mountain of more modest altitude that bounds the lawn, with a most interesting cottage on its declivity, are added the variegated beauties of an open country, and the entire rich and picturesque group of features that characterize the home view."

"Among the former may be included, as of prime importance to the general scene, the Irish Channel on the left-hand, with Felix Magennis's famous castle on the seashore."

"Among the latter, the woody hills and glens of the demesne, extending to the right in front of the lawn; the interesting cottage on the declivity of the planted mountain; and on the lawn itself, a beautiful monument erected to the memory of the Hon James Jocelyn RN, second son of the late Earl of Roden."

"Tullamore Park is reputed to contain 1,200 Irish acres; and we may truly say that such a combination of wood and water, of lofty mountains with lowly valleys, and of all which is necessary to fill the vastness of the imagination with an impression of the grandeur and beauty of a perfect scene, we have seldom witnessed in our travels through this country."

Clearing with an Old Shed (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

I walked along one of trails, a journey lasting perhaps ninety minutes or so, and eventually reached a clearing, where there was an old shed.

Playing Marbles at the Old Saw-Mill (Image: Robert John Welch)

Could this clearing have been the site of the saw-mill? What, dear reader, do you think?

En route back to the car-park, and adjacent to the river Shimna, I passed a granite stone with an earl's coronet, surmounted by the letter "R", with the inscription "River Drive 1868."

I imagined members of the Roden family and their friends or guests riding through the sublime demesne in a barouche or jaunting-car, or even on horse-back.

Lord Roden's  River Drive, 1868 (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

I set up camp for the day within yards of the main car-park; and it was here that the great mansion house stood.

Tollymore Park House had fallen into a state of disrepair and was demolished in 1952.

In 1955 Tollymore, the first state forest to be designated a Forest Park, was opened to the general public.

It has continued to be developed for timber production, recreation, conservation and education purposes since then, and though the mansion house itself may have disappeared, most of the park’s 18th and early 19th century, gates, bridges and lodges have survived.

Still, we are very glad that the parkland and demesne remain in good condition for the enjoyment and benefit of everyone.

First published in July, 2021.