Florence Court House

THE EARLS OF ENNISKILLEN WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY FERMANAGH, WITH 29,635 ACRES

The first of the family who settled in Ulster was SIR WILLIAM COLE (c1571-1653), Knight, a professional soldier born in London, but belonging to the Cole family of Slade, in Devon, who descended (or who, on the evidence of a magnificently emblazoned pedigree in the archive, could plausibly claim to descend) from an ancient Conquest family.

Sir William fixed his abode, early in the reign of JAMES I, in County Fermanagh, and becoming an undertaker in the plantation of Ulster, had an assignment, in 1611, of 1,000 acres of escheated lands in the said county; to which, in 1612, were added 312 acres in the same county, 80 whereof were assigned for the town of Enniskillen, and that town was then incorporated by charter, consisting of a provost and twelve burgesses, Sir William being the first provost. He raised a regiment, which he commanded against the rebels, in 1643, with important success.

Sir William married Susannah, daughter and heir of John Croft, of Lancashire, and widow of Stephen Segar, Lieutenant of Dublin Castle, by whom he left at his decease in 1653,

MICHAEL, his heir;
John, of Newland, father of 1st BARON RANELAGH;
Mary; Margaret.

The elder son,

MICHAEL COLE, wedded, in 1640, Catherine, daughter of Sir Laurence Parsons, of Birr, 2nd Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and dvp, administration being granted 1663 to his only surviving child,

SIR MICHAEL COLE, Knight (1644-1710), of Enniskillen Castle, MP for Enniskillen, 1692-3, 95-9, 1703-11, who espoused firstly, Alice (dsp 1671), daughter of Chidley Coote, of Killester; and secondly, 1672, his cousin, Elizabeth (d 1733), daughter of Sir J Cole Bt.

Sir Michael was succeeded by his only surviving child,

JOHN COLE (1680-1726), of Florence Court, MP for Enniskillen, 1703-26, who espoused, in 1707, Florence, only daughter of Sir Bourchier Wrey Bt, of Trebitch, in Cornwall, and had issue,

Henry (Rev);
JOHN, his heir;
Letitia; Florence.

Mr Cole was succeeded by his younger son,

JOHN COLE (1709-67), of Florence Court, MP for Enniskillen, 1730-60, who married, in 1728, Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Willoughby Montgomery, of Carrow, County Fermanagh, and had issue,

WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, his heir;
Arthur, m in 1780 Caroline Hamilton;
Flora Caroline; Catherine.

Mr Cole was elevated to the peerage, in 1760, in the dignity of Baron Mountflorence, of Florence Court, County Fermanagh.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, 2nd Baron (1736-1803), MP for Enniskillen, 1761-7, who was created Viscount Enniskillen in 1776; and advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1789, as EARL OF ENNISKILLEN.

His lordship wedded, in 1763, Anne, daughter of Galbraith Lowry Corry, of Ahenis, County Tyrone, and sister of Armar Corry, Earl of Belmore, and had issue,

JOHN WILLOUGHBY, his successor;
Galbraith Lowry (Sir), GCB, a general in the army;
William Montgomery (Very Rev), Dean of Waterford;
Arthur Henry, MP for Enniskillen;
Henry, died young;
Sarah; Elizabeth Anne; Anne; Florence; Henrietta Frances.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN WILLOUGHBY, 2nd Earl (1768-1840), KP, who espoused, in 1805, the Lady Charlotte Paget, daughter of Henry, 1st Earl of Uxbridge, and had issue,

WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, his successor;

Henry Arthur;

John Lowry;

Lowry Balfour;

Jane Anne Louisa Florence.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, 3rd Earl (1807-86), Honorary Colonel, 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who married firstly, in 1844, Jane, daughter of James Casamaijor, and had issue,

John Willoughby Michael, styled Viscount Cole (1844-50);

LOWRY EGERTON, 4th Earl;

Arthur Edward Casamaijor;

Florence Mary; Alice Elizabeth; Charlotte June; Jane Evelyn.

He wedded secondly, in 1865, Mary Emma, daughter of Charles, 6th Viscount Midleton.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

LOWRY EGERTON, 4th Earl (1845-1924), KP JP DL MP, who wedded, in 1869, Charlotte Marion, daughter of Douglas Baird, and had issue,

William Willoughby, died in infancy;

JOHN HENRY MICHAEL, his successor;

Galbraith Lowry Egerton, father of 6th Earl;

Reginald Berkeley;

Charlotte Jane Christian; Kathleen Mary; Marion; Florence Anne; Muriel Augusta Mary.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

JOHN HENRY MICHAEL, 5th Earl (1876-1963), CMG, Aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1918, Lieutenant-Colonel, North Irish Horse, who espoused firstly, in 1907, Irene Frances, daughter of Alfred Edward Miller Mundy, and had issue,

MICHAEL GALBRAITH LOWRY, his successor;

Ann Florence Vernay; Frances Jane; Kathleen Irene.

He wedded secondly, in 1932, Mary Cicely, daughter of Hugh Nevill.

His lordship's only son,

MICHAEL GALBRAITH LOWRY (1921-56), styled Viscount Cole, Lieutenant, Irish Guards, died unmarried, and the family honours devolved upon his first cousin,

DAVID LOWRY, 6th Earl (1918-89), MBE JP DL, Captain, Irish Guards, Captain, Ulster Defence Regiment, 1971-73, who married firstly, in 1940, Sonia Mary, daughter of Major Thomas Seyers, and had issue,

ANDREW JOHN GALBRAITH, his successor;

Linda Mar.

He wedded secondly, in 1955, Nancy Henderson, daughter of Dr John Alexander MacLennan.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

ANDREW JOHN GALBRAITH, 7th Earl (1942-), Captain, Irish Guards, 1965, Managing Director, Kenya Airways, 1979-81, who married, in 1964, Sarah Frances Caroline, daughter of Major-General John Keith Edwards, and has issue,

Amanda Mary; Emma Frances; Lucy Caroline.

Further reading about the Cole family is available in the Enniskillen Papers.

FLORENCE COURT HOUSE, County Fermanagh, having been a property of the National Trust since 1953, is a tall, early to mid-18th century block of three storeys over a basement.

It consists of seven bays, its front heavily enriched with rustication, balustrades, pedimented niches and other features.

The main block is joined by long arcades with rusticated pilasters to pedimented and pilastered single-storey pavilions.

The central block was probably built by John Cole MP, later 1st Lord Mountflorence, whose mother was the Florence after whom the mansion is named.

There was probably another property on the site, such as a shooting lodge, in the days when the family inhabited Enniskillen Castle.

The 5th Earl of Enniskillen gave Florence Court to the National Trust in 1953.

Two years later the centre of the mansion was severely damaged by fire; indeed, the 6th Earl was staying at the Ulster Club in Belfast when Lady Enniskillen broke the news to him.

He is said to have cried,  “What the hell do you think I can do about it?”

Fortunately, most of the House has been totally restored, though the attic and nursery rooms on the top floor were not, it is thought, reinstated to their former glory.

The Hall in the 19th Century

The demesne stands in a very fine natural setting and the mansion-house contributes to making it an outstanding site.

When the house was built, it was enhanced by formal planting, which was in vogue at the time.

There were prominent straight avenues, only one of which (the west) survives today.

Traces of massive ditches indicate where the others were.

A curving main avenue replaced the earlier ones, when the park was radically altered in the 1780s under the direction of William King.

This was undertaken in accordance with the then fashion for informal landscapes.

The view from the house became a wide vista to parkland studded with trees and sweeping away to distant woodland.

This exists today, with fine specimens of parkland trees dotted about as originally intended.

The National Trust have replanted clumps from the early 1980s to maintain continuity.

The ornamental gardens, known as the Pleasure Grounds, cover seven acres close to the house.

This planting dates from the 1840s in an area of grass, paths, flowering shrubs and exotic trees.

The summer-house, known as the Heather House, is currently being restored.

The partly walled garden has a stream at one boundary.

It has been adapted for low maintenance and to provide interest for visitors and not filled, as originally intended with fruit, flowers and vegetables for family use.

The parkland today includes several good woodland walks, one of which leads to the original Florence Court yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) in the Cottage Wood.

It is the survivor of two trees discovered in the 1760s, from which all upright yew trees descend.

There are many listed demesne buildings in good repair, including the fine Grand Gates, which adorn a pair of identical lodges of ca 1778.



THE 5TH EARL had been pre-deceased by his only son, Michael, Viscount Cole (1921-56), who died unmarried.

Shortly before this, in 1954, Lord Cole, the legal owner of the property, had, in conjunction with his father, given Florence Court and the fourteen acres immediately surrounding it to the National Trust.

In 1955, the above-mentioned very serious fire broke out, which would have had far worse consequences but for the presence of mind of the 5th Earl's wife.

However, it still devastated the drawing room, the staircase hall and the Venetian Room, which have since been very largely, though not entirely, restored by the National Trust.

Lord and Lady Enniskillen continued to live in the house but, as Nancy Lady Enniskillen put it, '... with [a] reduced number of rooms and of staff - also new discomforts and inconveniences. ...'

Lord Cole died in 1956, leaving the rest of his County Fermanagh estate to David Cole, 6th Earl.

From his succession to the title in 1963 until 1973, the 6th Earl and his second wife Nancy, Lady Enniskillen, lived at Florence Court. During this period, the 6th Earl considerably developed the estate.

Between 1963-69 he served as a member of Fermanagh County Council, being Chairman of its General Purposes and Finance Committee.

From 1971-73, despite a weak heart, he was on active duty as a captain in the 4th (Fermanagh) Battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, whose new headquarters in Enniskillen he opened in March 1973.

In 1973, following disagreements with the National Trust which, happily, were laid to rest in 1997, Lord and Lady Enniskillen left Florence Court and Northern Ireland.

They brought most of the contents of the house with them, although there was an auction in 1973, at which the 5th Duke of Westminster purchased a number of important Cole family portraits (his widow Viola, Duchess of Westminster, presented these to the National Trust in 1980.)

Though no longer living in Northern Ireland, Lord Enniskillen continued to serve as a DL for County Fermanagh, and never failed to attend the House of Lords when Northern Ireland issues were under discussion, particularly issues relating to the police.

In 1974, he transferred nearly all his Florence Court land to the NI Department of Agriculture to enable it to create a forest park.

The 6th Earl died in 1989. He was succeeded by Andrew, Viscount Cole, his only son (by his first marriage) who became the 7th Earl.

The 7th Earl, following family tradition, lives in Kenya, where he is married with three daughters.

The heir presumptive to the earldom is therefore the 6th Earl's first cousin, Berkeley Arthur Cole (b 1949).

The 6th Earl's widow, Nancy, Countess of Enniskillen lived, until her death in February 1998, in Scotland.

First published in January, 2010.  Enniskillen arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Norwood Pictures

Norwood Tower (Image: Mrs Primrose Henderson, 2011)

A READER HAS SENT ME SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF NORWOOD TOWER, STRANDTOWN, BELFAST, FORMER HOME OF THE HENDERSONS, PROPRIETORS OF THE NEWS-LETTER NEWSPAPER

"One of them (below) has a photograph of both my aunts, Peggy and Mary, and Mary does not want her photo to go on the Internet so you cannot put that one on the site ..."

"Sadly it is the best one of the two, as it shows the full door the other one, with the single lady in it, you can use; however I have no idea who she is, it shows a little of what is in the hallway through the door."

"I do have some information of the layout of the houses Riversdale [Co Fermanagh] and Norwood Tower from my aunt and will write it up for you ..."

"Norwood was powered by gas so had gas cookers and lights." 

 

"I do have a photograph of a woman standing at the front door which seems quite ornate with iron railings around it I will scan it and send later."

"I also have a photograph of my aunt sitting in front of a lion statue in the garden of Norwood Tower (above); she said that she didn't want it to go on the Internet however I have attached it for you to see."

"The lady with her was Mrs Lutton or Litton and she rented part of the servants' quarters in Norwood Tower."

"Mary said that another couple rented a different part of the house seemed to be outside of the main house but part of the surrounding building and the rent of those went to the upkeep of the house."

The photograph above shows a glass-house at Norwood Tower.

First published in May, 2011.

Edgeworthstown House

THE EDGEWORTHS OWNED 3,255 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY LONGFORD

In the reign of ELIZABETH I, about 1563, two brothers, EDWARD and FRANCIS EDGEWORTH, went to Ireland, probably under the patronage of the Earl of Essex and Robert Cecil, as those names have since continued in the family.

The elder brother,

THE RIGHT REV DR EDWARD EDGEWORTH, who was beneficed by Her Majesty, was appointed Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, 1593.

He died without issue, and was succeeded by his brother,

FRANCIS EDGEWORTH, Clerk of the Hanaper, 1619, who married Jane, daughter of Edward Tuite, and sister of Sir Edmond Tuite, and by her (who founded an Irish convent near St Germain, near Paris) had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Anne; Mary; Margaret.

He died in 1625, and was succeeded by his only son,

CAPTAIN JOHN EDGEWORTH, of Cranallagh Castle, County Longford, High Sheriff of County Longford, 1646, MP, 1646-9, who wedded firstly, Anne, daughter of Sir Hugh Culme, of Cloughoughter Castle, County Cavan, by whom he had a son,

JOHN, his heir.

He espoused secondly, Mrs Bridgman, widow of Edward Bridgman, brother to Sir Orlando Bridgman, the Lord Keeper.

Captain Edgeworth was succeeded by his only son,

SIR JOHN EDGEWORTH (1638-c1700), MP for St Johnstown (Longford), 1661-99, knighted by CHARLES II, 1672, who married firstly, Mary, only daughter and heir of Edward Bridgman, and acquired with her an estate in Lancashire, besides a considerable fortune in money, and had by her six sons.

By his second wife, Anne, he had three sons and two daughters.

Among his issue were,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Robert, ancestor of EDGEWORTH of Kilshrewly;
Henry, of Lissard;
Essex (Rev), of Templemichael.

The eldest son,

COLONEL FRANCIS EDGEWORTH (1657-1709), of Edgeworthstown, MP for Longford Borough, 1703-9, raised a regiment for WILLIAM III.

He wedded firstly, Dorothy, daughter of Hugh Culme, of County Cavan, by whom he had a son, Francis, who died unmarried; and secondly, Dorothy, daughter of Sir Charles Hamilton Bt, of Castle Hamilton, County Cavan, and had a son, John, who dsp, and a daughter, Francelina.

Colonel Edgeworth espoused thirdly, Mary, widow of John Bradstone, and had a son and successor,

RICHARD EDGEWORTH (1701-70), of Edgeworthstown, High Sheriff of County Longford, 1742, MP for Longford Borough, 1737-60, who married, in 1731, Rachel Jane, daughter of Sir Salathiel Lovell, of Harleston, Northamptonshire, and had issue,

RICHARD LOVELL, his heir;
Mary; Margaret.

Mr Edgeworth was succeeded by his only son,

RICHARD LOVELL EDGEWORTH (1744-1817), of Edgeworthstown, MP for St Johnstown, 1798-1800, born at Bath, the celebrated writer on education and inventions.

By four wives he was father of no less than twenty-two children.

Mr Edgeworth was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

LOVELL EDGEWORTH JP DL (1775-1842), of Edgeworthstown, High Sheriff of County Longford, 1819, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his half-brother,

CHARLES SNEYD EDGEWROTH DL (1786-1864), of Edgeworthstown, who married, in 1813, Henrica, daughter of John Broadhurst, of Foston Hall, Derbyshire, which lady dsp 1846.

He dsp 1864, and was succeeded by his nephew,

ANTONIO EROLES EDGEWORTH JP DL (1842-1911), of Edgeworthstown, High Sheriff of County Longford, 1890, who wedded, in 1874, Françoise, daughter of Colonel Delcher, of the French Service.

Mr Edgeworth dsp 1911, and was succeeded by his cousin,

FRANCIS YSIDRO EDGEWORTH (1845-1926), son of Richard Lovell Edgeworth and his fourth wife, Frances Ann Beaufort, of Edgeworthstown, who died unmarried.

EDGEWORTHSTOWN HOUSE, Edgeworthstown, County Longford, is an early 18th century mansion erected by Richard Edgeworth MP.

It comprises two storeys over a basement, with two adjoining fronts.

The entrance front has three bays between two tripe windows in the upper storey; while the adjoining front has a three-bay breakfront which rises above the roofline as a pedimented attic.

Richard Lovell Edgeworth enlarged and renovated the house after 1770, and added many ingenious devices, including leather straps to prevent doors banging, sideboards on wheels, and even a water-pump which automatically dispensed a halfpenny to beggars who worked it for half an hour.

Following Francis Ysidro Edgeworth's decease in 1926, Edworstown estate was inherited by Mrs C F Montagu (née Sanderson), whose mother was an Edgeworth.

Mrs Montagu sold the property to Bernard Noonan, who bequeathed it, in 1947, to an order of nuns which used it as a nursing home.

The exterior of the house was subsequently greatly altered; and the interior was gutted and rebuilt.

First published in June, 2018.

Rock House

ROCK HOUSE, Portstewart, County Londonderry, was given this name in order to distinguish it from its larger neighbour further along the coast, known as the Castle or O'Hara's Castle until it became St Mary's Dominican Convent (a school since 1917).

Rock House pre-dates O'Hara's Castle.

This house was a two-storey, late-Georgian seaside villa of ca 1820, with two bows like round towers at either end of its front.

The bows contained circular rooms.

Rock House was famous for having been the birth-place, in 1835, of FIELD-MARSHAL SIR GEORGE WHITE VC, the defender of Ladysmith.

It was built by Henry O'Hara who later constructed a mansion house on a promontory further to the north.

Rock House is referred to in 1835 as a bathing residence that was usually let during the summer.

The house was rented to James Robert White, of WHITE HALL, County Antrim, during the summer of 1835.

The building was vacant in 1856 and was the property of Alexander Shuldham.

The house was let out for some years and, in 1885, was sold to Thomas Mackey, a wine merchant of Coleraine, at which time it was said to comprise twenty-three rooms, including three reception rooms, nine bedrooms, kitchen, pantries and two WCs.

Extensive outbuildings comprised a large coach-house, stable, byre, and a house for the coachman, the whole "romantically situated on an acre of ground".

In 1908, it was recorded that the house was let for the summer season of three months a year and was otherwise vacant.

The house passed to James Leslie ca 1920; and then to the Wilson family in the 1930s.

It was run as a boarding-house in the summer, though was closed during the winter.

Notes of this period show the house with bays and porch, a rear return with dining room; pantry and scullery; and a stable block to the south which had been converted into rooms for boarders and staff.

In 1945, the property was purchased for £3,000 by Robina Young, when the interior was completely modernised, part of the building accommodating an overflow of visitors from the STRAND HOTEL.

Rock House was demolished overnight in 2001, without permission, during the construction of a block of apartments that now occupy the site:

"Planners were under fire today after ruling out legal action over the flattening of a protected historic building. The listed 19th century [Low] Rock Castle in Portstewart was pulled down in the summer of 2001 to make way for an apartment complex."

"It has taken the DoE's Planning Service almost four years to decide against prosecution. The Department had previously referred to the demolition as an "offence" and stressed that the "necessary legal procedures" were under way."

"Its decision not to go to court has been revealed in a letter to Coleraine Council. The DoE said it had been firmly advised by its lawyers that there was "no reasonable prospect" of a conviction."

"Works to Rock Castle had been "urgently necessary" on health and safety grounds and the developer had carried out the "minimum measures necessary", the letter stated."

"The Department also said that Planning Service chiefs had decided after "careful consideration" that pursuing the case "would not be in the overall public interest". The DoE took a much tougher stance in the immediate wake of the removal of the historic building."

'In a letter to the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in October 2001, the office of the then Environment Minister, Sam Foster, stated: "The Planning Service has initiated the necessary legal procedures with a view to pursuing prosecution." 

"The Minister's office also stated that the demolition was "at variance" with a Planning Service consent, which required the "retention of the original front section of Rock Castle."

Rita Harkin from the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society said at the time:

"This fine listed building was demolished without consent, to the detriment and dismay of the community. We shared their clear expectation that a prosecution would follow. To maintain that the Department's inaction is in the public interest is risible. Will it not simply prompt others to demolish and reason later, cheating towns and villages of cherished historic buildings?"

I photographed Rock House's successor during a visit to Portstewart in July, 2013.

The picture was taken from the shore.

At the entrance there remains a tiny fisherman's cottage of ca 1600.

First published in July, 2013.

Glenmachan Tower

SIR THOMAS McCLURE, BARONET, OWNED 1,095 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

GLENMACHAN TOWER, Belfast, is an Italianate two-storey mansion of 1862 with a three-storey attached tower at the north end.

This property is not to be confused with GLENMACHAN HOUSE, former seat of the Ewart Baronets.

It has a large, rounded, arch doorway with surround and keystone, and chamfered quoins.

The top storey of the tower is octagonal and topped with decorative cast-iron railings.

The entrance front comprises eight bays.

It faces southwards and consists of a bay to the west end, a three-stage tower immediately adjacent; then a recessed bay east of the tower, a projecting gabled bay and four bays to the east.

A round-arched door opens to the porch, having a replacement glazed, timber-panelled door opening with in-filled panel above, opening onto three stone steps.  

Larmour believed that the house was "the most splendid of a series built in the area to the designs of Thomas Jackson".

It is believed that Glenmachan Tower was originally constructed for SIR THOMAS McCLURE Bt.

Although it is clear that it was erected on land owned by Sir Thomas, it is noted that he did not live at the property, but instead resided at Belmont House (now the site of Campbell College) from at least the 1850s.

The Dublin Builder states that Glenmachan Tower was constructed in 1862 to a design by the Belfast-based architect, Thomas Jackson.

Prior to undertaking work in the Sydenham area, Jackson had been responsible for the early-19th century suburban development of north Belfast.

Between the 1860s and 1870s Jackson designed a number of suburban villas and mansions in East Belfast including Glenmachan Tower, Craigavon House, Glenmachan House, and Lismachan House.

The Dublin Builder notes that John Lowry of Great George's Street was contracted to build Glenmachan Tower.

For the masonry of the building Jackson employed locally-quarried Scrabo Sandstone.

The first occupant of Glenmachan Tower is said to have been Thomas Jackson himself, who resided there until ca 1865, when Robert W Gordon was recorded as the occupant.

Robert Gordon, of Gordon & Co., a flax and tow-spinning manufacturer based on the Falls Road, leased the house from Sir Thomas McClure from at least 1865 until vacating the property in 1870.

In that year Glenmachan Tower was occupied by James Kennedy, who only briefly resided there until 1877.

The Shillington family, who continued to live at Glenmachan Tower until the 1960s, first came into possession of the house in 1877.

John Johnston Shillington was a local magistrate and linen merchant who owned the firm  John J Shillington & Co., based in west Belfast.

Following Mr Shillington's death in 1898, Glenmachan Tower passed to his son John Courtenay Shillington.

In 1900, the Belfast Revaluation recorded that Glenmachan Tower had cost an estimated £5,855 to construct.

The valuer included a detailed ground plan of Shillington's dwelling.

When compared with the current layout of the building, it is evident that the plan has not been altered since the early-20th century (apart from the addition of the two-storey north-east extension block in 1992).

Thomas Courtenay Shillington continued to reside at Glenmachan Tower until his death in 1963.

Having been utilised as a private residence for over a century, Glenmachan Tower was converted into a licensed hotel known as the Glenmachan Tower Hotel, in 1968.

The building was listed in 1979.

The hotel and grounds were purchased in 1985 by Strandtown Church of God, which converted Glenmachan Tower's stable block into a youth hall and constructed a two-storey church hall to the east side of the stable block by 1986.

The mansion-house was used by the church for wedding receptions and social functions, but by 1990 the building had been converted into a private nursing home with the construction of the two-storey modern extension in 1992.

The renamed Glenmachan Church of God opened a new 800-seat sanctuary to the east side of Glenmachan Tower in 2008.

In 2020-21, the former grounds (now a car park) of the house were used as a "drive-through" Covid vaccination centre.

First published in January, 2015.

Dromore Castle

THE EARLS OF LIMERICK OWNED 4,083 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY LIMERICK

The ancestors of this noble family were originally of Lower Brittany, in France; and the first of the family upon record in Ireland is EDMUND PERY, a son of William Pery, Bailiff of Exeter, 1578, who settled in Limerick.

This Edmund Pery, erstwhile Mayor of Limerick, died in 1655, leaving by Susannah his wife, only daughter and heir of Stephen Sexten, and heiress of her nephew, Edmond Sexten, of St Mary's Abbey, a son and successor,

COLONEL EDMUND PERY, of Stackpole Court, County Clare, who married Dymphna, daughter of Bartholomew Stackpole, of Stackpole Court, and had issue,

SEXTEN, his heir;
STACKPOLE, succeeded his brother;
four daughters.

Colonel Pery died in 1721, and was succeeded by his elder son,

SEXTEN PERY, of Stackpole Court, who died in 1730, and was succeeded by his brother,

THE REV STACKPOLE PERY MA, who wedded, in 1716, Jane, daughter and heir of the Ven William Twigge, Archdeacon of Limerick (by Diana, daughter and heir of Sir Drury Wray Bt, by Albinia, daughter and co-heir of Edward, Viscount Wimbledon, third son of 1st Earl of Exeter KG), and had, with other issue,

EDMUND SEXTEN, 1st Viscount Pery;
WILLIAM CECIL, succeeded his brother;
Diana; Dymphna; Lucy; Jane.

The elder son,

EDMUND SEXTON PERY (1719-1806), MP for Limerick City, 1761-76, who having filled the office of Speaker of the House of Commons in Ireland from 1771 until 1785, received upon his retirement the unanimous thanks of the House, and at the express solicitation of that branch of the legislature, was elevated to the peerage, in 1785, in the dignity of VISCOUNT PERY, of Newtown Pery, Limerick.

His lordship married firstly, in 1756, Patricia, youngest daughter of John Martin; and secondly, in 1762, Elizabeth, daughter of John, 1st Baron Knapton, and had issue,

Diana, m to Thomas, Earl of Ranfurly;
Frances, m to Nicholson Calvert MP.

His lordship died in 1806, when, leaving no male issue, his honours expired and the family estates devolved upon his brother,

THE RT REV WILLIAM CECIL PERY (1721-94), consecrated Lord Bishop of Killaloe, 1781, and translated to the bishopric of Limerick, 1784.

The Bishop was elevated to the peerage, in 1790, in the dignity of Baron Glentworth, of Mallow, County Cork.

He wedded firstly, in 1755, Jane, eldest daughter of John Walcott, of Croagh, and had issue,

EDMUND HENRY, his successor;
Eleanor, m to Sir Vere Hunt Bt.

He espoused secondly, in 1792, Dorothea, daughter of Richard Maunsell, of Limerick, and widow of General Crump, but had no further issue.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

EDMUND HENRY, 2nd Baron (1758-1844), who was created, in 1800, Viscount Limerick. 

His lordship was advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1803, as EARL OF LIMERICK (2nd creation), and enrolled amongst the peers of the United Kingdom at large, as Baron Foxford.

• Edmund Henry Pery, 1st Earl (1758–1844)
• William Henry Tennison Pery, 2nd Earl (1812–66)
• William Hale John Charles Pery, 3rd Earl (1840–96)
• William Henry Edmund de Vere Sheaffe Pery, 4th Earl (1863–1929)
• Edmond Colquhoun Pery, 5th Earl (1888–1967)
• Patrick Edmund Pery, 6th Earl (1930–2003)
• Edmund Christopher Pery, 7th Earl (b 1963)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son Felix Edmund Pery, styled Viscount Glentworth.

DROMORE CASTLE, near Pallaskenry, County Limerick, was designed ca 1867-70 by E W Godwin for the 3rd Earl of Limerick.

Built as a keep in a Gothic-Revival style, the building is archaeologically convincing both in its design and its display of distinctively Irish Gothic features, such as the round tower and stepped battlements.

Godwin studied and measured several Irish Gothic castles before producing his plans for Dromore.

He also designed much of the interior including the wall paintings, fireplaces, ceiling decoration, sculpture, tiles, stained and painted glass, brass work and ironwork, as well as furniture, to whom the commission for furniture went to William Watts of Grafton Street.

Henry Stacey Marks commenced the wall paintings; however, work was abandoned due to severe damp.

To combat this, Godwin designed a brick lining with a cavity of about two inches from the stonework, in addition the internal walls and vaults, with the exception of the main entrance vault, were also of brick.

Following the death of the 3rd Earl, the 4th Earl used the castle very little and had it boarded up in the early 1900s.

Dromore Castle was sold by the 4th Earl in 1939 to the McMahon family, who occupied it until 1960.

An attempt was then made to find a buyer for it; and when this proved unsuccessful, the castle was dismantled.

However, the ruin remains a striking feature in the landscape and is visible for miles due to its prominent elevated position.

Dromore Castle remains an important part of the social and architectural heritage of County Limerick being one of the most archaeologically correct Gothic-Revival castles that was built at that time. 

Former residence ~ Chiddingly, West Hoathly, Sussex.

First published in August, 2013. 

The Crown Bar Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY:  Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast

DATE: 1978

EXTENT: 0.09 acres

DONOR: Messrs Edward & James Hillan

First published in December, 2014.

Seaver of Heath Hall

THE SEAVERS OWNED 172 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ARMAGH

The ancestor of the SEAVERS came from Germany to Ulster, an officer in Cromwell's army, and settled at Tray, near Armagh, which property was in possession of a junior branch of the family. By letters patent, dated during the seventh year in the reign of JAMES I, the monastic house and manor of Killeavy, County Armagh, was granted to Sir Marmaduke Whitechurch, who left one daughter, who was married to John Symonds.

They had issue, Marmaduke, who died young, and three daughters, the eldest of whom was married to

CHARLES SEAVER, of Tray, County Armagh.

His eldest son,

NICHOLAS SEAVER, wedded Bridget, daughter of Jeremiah Paterson, of Dundalk, County Louth.

Their eldest son,

JONATHAN SEAVER, of Tray, served as High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1748.

His eldest son,

THOMAS SEAVER, built Heath Hall in 1769, and served as High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1775.

He espoused Catherine Cramer, and had issue,

JONATHAN, his heir;

Thomas, died a lieutenant in the army;

Eliza; Mary Anne; Bridget.

The elder son,

JONATHAN SEAVER (1760-1841), of Heath Hall, High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1807, married firstly, Nicholina, only child and heir of John Pockrich, of Derrylusk, County Monaghan.

Jonathan Seaver (Armagh County Museum)

Mr Seaver espoused secondly, Anne, eldest daughter of the Rev Charles Seaver, of Tray, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;

John Pockrich;

Joseph, Lieutenant, 21st Foot Regiment; married;

Charles, Lieutenant, Royal Navy; married;

Nicholina; Hester Susanna.

The second son, John Pockrich Seaver, Lieutenant, 15th Foot Regiment, married Miss Margaret Aiken, of County Fermanagh, and had issue, the Very Rev Dr Charles Seaver; Alicia; Nicholina. Dr Seaver was father of Henry Seaver, Architect.

Mr Seaver's eldest son,

THOMAS SEAVER JP (1788-1847), of Heath Hall, County Armagh, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, 1816, wedded, in 1824, Jane, fourth daughter of Neale McNeill, of Faughart, County Louth, and had issue,

THOMAS (1825-1900);

Jane; Julia; Emily.

Thomas Seaver (1825-1900). (Armagh County Museum)

HEATH HALL, Seavers Road, Newry, County Down, Thomas Seaver built a two-storey thatched house on this location in 1769.

Heath Hall, by unknown artist (Image: Armagh County Museum)

The estate was sold by the family in 1853, but bought back in 1897.

Thomas Seaver’s grandson, Jonathan, employed his cousin Henry Seaver, a Belfast architect, to restore the existing building and add the castellated tower.

Heath Hall (Historic OS map)

 It was subsequently occupied by Peter McDonnell.

The present owner states that the house was gutted by fire in 1976.

Heath Hall features in J A K Dean's Plight of the Big House in Northern Ireland, page 60.

Kilmore Palace

THE bishopric of Kilmore was established in the 13th century, and in the 15th century changed its ancient name of Breffny into that of Kilmore.

It lies parallel to, and south of the diocese of Clogher, extending fifty-eight miles in length and between ten and twenty in breadth, through four counties, viz. Cavan, Leitrim, Meath, and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.

The See House, Kilmore, County Cavan, was built by the Right Rev George de la Poer Beresford, Lord Bishop of Kilmore, 1802-39, and of Kilmore and Ardagh, 1839-41.

It was occupied by a further sixteen prelates.

It is believed that the last bishop to reside at the palace was the Right Rev Michael Mayes, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh from 1993-2000.

See House, Kilmore, built in 2013

A new see house was built at a different location near the cathedral hall in 2013.

Kilmore Palace: Entrance front (Image: Colliers)

THE SEE HOUSE, Kilmore, County Cavan, is a Grecian-Revival mansion of three storeys over a basement.

It was built between 1835-7.

This former episcopal palace, attributed to William Farrell, comprises a three-bay entrance front.

Kilmore Palace: main staircase (Image: Colliers)

There is an irregular five-bay rear elevation with pilasters flanking wide east bay, and a shallow bow to central bays.

The roof is concealed by a parapet.

The house is rendered over squared rubble stone walls.

Kilmore Palace (Image: Colliers)

An ashlar pediment, and tympanum with episcopal coat-of-arms.

The ashlar portico has paired Doric pilasters.

This is an impressive classical-revival house in an austere Grecian style.

The former bishop's palace is substantially intact, retaining its original character and form, and its setting on a wooded hill surrounded by meadow, near the Cathedral.

The architectural form of the house is enriched by many original features and materials, such as cut stone details, timber sashes with historic glass, and panelled doors.

The old see house has a long ecclesiastical association, having replaced an earlier episcopal palace to the north of the former cathedral and the later 19th-century Kilmore Cathedral.

The old see house forms the centrepiece of an architectural group consisting of fine outbuildings, gate lodge, and entrance gates, and forms part of the significant ecclesiastical complex of Kilmore Cathedral, the old Cathedral, and nearby graveyard.

I ATTENDED the installation of my school friend, the Very Rev Nigel Crossey, as Dean of Kilmore in 2015.

First published in September, 2015.

Ardress Transformation

Ardress House in County Armagh was built about 1680 as a plain, two-storey farmhouse, one room deep.

Between then and ca 1810 the house was extended and evolved in four stages into a substantial gentleman's country house.

The façade of the garden front, which faces south, shows three of the principal building stages: the dining-room wing to the left of about 1810; the drawing-room gable in the middle of ca 1780; and the original right-hand gable of ca 1680 with its elegant, curved wall screen added about 1810.

The National Trust heritage directory remarks:-

"The south façade of the house clearly shows the three main building phases: the right gable belongs to the 17th century, the left gable to the 18th century and the Dining Room wing to the 19th century."

"The second George Ensor transformed this potentially ugly side view into an elegant garden front by incorporating the hotch-potch of extensions into a five-bay facade."

"At either end he added curved walls which reach out gracefully on to the lawn, the right neatly joining and concealing the screen wall of the front façade."

"Four female heads have been placed in the niches of the screen walls."

"They are known as The Four Seasons although they were probably not intended to be allegories."

"Spring, on the extreme left, is signed by Christopher Hewetson (1739-99); the other sculptors are unknown."

As can be seen from the black-and-white photograph, the façade was rather ugly in appearance before its remarkable transformation by the National Trust.

The various stages were quite obvious and discrete in appearance; the curved wall to the right was obscured by a lean-to glass-house.

Today the garden front has been completely transformed by a much-needed facelift.

Lime render and white paint gives it a uniform appearance.

First published in May, 2016.

Aughentaine Castle

THE KNOX-BROWNES OWNED 10,350 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TYRONE

JOHN HAMILTON BROWNE, of Cumber House, near Claudy, County Londonderry, and Aughentaine, County Tyrone, son of THOMAS BROWNE, of County Londonderry, by Elizabeth Hamilton his wife, niece of James Hamilton, Provost of Strabane ca 1720, and grandson of GEORGE BROWNE, also of Londonderry, by his wife Mary, daughter of Colonel Hogg, married, in 1795, Jane Matilda, daughter of William Lecky, of Castle Fin, County Donegal, MP for Londonderry City, 1790-7, by Hannah his wife, daughter of Conolly McCausland, of DRENAGH, County Londonderry, and had issue,

Conolly William Lecky, of Cumber House; died unmarried;
THOMAS RICHARDSON, his successor;
GEORGE, of Comber House;
John Hamilton;
Hannah Sidney; Elizabeth.

Cumber House (Image: YouTube)

Mr Browne died in 1848, and was succeeded by his second, but eldest surviving son,

THOMAS RICHARDSON BROWNE JP DL (1810-82), of Aughentaine, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1832, who wedded, in 1839, Sarah, fourth daughter of Hervey Pratt de Montmorency, of CASTLE MORRES, County Kilkenny, and had issue,

JOHN HERVEY, his heir;
Raymond Saville;
Conolly William Lecky Browne-Lecky;
Rose Sarah; Caroline Frances; Matilda Theodosia.

Mr Browne was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN HERVEY KNOX-BROWNE JP DL (1841-1927), of Aughentaine Castle, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1887, who married, in 1867, Louisa Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Francis Arthur Knox-Gore Bt, of BELLEEK MANOR, County Mayo, by Sarah his wife, daughter of Colonel Charles Nesbitt Knox, of Castle Lacken, County Mayo, and had issue,

Charles Arthur Hervey (1870-1934), died unmarried;
MERVYN WILLIAM CHARLES NESBITT;
Sarah Hannah Madeline; Augusta Caroline; Eileen Hester Louisa.

Colonel Knox-Browne, ADC to His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lieutenant-Colonel, 9th Brigade, North Irish Division, Royal Artillery, assumed the additional surname and arms of KNOX in 1874.

He was succeeded by his younger son,

MERVYN WILLIAM CHARLES NESBITT KNOX-BROWNE DL (1880-1954), of Aughentaine Castle, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1935, who wedded, in 1911, Mary, daughter of Captain Thomas Barry George, and had issue,

MERVYN HERVEY, his heir;
Louisa May (1912-69).

Mr Knox-Browne was succeeded by his only son,

MERVYN HERVEY KNOX-BROWNE JP DL (1927-), of Aughentaine Castle, who married, in 1956, Catherine, daughter of Hugh Ferguson, and had issue,

DEIRDRE ROSEMARY KNOX-BROWNE, born in 1959.

*****

Mr Knox-Browne, who moved to Perthshire, sold Aughentaine Castle to Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Hamilton-Stubber.

It was subsequently demolished in 1955. 

An ancestor of the Hamilton-Stubbers, Hugh Hamilton, settled at Lisbane in County Down during the reign of JAMES I, died in 1665 and was interred at Bangor, County Down. Hugh's son was called John Hamilton, of Ballymenoch near Holywood. A second son was Alexander Hamilton, of Killyleagh.  

MAJOR ROBERT HAMILTON-STUBBER DSO (1879-1963), of MOYNE HOUSE, married, in 1920, the Lady Mabel Florence Mary Crichton, daughter of John, 4th Earl of Erne, and had issue, an only child,

JOHN HENRY HAMILTON-STUBBER DL (1921-86), Captain, Coldstream Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel, Ulster Defence Regiment, 1972, who wedded, in 1953, Fiona Patricia, daughter of Geoffrey Wyndham Breitmeyer, and had issue,

JAMES ROBERT;
Richard J, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Co Armagh; m Susanna, dau. of 2nd Viscount Brookeborough;
Charles Geoffrey, born 1960;
David Hugh, born 1962.

The eldest son,

JAMES ROBERT HAMILTON-STUBBER DL (1954-), of Aughentaine, former Lieutenant, Coldstream Guards, married Carola E A Savill, and has issue,

HENRY JAMES HAMILTON-STUBBER, born in 1984.

Photo Credit: © McClitock of Seskinore

AUGHENTAINE CASTLE, near Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, was a large Victorian mansion, built in 1860 for Thomas Richardson Browne.

This mansion house was named after the plantation castle mentioned by Mrs Knox-Browne in 1937 for a BBC interview.

Aughentaine Castle, Entrance Front (Image: 8th Infantry Division)

It consisted of a two-storey main block and a lower two-storey wing, with two tall Italianate campaniles of equal height, one at each end.

Aughentaine Castle, Garden Front (Image:McClintock of Seskinore)

There was an open porch; two-light and three-light windows some round-headed and others rectangular. The roofing was prominent.

The image above is shown by kind permission of McClintock of Seskinore, which contains more pictures of Aughentaine.

The house was demolished ca 1955 by Colonel Hamilton-Stubber, who built a neo-classical house (below) ca 1958 to the design of the Hon Claud Phillimore.

Land was acquired in the 18th century and a demesne was set out but not walled in.

There are many fine mature trees, evidence of the planting that took place for this imposing house.

The landscape designer, Percy Cane, planned an ornamental garden for the house and this is maintained.

Excellent distant views can be seen from the house over Cane’s double terraces and tree-tops on lower ground.

Extensive rhododendron and other shrub planting cascades below the terraces and into the parkland to the south.

Expansion took place post-1958 in the planting beneath mature trees on either side of Ballyness Glen, which runs to the east of the house in an attractive declivity.

There is a lake on high ground to the north of the house, which has an island and is backed by a wood and, further back, extensive forest planting.

It is referred to as a ‘Fish Pond’ in 1858, prior to the erection of the 1860s house.

The 1860s stables are retained and beyond lies the walled garden, which is pre-1858.

It is part-cultivated and the original glasshouses have gone except one, which is in operation.

Several bridges are necessary in the park: one, built in the 1860s, was designed as part of the planned landscape.

Aughentaine estate, near Fivemiletown, is renowned for its garden and forestry.

First published in September, 2010.