Brackenber In The 1950s

A fellow Old Brackenbrian, Tom Graham, sent me three photographs of staff and pupils at Brackenber House prep school, Belfast, during the mid-fifties.

Many thanks, Tom, for such a wonderful contribution.

If you click on the image below, it ought to enlarge.

Tom describes these pictures in his own words:-

Above is a school photo from about 1956/57.

So few pupils, so many teachers!

A student/teacher ratio which would bring a tear to the eye of any modern educator.

On Mr Craig's left is the famous Miss Rankin.

I can't name any of the young women to her left.

To his right is Mr Henry, Deputy Principal.

He left to become an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon; then Mr Hunter, next, I believe is the Sport/PE master, whose name escapes me.

Mr Ferguson and two unknown trainee teachers complete the line-up.

They were all good teachers.

Their skills greatly eased the transition to Secondary education.


The photo above suggests that not all reds are equal.

Substantial differences in the blazers are clearly visible.

The BHS monogram is missing from many pockets.

My guess is that many families must have struggled financially, and economised by not buying blazers from the approved supplier.

My parents managed to outfit my brother as well as myself from the approved supplier, but only just, I suspect.

The parents at my daughter's private school ran a thriving a second hand uniform shop.

I can't remember any such thing at Brackenber.

I do not recall an overcoat being part of the uniform.

Its cost might have been the final straw which would have deterred some parents.

PS That's me, Tom, in the top left corner!

Above is the football team from 1956/57.

We tried hard, but rarely succeeded.

The school was small,  so the talent pool was shallow.

We played against Rockport and Cabin Hill, but not against nearby Inchmarlo.

The school supplied the shirts, but not the socks, shorts,or boots.

As you can see, the sports budget did not stretch to providing more than one size of shirt!

For away matches, Mr Craig took all twelve of us in his car!

First published in 2009.

Days That Are Gone

Days That Are Gone is a book published in 1983 about the childhood of the distinguished Ulster lawyer, businessman and writer, Sir Patrick Macrory.

Sir Patrick Arthur Macrory received a knighthood in 1972 for services to Northern Ireland.

In Days That Are Gone, he reminisces about his childhood spent at the family homestead, Ardmore, near Limavady in County Londonderry.

Ardmore is within a mile of DRENAGH estate; and, indeed the McCauslands are mentioned quite a few times in the book.

If you're seeking a nostalgic journey to rural Ulster in the early 20th century, when the railways ran to most of our towns and villages, including Limavady; where there was a halt, indeed, at Ardmore; this, then, will interest you.

Sir Patrick's grandfather was Samuel Martin Macrory JP, of Ardmore Lodge, born in 1836; and his father, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Samuel (Frank) Macrory DSO DL, born in 1876, was married to ROSA POTTINGER.

In his book, he mentions an amateur production he staged during his youth, at the Town Hall, Limavady, by the so-called Ardmore Players, where the following roll-call of the county's landed families acted:

Pat Macrory ~ Holmes;
William Lenox-Conyngham ~ Dr Watson;
Peggy Garnett ~ Landlady;
Conolly McCausland ~ Villain;
Rosemarie Davidson ~ Housekeeper.

For those interested in the old Limavady railway and the parish of Balteagh, this book is essential reading.

The late Rt Hon Roy Bradford composed a notable obituary of Sir Patrick (1911-93).

Palmerstown House

THE EARLS OF MAYO OWNED 4,915 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY KILDARE

This family, MacWILLIAM BOURKE, and that of CLANRICARDE, derive from a common ancestor, viz. WILLIAM FITZADELM DE BURGO, who succeeded STRONGBOW as chief governor of Ireland, 1176. Sir Theobald Bourke, of Ardnaree, the last MacWilliam Bourke in Ireland, escaped to Spain, and was created by PHILIP III Marquis of Mayo.

DAVID BOURKE, of Moneycrower (Bunacrower), during the reign of HENRY VIII, had three sons,

Edmond;

JOHN, of whom we treat;

Miles.

The second son,

JOHN BOURKE, of Moneycrower (Bunacrower), was a captain of horse under the Marquess of Ormonde during the troubles in Ireland, in 1641; at the termination of which he took up his abode at Kill, County Kildare, and marrying Catherine, daughter of Meyler Fay, and niece of Sir Paul Davys, had (with three daughters),

Miles, dsp;
Walter, dsp;
Theobald, dsp;
RICKARD, of whom presently. 

The youngest son,

RICKARD BOURKE LL.D, of Dublin, married Catherine, daughter of Charles Minchin, of Ballinakill, County Tipperary, and was father of

THE RT HON JOHN BOURKE (c1700-90), MP for Naas, 1727-60, 1768-76, Old Leighlin, 1761-8, who wedded, in 1725, Mary, third daughter and co-heir of the Rt Hon Joseph Deane, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
JOSEPH DEANE (Most Rev), Lord Archbishop of Tuam, 3rd Earl;
Richard;
Thomas;
Catherine; Elizabeth; Margaret; Eleanor.

Mr Bourke having been sworn previously of the Irish privy council, was elevated to the peerage, in 1776, in the dignity of Baron Naas, of Naas, County Kildare; and advanced to a viscountcy, 1781, as Viscount Mayo, of Moneycrower (Bunacrower), County Mayo.

His lordship was further advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1785, as EARL OF MAYO.

The 1st Earl was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN, 2nd Earl (1729-92), MP for Naas, 1763-90, who espoused, in 1764, the Lady Mary Leeson, daughter of Joseph, Earl of Milltown, but died without issue, when the honours devolved upon his brother,

JOSEPH DEANE (Most Rev), Lord Archbishop of Tuam, as 3rd Earl (c1740-94), who married, in 1760, Elizabeth, only daughter of Sir Richard Meade Bt, and sister of John, 1st Earl of Clanwilliam, by whom he had issue,

JOHN, 4th Earl;
Richard (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Waterford;
Joseph (Very Rev), Dean of Ossory;
George Theobald (Rev);
and eight daughters.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

John, 4th Earl (1766–1849);
Robert, 5th Earl (1797–1867);
Richard Southwell, 6th Earl (1822-72);
Dermot Robert Wyndham, 7th Earl (1851–1927);
Walter Longley, 8th Earl (1859–1939);
Ulick Henry, 9th Earl (1890–1962);
Terence Patrick, 10th Earl (1929–2006);
Charles Diarmuidh John, 11th Earl (b 1953).

The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest son, Richard Thomas Bourke, styled Lord Naas (b 1985).

PALMERSTOWN HOUSE, near Johnstown, County Kildare, is a mansion-house rebuilt in late-Victorian "Queen Anne" style.

6th Earl of Mayo KP GCSI PC

The mansion was built by public subscription as a tribute to the memory of the 6th Earl of Mayo, Chief Secretary for Ireland and later Viceroy of India.

The 6th Earl was assassinated by an escaped convict in the Andaman Islands in 1872.

One front has a recessed centre and three-bay projections, joined by a colonnade of coupled columns. Another front has a pediment elevated on a three-bay attic, between two three-sided bows.

The house has a Mansard roof with pedimented dormers.

The mansion was burnt in 1923, though afterwards rebuilt with a flat roof and balustraded parapet.

Palmerstown has had a succession of owners, including Mrs B Lawlor, who began her career as cook to the 7th Earl and Countess.

Palmerstown House now functions as a de luxe golf golf resort and functions including christenings, communions, confirmations, family celebrations, retirement parties, anniversaries, corporate events, team-building exercises etc.

Mayo arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Florence Court: My Irish Home

My dear mother gave me a wonderful hardback book when we were in County Fermanagh in 1979.

It is entitled Florence Court: My Irish Home, and written lovingly by Nancy, Countess of Enniskillen.

The book was published in 1972 by R & S Printers, The Diamond, Monaghan.

Lady Enniskillen wrote:

On the highest level of The Pleasure Grounds, there used to stand a little "summer house." Here on a warm sunny day ideally without wind and wrinkled only by the wings of birds and insects, on such a day at Florence Court, the Cole family would adjourn to drink their tea and enjoy the tonic view of the valley and the mountain.

On Thursday, the 14th August, 2014, this charming little thatched gazebo was burnt to the ground.

The National Trust has, I'm delighted to say, rebuilt it to the original specifications.

The Reeks

THE McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY KERRY, WITH 15,518 ACRES

CORNELIUS or CONNOR McGILLYCUDDY was born ca 1580; died by shipwreck, 1630, having married firstly, Joan, daughter of the Rt Rev John Crosbie, Lord Bishop of Ardfert; and secondly, Sheelagh, daughter of Richard Oge McCarty, of Dunguile, by whom he had a son, Niell, and a daughter.

By his first wife he had, with other issue,

DONOUGH McGILLYCUDDY (1623-c1695), of Carnbeg Castle, County Kerry, Sheriff of County Kerry, 1686.

This Donough obtained a grant of arms from Sir Richard Carney, Ulster King of Arms, in 1688.

He wedded, in 1641, Marie, youngest daughter of Daniel O'Sullivan, of Dunkerron, County Kerry, and had issue,

CORNELIUS, the heir;
Daniel, Colonel, Captain Monck's Regiment; father of DENNIS.

Mr McGillycuddy was succeeded by his elder son,

CORNELIUS McGILLYCUDDY, who married Elizabeth McCarty and dsp 1712, being succeeded by his cousin,

DENNIS McGILLYCUDDY, who married, in 1717, Anne, daughter of John Blennerhassett, by whom he had issue, with four daughters,

DENNIS, his heir;
CORNELIUS, succeeded his brother;
John, dsp;
Philip, dsp.

He died in 1730, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

DENNIS McGILLYCUDDY (1718-35), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

CORNELIUS McGILLYCUDDY (1721-82), who wedded, in 1745, Catherine, daughter of Richard Chute, of Tullygaron, and had issue,

Denis, b 1747; d unm;
RICHARD, succeeded his father;
FRANCIS, succeeded his brother;
Daniel;
Eusebius;
Cornelius;
Charity; Mary Anne; Margaret; Ruth; Avis; Agnes.

The eldest surviving son,

RICHARD McGILLYCUDDY (1750-1826), of The Reeks, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1793, espoused, in 1780, Arabella Mullins, daughter of Thomas, 1st Baron Ventry.

He dsp 1826, and was succeeded by his brother,

FRANCIS JOHN McGILLYCUDDY (1751-1820), of The Reeks, who wedded Catherine, widow of Darby McGill, and daughter of Denis Mahony, of Dromore, County Kerry, and had issue,

RICHARD, his heir;
Denis;
Daniel;
Frances; Mary Catherine; Elizabeth.

Mr McGillycuddy was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD McGILLYCUDDY (1790-1866), of The Reeks, who married firstly, in 1814, Margaret (d 1827), only daughter of Dr John Bennett, and had issue, a daughter, Dorothea.

He wedded secondly, in 1849, Anna, daughter of Captain John Johnstone, of Mamstone Court, Herefordshire, and had further issue,

RICHARD PATRICK, his heir;
DENIS DONOUGH CHARLES, of The Reeks;
John;
Charles;
Niell;
Agnes; Anna Catherine; Mary Ruth; Sylvia Emily.

Mr McGillycuddy was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD PATRICK McGILLYCUDDY (1850-71), of The Reeks, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

DENIS DONOUGH CHARLES McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS (1852-1921), DSO, Lieutenant RN, who married, in 1881, Gertrude Laura, second daughter of Edmond Miller, of Ringwood, Massachusetts, USA, and had issue,

ROSS KINLOCH; his heir;
Richard Hugh (1883-1918).

The elder son,

ROSS KINLOCH McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS (1882-1950), DSO, Lieutenant, 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, wedded Victoria, daughter of Edward Courage, of Shenfield Place, Essex, and had issue,

JOHN PATRICK, his heir;
DERMOT;
Denis Michael Edmond (1917-44);
Phyllida Anne.

Mr McGillycuddy was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN PATRICK McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS (1909-59), who wedded, in 1945, Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Major John Ellison Otto, and had issue,

RICHARD DENIS WYER;
Sarah Elizabeth.

Mr McGillycuddy was succeeded by his only son,

RICHARD DENIS WYER McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS (1948-2004), who married, in 1984, Virginia Lucy, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon Hugh Waldorf Astor, and had issue,

Tara Virginia, b 1985;
Sorcha Alexander, b 1990.

Richard McGillycuddy was succeeded in the title by his first cousin,

(DERMOT PATRICK) DONOUGH McGILLYCUDDY OF THE REEKS (1939-), who married, in 1964, Wendy O'Connor, daughter of George Spencer, and has issue,

PIERS EDWARD DONOUGH, b 1965;
Michael Dermot, b 1968;
Jocelyn Patrick Spencer, b 1970;
Lavinia O'Connor, b 1966.

THE REEKS, near Beaufort, County Kerry, is a two-storey, five-bay, late Georgian house.

It has an eaved roof and pilastered porch, doubled in length with an extension of the same height and style.

Effectively this forms a continuous front of ten bays, the original porch, no longer central, remaining the entrance.

The two end bays of the extension protrude slightly.


AT THE end of the 19th century, before the Land Purchase Acts, Richard McGillycuddy's grandfather, whose mother had injected American money into the family, distinguished himself in the 1st World War, winning the DSO and the Légion d'Honneur.

From 1928 to 1936, he sat in the Senate of the Irish Free State as a supporter of the moderate WT Cosgrave and an opponent of the republican Eamon de Valera.

In the 2nd World War, he returned to the colours and became a regular informant on what was happening in neutral Ireland.

His grandson, Richard Denis Wyer McGillycuddy, was born in 1948. Richard's father, the senator's son, who had succeeded in 1950, himself died in 1959 as a result of wounds sustained during the 2nd World War in the Northampton Yeomanry.

At the time Richard was only 10 and still at his preparatory school before going on to Eton.

His English mother, although never feeling at home in Ireland, carried on dutifully at Beaufort to preserve the family inheritance for her son.

Every August, she organised a rather gentrified cricket match played on the lawn of the house - but it was abandoned around 1970 after young Richard, who had little interest in cricket and was not watching, was knocked unconscious by a mighty drive by a visitor who had played for the Cambridge Crusaders.

The young McGillycuddy's passion was cars, and he went into the motor trade in London after a brief sojourn at the University of Aix-en-Provence.

He was unreceptive to the efforts of his uncle Dermot, a Dublin solicitor much beloved of McGillycuddys of every class and creed, to interest him in Ireland.

Tall and dashing, the rugged and auburn-haired young McGillycuddy of the Reeks was much in demand in London among the Sloane Rangers.

Eventually, in 1983, at the age of 35, he married Virginia Astor, the granddaughter of the 1st Lord Astor of Hever.

Feeling that he had little in common with the local people in Kerry, McGillycuddy decided to sell The Reeks, and moved to France, where he acted as a property consultant to prospective British purchasers of chateaux and lesser French properties.

After the birth of his second daughter in 1990, the family returned to live in Ireland - not, however, in their ancestral territory, but nearer Dublin, where they rented a succession of houses, the last of them in Westmeath.

He continued to dabble in property, and latterly sold insurance; but it was a handicap that his upper-class English demeanour disappointed expectations raised by his Irish-sounding name.

Although he could be charming in the appropriate company, he did not relate well to Irish people outside his own class.

Meanwhile, despite poor health, his wife carved out a niche for herself doing valuable work as a prison visitor.

McGillycuddy was active in the council of Irish chieftains who had been recognised by the Irish Genealogical Office.

Richard McGillycuddy was survived by his wife and two daughters.

He was succeeded by his first cousin, Donogh, who lives in South Africa.

First published in March, 2013.

Garbally Court

THE EARLS OF CLANCARTY WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY GALWAY, WITH 23,896 ACRES

The TRENCHES are of ancient French extraction, and take their name from the Seigneurie of LA TRANCHE, in Poitou, of which they were formerly possessed.

The first of the family in England was

FRÉDÉRIC DE LA TRANCHE, or TRENCH, who fled from France after the massacre of St Bartholomew, and took up his abode in Northumberland about 1575.

He married, in 1576, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Sutton, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;
James (Rev), Rector of Clongill, m Margaret, daughter of Hugh, Viscount Montgomery;
Adam Thomas.

Mr Trench thereafter crossed into Scotland, where he died in 1580.

The eldest son,

THOMAS TRENCH, married, in 1610, Catherine, daughter of Richard Brooke, of Pontefract, Yorkshire, and had issue,

FREDERICK, of whom we treat;
John (Very Rev), Dean of Raphoe; ancestor of BARON ASHTOWN.

The elder son,

FREDERICK RICHARD TRENCH (1681-1752), MP for Galway County, 1715-52, succeeded at Garbally; from whom descended the 1st Earl's grandfather, Richard Trench, who espoused Elizabeth, second daughter of John Eyre, of Eyre Court, County Galway; and was grandfather of

RICHARD TRENCH (1710-68), MP for Banagher, 1735-61, Galway County, 1761-68, who wedded, in 1732, Frances, only daughter and heir of David Power, descended from the Barons de la Poer, and, in the female line, from the Lords Muskerry, afterwards Earls of Clancarty, by the marriage of John Power with Elena, daughter of Cormac, Lord Muskerry.

Through this marriage, Mr Trench obtained the united fortunes of the families of POWER and KEATING.

He died in 1768, having had issue,

FREDERICK and DAVID, both died in infancy;
WILLIAM POWER KEATING, of whom hereafter;
John, a major in the army;
Eyre, a Lt-Gen in the army;
Nicholas;
Elizabeth;
Hester;
Rose;
Jane;
Anne, m C Cobbe, of Newbridge.

Mr Trench's eldest surviving son,

WILLIAM POWER KEATING TRENCH (1741-1805), MP for County Galway, 1768-97, was elevated to the peerage, in 1797, in the dignities of Baron Kilconnel, of Garbally, County Galway, and Viscount Dunlo, of Dunlo and Ballinasloe, in the counties of Galway and Roscommon.

His lordship was further advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1803, as EARL OF CLANCARTY (2nd creation), in consequence of of his descent from Elena MacCarty, wife of John Power, daughter of Cormac Oge MacCarty, Viscount Muskerry, and sister of Donough MacCarty, Earl of Clancarty in the reign of CHARLES II.

He wedded, in 1762, Anne, eldest daughter of the Rt Hon Charles Gardiner, and sister of Luke, 1st Lord Mountjoy, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Power (Most Rev), Lord Archbishop of Tuam;
William, Rear-Admiral;
Charles (Ven), Archdeacon of Ardagh;
Thomas;
Luke Henry;
Robert le Poer (Sir), KCB;
Florinda; Anne; Elizabeth; Harriet; Frances; Louisa; Emily.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD LE POER, 2nd Earl (1767-1837), GCB, PC,

Who was created a peer of the United Kingdom, as BARON TRENCH, 1815, and raised to an English viscountcy, in 1824, as VISCOUNT CLANCARTY. 

In 1813, his lordship was appointed ambassador to The Hague, and was created by the King of the Netherlands, in 1818, Marquess of Heusden, having obtained permission of his own Sovereign to accept the said honour.

Lord Clancarty wedded, in 1796, Henrietta Margaret, second daughter of the Rt Hon John Staples, and had issue,

WILLIAM THOMAS, his successor;
Richard John;
Robert;
Louisa Augusta Anne; Harriette Margaret; Emily Florinda; Lucy.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM THOMAS, 3rd Earl.

• William Thomas Le Poer Trench, 3rd Earl (1803–72);

• Richard Somerset Le Poer Trench, 4th Earl (1834–91);

• William Frederick Le Poer Trench, 5th Earl (1868–1929);

• Richard Frederick John Donough Le Poer Trench, 6th Earl (1891–1971);

• Greville Sydney Rocheforte Le Poer Trench, 7th Earl (1902–75);

• William Francis Brinsley Le Poer Trench, 8th Earl (1911–95);

• Nicholas Power Richard Le Poer Trench, 9th Earl (b 1952).

There is no heir to the peerages.

GARBALLY COURT, Ballinasloe, County Galway, is a large, austere, two-storey mansion, built in 1819 to replace an earlier house burnt in 1798.

It is square, built round what was originally a central courtyard.

The eleven-bay entrance front has a single-storey Doric porte-cochere.

There is an adjoining front, also of eleven bays, with pediments over the ground-floor windows.

The rear elevation has a single-storey curved bow.

The hall boasts Ionic pilasters and niches, with an arch leading to a grand picture gallery, built in the central courtyard about 1855.

The 5th Earl of Clancarty sold Garbally Court in 1907, following the decimation of his estate caused by the Irish Land Acts.

Garbally College, a Roman Catholic boys' school, purchased Garbally Court in 1922.

First published in December, 2012.  Clancarty arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Brackenber Prospectus: III

ADMISSION

Boys are received from the age of seven into the Main School and may remain until fourteen.

The normal and uninterrupted preparatory course being five to six years, boys are expected to remain at the school for at least half this period.

To enter a boy it is necessary to complete the entry form enclosed, and to pay an entry fee of one guinea.

REPORTS

A short report on each boy in the Main School is sent out at half-term, and a detailed Report is sent at the end of the Term.

SCHOOL TERMS

There are three Terms in the School Year, beginning about January 15th, April 20th and September 6th.

PRE-PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT

Boys under the age of seven enter the Junior School, which is divided into a Transition and two Kindergarten forms, and pass to the Main School before their eighth birthday; to ensure individual attention the number of boys in this department is limited. Class hours - Mornings only.

REMOVAL

One full Term's notice, given in writing, or the payment of a term's Fees, is required before Removal. Fees are not returnable in any circumstances.

DRESS

All boys wear the School cap, tie and stockings (which may be obtained only from School outfitters*). 

The School blazer is compulsory for Cricket, and School shirts for Football.

*Messrs. Warnock - Royal Avenue
*Messrs. Wood Stuart - Howard Street

INTERVIEWS

By appointment only.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Boxing - £1 0s 0d. a Term
Swimming - £1 0s 0d. a Term
Judo - £1 10s 0d. a Term
Lunch - 3s 6d. a Day

A reduction of Fees will gladly be made, if required, to the sons of clergymen, and in the case of two or more brothers being in the School at the same time.


This concludes my series of the Brackenber Prospectus.

First published in February, 2011.

Brackenber Prospectus: II

HOME-WORK

Very little home-work is required of the younger boys but about 1½ hours' preparation every evening is expected of the Upper Forms.

The work set should be done without any outside help, and may be prepared under supervision at the school, from 4pm to 5pm. on work afternoons and from 4.30-5.30 on Games days.

GAMES

Games are played on two afternoons a week in the Winter terms and on three afternoons in the Summer, and all boys are expected to take part in them.

They are carefully coached under the supervision of the Headmaster, and keenness is encouraged.

The Ground is at Ormeau (by arrangement with the North of Ireland Cricket and Football club).

The games played are Cricket, Association and Rugby Football and Table Tennis.

Athletic Sports take place during the Summer Term.

Boxing, Judo and Swimming, though voluntary, are encouraged.

Boxing and Judo lessons are given at the School and boys learning Swimming attend the Baths once a week during the Summer Term.

A systematic course of Physical Training is given twice a week.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is in the hands of the Headmaster.

Boys are required to attend School punctually and regularly.

Sickness is the only recognised reason for absence, unless permission from the Headmaster has been previously obtained.

The conduct of boys outside the School will be dealt with by the Headmaster if it is of such a kind as to reflect discredit on the School.

SPECIAL FEATURES

In the Upper Forms English Classics are read, and the boys' reading of good literature is encouraged.

A Recitation competition takes place at the end of each term.

For the purpose of encouraging keenness in work and games the School is divided into four "Sections", between which there is continuous competition.

The School has a Debating Society, a small Library and a Chess Club, which are run by the boys themselves, under supervision of a member of the Staff.

Part III shall include Admission, Reports, School Terms, Removal and Dress.

First published in February, 2011.

Killakee House

THE BARONS MASSY WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 3,422 ACRES

The first of this noble family that settled in Ireland was GENERAL HUGH MASSY, who had a military command to repress the rebellion of 1641. General Massy was descended from HAMON DE MASSEY, one of the companions in arms of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, who obtained large grants of the counties of Durham and Cheshire, and was created Baron of Dunham Massey.

General Massy married Margaret Percy, by whom he had issue,

HUGH MASSY, of Duntrileague, County Limerick, who wedded Amy, daughter of John Benson, and had issue,

HUGH, his heir;
John;
William;
Margaret; Amy.

The eldest son,

COLONEL HUGH MASSY (1685-1757), of Duntrileague, espoused Elizabeth, daughter of the Rt Hon George Hampden Evans MP, and had issue,

HUGH, his heir;
George, Archdeacon of Ardfert;
John, killed in a duel;
Godfrey, in holy orders;
William;
EYRE, created BARON CLARINA;
Charles, dsp;
Mary; Amy; Elizabeth; Catherine.

The eldest son,

HUGH MASSY (1700-88), having represented County Limerick in several parliaments, was elevated to the peerage, in 1776, in the dignity of BARON MASSY, of Duntrileague, County Limerick.

His lordship married firstly, Mary, daughter and heir of James Dawson, of Ballynacourte, County Tipperary, and had issue,

HUGH, his successor;
James;
John;
Elizabeth.

The 1st Baron wedded secondly, Rebecca, daughter of Francis Delap, of Antigua, and by that lady had three other sons and five other daughters, viz.

Francis Hugh;
Eyre;
George;
Margaret; Rebecca; Frances; Caroline; Amy.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HUGH, 2nd Baron (1733-90), who married, in 1760, Catherine, eldest daughter and co-heir of Edward Taylor, of Ballymore, County Limerick, and had issue,

HUGH, his successor;
Edward;
George Eyre;
John;
Catherine; Mary Anne; Jane; Sarah.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HUGH, 3rd Baron (1761-1812), who wedded, in 1792, Margaret, youngest daughter of William Barton, of Grove, County Tipperary, and had issue,

HUGH HAMON, his successor;
George William;
John;
Grace Elizabeth; Catherine; Susan Maria; Margaret Everina; Elizabeth Jane Sarah Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HUGH HAMON, 4th Baron (1793-1836), who married, in 1826, Matilda, youngest daughter of LUKE WHITE, of Woodlands, County Dublin, and had issue,

HUGH HAMON INGOLDSBY;
John George Hugh.

THIS marriage brought the Massy family to Killakee, where Luke White had lands and a house.

The 5th Baron died young, and the 6th Baron, a young man of 19, inherited up to 38,000 acres.

He was very fond of the affluent life with little regard for money matters. Huge parties took place at Killakee and numerous hunting expeditions both there and in Limerick.

His great-grandson, the 6th Baron, sat in the House of Lords from 1876 to 1915.

As of 2010, the title is held by the latter's great-great-grandson, the 10th Baron, who succeeded his father in 1995.

KILLAKEE HOUSE, near Rathfarnham, County Dublin, was a two-storey, stucco-faced house of symmetrical aspect with a curved bow in the centre front and similar bows in the gables.

It contained thirty-six rooms, a balustraded parapet to the roof, a veranda with slender iron uprights and a balcony above along the centre of the front, which gave the house the appearance of a Mediterranean villa.

The Killakee estate contained the infamous Hellfire Club on the summit of Montpelier Hill.

When Luke White acquired the estate, the Hellfire Club was already in a ruinous state.

In 1878, the total landholdings of the extended Massy/Massey families in Ireland amounted to over 98,000 acres. The landholdings of John Thomas, 6th Baron Massy, consisted of 8,568 acres in County Limerick, 24,751 acres in County Leitrim (acquired through the Whites), and 1,120 acres in County Tipperary, a total of 34,439 acres.

The estate at Killakee was, at that time, still in the registered ownership of Mrs Anne Salisbury White, Samuel White’s widow.

Mrs White died in 1880 and in her will she left Killakee House and 3,422 acres, including the magnificent gardens, to her late husband’s nephew, John Thomas, 6th Baron Massy.

Her sister-in-law, the Dowager Baroness Massy (Luke White’s daughter, and mother of the 6th Baron) died at her home, Milford.

The final demise of Killakee House came in 1941 when the bank, which had maintained a caretaker on the premises since 1924, and unable to find a purchaser, sold the house to a builder for salvage.

Having removed the slates, roof timbers, floors and other saleable items, the builder demolished the house.

It was an event that must have had a profound impact on Hamon Massy, occurring as it did in full sight of his little cottage.

Although he had no alternative, living in the shadow of his former mansion was probably not helpful in putting the past behind him.

The Killakee Woods were taken over by the Irish Forestry Department.

The demolition of Killakee House was a most unfortunate turn of events: Thousands of Ascendancy mansions were built in Ireland.

Killakee House, however, both in its style and location overlooking Dublin City and bay, was a house of particular merit.

This aspect of the house was obviously noted by the bank, which paid a caretaker for 17 years to keep the house secure.

In 1941, with the 2nd World War raging in Europe, it was evident to the bank that a buyer was not going to be found.

It decided to cut its loses and sold the house for its salvage value.

In 2001, sixty years after the event , Charles Guinness, of Tibradden House, recalled the demolition of Killakee House,

”In 1941, as a young boy, I walked up to Killakee with my mother when it was being demolished." 

"The monkey-puzzle trees remained impressive and the huge glass-houses were still standing but vegetation had broken through the roofs." 

"There was a melancholy atmosphere of decay and desolation. We salvaged a piece of stone and walked home sadly.” 

EXTRACTS FROM THIS ARTICLE ARE BY KIND PERMISSION OF FRANK TRACY, AUTHOR OF IF THOSE TREES COULD SPEAK: THE STORY OF AN ASCENDANCY FAMILY IN IRELAND.

 First published in May, 2013.

Hollymount Visit

At Hollymount Church (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

I was drawn back to Ballydugan and Hollymount in June, 2021.

This special haven is situated deep in the luscious County Down countryside, a few miles from Downpatrick.

From Downpatrick, drive past the racecourse, under the old railway bridge, and after a mile or so, veer right towards Ballydugan.

On my arrival at Ballydugan there were several large television production lorries parked at Ballydugan Mill; classic 1960s cars were strategically parked at the Lakeside Inn and the Lake House (viz. an immaculate Ford Cortina 1600E, Austin Cambridge, Jaguar E Type, Ford Granada and some others).

Ballydugan Lake and the Lake House had, in fact, been transformed into a period film set for the television drama Dalgliesh.

THE LAKE HOUSE was transformed into an establishment called The Black Swan, with cast-iron tables and chairs on the lawn outside.

There were two police officers on traffic duty, both of whom I chatted to.

Hollymount House (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

I parked the car opposite the Lakeside Inn, and from there I walked for about twenty-five minutes to the lost demesne of Hollymount, deep in the woods.

The old Georgian mansion house is not easy to find, though it is adjacent to the main track.

Hollymount House (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

The remains of Hollymount are enveloped in ivy and undergrowth; even a few trees grow within the walls.

These are mature trees, perhaps ninety or one hundred years old.

Hollymount House (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

The walls appear to be largely intact, though there is abundant rubble on the ground within them.

I wandered about the former cellars, and some render or plaster remains.

Not far from the mansion was the walled garden, which I looked for; no trace of it, however, exists.

There was also a bowling-green not far from the mansion house.

Hollymount Chapel of Ease (Image: Down & Connor Church Accommodation society, 1839)

Having walked back to the car I drove a mile or so past the lake to Hollymount Church, built in 1840 and recently restored.

Intriguingly, a romantic engraving of about 1840 shows a stone wall and water close to the church; whereas today the main road passes that spot.

(Image: Down and Connor Church Accommodation Society, 1839)

The proprietor of the Lakeside Inn had left a note on my car, informing me that she had in her possession a history of Hollymount, should I wish to avail of it; so I do intend to pay a visit to the inn on an evening at some stage.

Click to Enlarge (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

I had a flask of coffee and egg & onion sandwiches in the church grounds.

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

In the church graveyard was the grave of CAPTAIN MICHAEL TORRENS-SPENCE DSO DSC AFC RN, of DRUMCULLEN HOUSE, Ballydugan, Lord-Lieutenant of County Armagh, 1981-9.

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

Freemen of Belfast: 1900-10

HONORARY BURGESSES OF THE CITY OF BELFAST

ELECTED AND ADMITTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELFAST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL PRIVILEGE (IRELAND) ACT, 1875

3  The Most Hon Frederick Temple Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, KP GCB GCSI GCMG GCIE PC ~ 1900

4  The Most Hon Charles Marquess of Londonderry, KG GCVO PC JP DL ~ 1900

5  Sir George Stuart White VC GCB OM GCSI GCMG GCIE GCVO ~ 1900

6  The Right Hon Frederick Sleigh Earl Roberts VC KG KP GCB OM GCSI GCIE PC ~ 1900

7  The Right Hon Sir Daniel Dixon Bt JP DL ~ 1904

8  The Right Hon Margaret Montgomery Viscountess Pirrie ~ 1904

9  Sir Donald Currie GCMG ~ 1906

10  The Right Hon Anthony Earl of Shaftesbury KP GCVO CBE PC ~ 1908

11  Sir Robert Hart Bt GCMG ~ 1908

12  Andrew Carnegie Esq ~ 1910

13 The Right Hon Sir John Newell Jordan GCMG GCIE KCB  ~ 1910

First published in August, 2012.

Freemen of Belfast: 1898-99

HONORARY BURGESSES OF THE CITY OF BELFAST

Elected and admitted by the Council of the City of Belfast under the municipal privilege (Ireland) Act, 1875:-

1898 The Right Hon William James, Viscount Pirrie KP PC

1899 Thomas Henry Ismay

First published in July, 2012.

Drumboe Castle

THE HAYES BARONETS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DONEGAL, WITH 22,285 ACRES

This family had been settled in Ireland from the period of the civil wars, during the reign of CHARLES I, when Edmund Hayes went over with Cromwell's party, and attained the rank of Colonel in his army; but whether he was of English or Scots ancestry is uncertain.

CHALLIS HAYES, son of Challis Hayes, of Bridgwater, Somerset, Vice-Consul at Lisbon, married Miss Deborah Holditch, of Totnes, Devon.

Mr Hayes was murdered by his servant at Lisbon in 1737, and left an only surviving son,

SAMUEL HAYES, who married Mary, daughter and heiress of William Basil, of Drumboe Castle, County Donegal, and of Wilton Park, Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

SAMUEL, his heir;
Mary; Frances.

The only son,

SAMUEL HAYES (1737-1807), MP for Augher, 1783-90, married Mary, daughter of William Basil (previously Ball), of Wilton Park, Buckinghamshire, and Drumboe Castle.

Mr Hayes was created a baronet in 1789, designated of Drumboe Castle, County Donegal.

Sir Samuel was succeeded by his son,

SIR SAMUEL HAYES, 2nd Baronet (1773-1827), of Drumboe Castle, who married, in 1803, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Lighton Bt, and had issue,

EDMUND SAMUEL, his heir;
Anne; Harriet; Mary.

Sir Samuel was succeeded by his only son,

SIR EDMUND SAMUEL HAYES, 3rd Baronet (1806-60), of Drumboe Castle, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1830, MP for County Donegal, 1831-60, founding member of the Carlton Club, who wedded, in 1837, Emily, daughter of the Hon Hercules Robert Pakenham, son of Edward, 2nd Baron Longford.

His eldest son and heir,

SIR SAMUEL HERCULES HAYES, 4th Baronet (1840-1901), of Drumboe Castle, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1884-7, wedded, in 1878, Alice Anne, daughter of James, 4th Viscount Lifford and had issue, a daughter, Alice Emily Hayes.

Sir Samuel died without male issue, when the title devolved upon his brother,

SIR EDMUND FRANCIS HAYES, 5th and last baronet (1850-1912), of Drumboe Castle, who married Alice Isabella, daughter of Judge Wilkinson, of Sydney, Australia, in 1900.

Sir Edmund died at Drumboe Castle, when the baronetcy became extinct.

Lady Hayes died in 1933 from injuries sustained, namely, a fractured skull, after stepping in front of a tramcar in Sydney, Australia.

DRUMBOE CASTLE, near Stranorlar, County Donegal, comprised a three-storey centre with a three-sided centre bow and pillared porch; and bow-ended wings.

The Georgian dwelling is thought to have been built ca 1770 or 1780.

There was a Wyatt window on either side of the centre bow.

In 1622, Robert Redington sold the estate at Ballybofey to Sir Ralph Bingley.

Bingley erected the original Drumboe Castle, which had four large towers.

Its location protected a ford across the river.

After the death of Sir Ralph, his widow, Jane, and Robert Harrington took charge until 1641, when it was granted to Sir William Bazil, Attorney-General for Ireland.

A descendent of Sir William Bazil was William Basil (formerly William Ball), who married Frances Dowdeswell ca 1736.

Their daughter, Mary Basil, married Sir Samuel Hayes Bt and through this marriage it became the home of the Hayes Baronets, of Drumboe Castle, from 1789 until 1912.

It became the General Headquarters for the forces of the Irish Free State in County Donegal during the Irish Civil War.

It is infamous for being the location of the Drumboe massacre during the Irish Civil War.

The house has been ruinous since 1945.

First published in July, 2013.