The Carlton, Belfast

I have received an old marketing brochure for The Carlton café and restaurant, Belfast.

The Carlton was located at 25 Donegall Place from 1912.

Frederick William Henry (Image: Lisa Curtis)

Frederick William Henry was the managing director.

(Image: Lisa Curtis)

Frederick and his wife, Margaret,  owned and ran Ye Olde Castle, the Elcho, the Carlton and Queen's Arcade.

(Image: Lisa Curtis)

The Carlton extended back to Fountain Street, and included numbers 30-32 Fountain Street to its rear.

(Image: Lisa Curtis)

The Carlton operated here until about 1954; whence it relocated to 11, Wellington Place, as the Carlton Grill and Lounge Bar, where it remained until its closure in the mid-1990s.

(Image: Lisa Curtis)

I'm grateful to David Thompson for this information.

25 Donegall Place is the oldest extant building on the thoroughfare.

It was built in 1790-91 by Roger Mulholland as part of a terrace of three houses.

Donegall Place frontage

The premises extended back as far as Fountain Street, where there was once another entrance (the premises today are known as Carlton House).

Throughout the 20th century, 25-27 Donegall Place was used as a café and a retail shop.

The stained-glass canopy, which was added for the Carlton, had been removed by at least the 1950s when Saxone Shoes acquired the site and installed a modern shopfront.

They (subsequently renamed Freeman, Hardy & Willis) continued to operate from the premises until at least 1976.

25 Donegall Place in February, 2024 (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

In 1993 the building had been taken over by Trueform.

The directors of The Carlton in 1974 were as follows: Henry Toner; David Andrews; Dawson Moreland; Samuel Meharg; James S Andrews; Thomas Baker.

main restaurant

The main restaurant in Donegall Place boasted alternate panels of mirror plate and rose-coloured silk, surrounded by mauve decorations between substantial pilasters.

At the rear, a large soda fountain was installed which dispensed "iced beverages, ices and iced fruits."

The restaurant was approached through the shop.

The Locksley Hall restaurant was located behind the restaurant.

This room had Romanesque mahogany pilasters with gold-bound panels of Oriental, atmospheric, prismatic colouring, producing a cheerful "Plein Air" feeling.

The ceiling was painted in delicate tints of pale sage green and antique ivory.

It extended to over 2,800 square feet and could be subdivided.

There was an entrance from Fountain Street.

The Oak Room

The Oak Room was described thus:-

a regal apartment of comfort and elegance, panelled in natural oak, elaborately carved with all the correctness of detail and charm of execution of the LOUIS XV period; and relieved by smaller panels of rich tapestry of antique colour and design.

On two sides of the room, large mirrors were inserted in the oak walls.

An Oriental carpet graced the floor.

On the first floor from the shop was The Ladies' Room, "a beautiful apartment overlooking Donegall Place."

It was decorated in subdued tones of blue and gold, and "most exquisitely furnished."

The Smoke Room was on the second floor, "a most comfortable and restful apartment, overlooking Donegall Place."

It was beautified in the Jacobean style and contained "all the comforts of a luxurious divan."

The Balcony

The Balcony was available for dining or afternoon tea.

The Grand Ballroom was beside the Balcony:

Passing the celebrated Herbert Mortimer Orchestra, we mount a few steps and enter the GRAND BALLROOM, a veritable salon, both in purity of style and correctness of detail, reminiscent of that famous period of refinement and elegance - Louis Quinze.

The Grand Ballroom

The colour scheme was ivory white, with delicate shades of shell pink and pastel blue, enhanced by an oak parquetry floor.

This ballroom had a floorspace of 3,200 square feet and seated 300 or up to 400 for dancing.

It had a separate entrance from Fountain Street.

As a matter of interest, the Carlton operated a bakery in Donegall Avenue.

25 Donegall Place was fitted out in February, 2024, for Lunn’s the Jewellers, and has been re-painted in the same colour as the frontage of Queen’s Arcade.

It is now a Rolex watch showroom.

First published in February, 2016.

Cross of Dartan

THE CROSSES OWNED 1,090 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ARMAGH

This Lancashire family settled in Ulster at the time of the Plantation, 1611, in the parish of Tynan, County Armagh. From a tombstone in Tynan churchyard it appears that JAMES CROSS was buried there in 16_8 (the third figure is indecipherable and the church books for a lengthened period are not forthcoming).

Two of his sons, JOHN and WILLIAM, were amongst the defenders of Londonderry, who signed the address to WILLIAM & MARY on the relief of that city in 1689, when they returned to County Armagh, where the descendants of John fixed their abode.

William Cross died unmarried.

JOHN CROSS died in 1742, having had issue by his wife, Jane, five sons and three daughters.

The eldest son,

RICHARD CROSS, of Dartan, succeeded his father, and died in 1776, having had issue by his wife, Margaret, two sons and four daughters.

The second son and successor,

WILLIAM CROSS, of Dartan, married, in 1743, Mrs Mary Stratford, of Dartan (née Irwin), and had issue,

Richard, dsp;
William Irwin (1785-1809);
JOHN, of whom presently;
MAXWELL, succeeded his brother;
Mary.

William Cross, Deputy Governor of County Armagh, 1793, died in 1812, and was succeeded by his third son,

JOHN CROSS (1787-1850), of Dartan, an army officer who saw much service in the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry during the Peninsular War.

He accompanied the expedition to Sweden in 1807, and proceeded thence to Portugal, 1808.

He took part in the battle of Corunna, the actions preceding it, and all the subsequent campaigns wit the 52nd regiment; Battle of Waterloo, and occupation of Paris; thrice wounded; received the War Medal with ten clasps, also the Waterloo Medal; subsequently commanded the 68th Light Infantry, from which regiment he retired in 1843.

Colonel Cross, Lieutenant-Governor commanding the forces in Jamaica, was a Member of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.

He died in 1850, and was succeeded by his brother,

MAXWELL CROSS JP DL (1790-1863), of Dartan, High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1847, who wedded Sarah, daughter of William Hardy JP, and was succeeded by his only son,

WILLIAM CROSS JP DL (1815-82), of Dartan, High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1860, Captain and Adjutant, 68th Light Infantry, Colonel-Commandant, Armagh Light Infantry Militia, who espoused, in 1844, Frances Jane, only daughter of Major-General Pennell Cole, Royal Engineers, and had issue,

Maxwell (1845-69);
WILLIAM PENNELL, his heir;
SARAH JANE BEAUCHAMP, succeeded her brother.

The second son,

WILLIAM PENNELL CROSS JP LL.B (1849-1906), of Dartan, married, in 1883, Beatrice Lucinda, daughter of the Rev Dominick Augustus Browne, and dsp 1906, when he was succeeded by his only sister,

MRS SARAH JANE BEAUCHAMP COOKE-CROSS (-1911), who wedded, in 1887, ARTHUR CHARLES INNES, of Dromantine, who assumed  the additional surname and arms of CROSS, and had issue,

ARTHUR CHARLES WOLSELEY, of Dromantine (1888-1940);
Sydney Maxwell (1894-1914);
Marian Dorothea (d 1965).

MRS INNES-CROSS married secondly, in 1907, HERBERT MARTIN COOKE (eldest son the Mason Cooke, of Ely), who assumed, in 1908, the additional name and arms of CROSS.

DARTAN HALL, near Killylea, County Armagh, is situated 6 miles east of the city of Armagh.

The present house was built between 1850-60 by the Cross family.

The house comprises two storeys over a basement.

It remained inhabited by the Cross family until 1906, when it was leased to a son of the Very Rev Robert Shaw-Hamilton, Dean of Armagh.

The property subsequently passed to the Knox family, when it lay vacant for many years.

John Erskine acquired the property in 1987, since when it has been extensively restored.

First published in February, 2018.  Innes-Cross arms courtesy of the NLI.

County of Fermanagh

An inland county, Ulster's Lakeland, bounded on the north by County Tyrone, and County Donegal; on the north-east, by Tyrone; on the east, by Tyrone, and County Monaghan; on the south and south-west, by County Cavan; and on the west by counties Cavan and Leitrim.

Its boundary line, though occasionally formed by lakes, streams and watersheds, is so very interruptedly natural, and so generally artificial, that it may be pronounced altogether and even curiously capricious.

Its outline is roughly that of an oblong, extending from east-south-east to west-north-west; yet it may be more closely described as including a broad parallelogram in the direction of west by north, and an irregular sub-added feature of nearly equal area, and extending towards the north-west.

Its greatest length is about 35 miles; its greatest breadth, 20; and its area comprises about 457,000 acres, including 47,000 acres of water.

The county town is Enniskillen.

Cuilcagh Mountain, at 2,182 feet, is the highest peak.

First published in February, 2018.

1st Baron Killanin

THE BARONS KILLANIN OWNED 1,274 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY GALWAY

The family of MORRIS is one of the "Tribes of Galway", an expression first used by Cromwell's soldiers in 1652. So far back as 1486 Richard Morris was Bailiff of Galway under a charter granted in 1485 by RICHARD III to the inhabitants of Galway, empowering them to elect a mayor and two bailiffs.

From him were lineally descended John Morris, Bailiff of Galway, 1501; William Morris, Mayor of Galway, 1527; Andrew Morris, Mayor of Galway, 1588; George Morris, Bailiff of Galway, 1588; John Morris, of Galway; Andrew Morris, of Galway; and James Morris, of Galway.

GEORGE MORRIS, of Spiddal, County Galway (son of JAMES MORRIS), served in JAMES II's army.

He married, in 1684, Catherine, daughter of John Fitzpatrick, of Loughmore, in the south island of Arran, whose nephew Richard Fitzpatrick represented Galway in the Irish parliament, 1749-61.

By this marriage the property of Spiddal was acquired.

His only son,

ANDREW MORRIS, of Spiddal and Galway, wedded Monica Browne, of the family of Gloves, near Athenry, and had two sons,

George;
JAMES, of whom we treat.

The second son,

JAMES MORRIS (1732-1813), of Spiddal and Galway, espoused, in 1762, Deborah, daughter of Nicholas Lynch, of Galway, and had issue,

Ambrose;
Michael;
MARTIN, of whom hereafter;
Monica; Mary.

His third son,

MARTIN MORRIS JP (1784-1862), of Spiddal and Galway, High Sheriff of Galway, 1841, married, in 1822, Julia, daughter of Dr Charles Blake, of Galway, and had two sons and two daughters,

MICHAEL, of whom presently;
George (Sir), KCB DL MP etc;
Jane Caroline; Lizzie.

Mr Morris's elder son,

THE RT HON SIR MICHAEL MORRIS QC (1826-1901), of Spiddal and Galway, wedded, in 1860, Anna, daughter of Henry George Hughes, Baron of the Court of Exchequer in Ireland. and had issue,

MARTIN HENRY FITZPATRICK, his heir;
George Henry, father of the 3rd Baron;
Michael Redmond;
Charles Ambrose;
Lily; Rose Julia; Maud Anna; Mary Kathleen;
Frances Anne; Eileen Elizabeth.

Sir Michael rose to become one of the most distinguished judges of his time, as LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE KING'S BENCH FOR IRELAND, 1887-89.

He was created a baronet, in 1885, designated of Spiddal, County Galway.

Following his appointment as a law lord, in 1889, Sir Michael was elevated to the peerage, in the dignity of BARON KILLANIN, of Galway, County Galway.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

MARTIN HENRY FITZPATRICK, 2nd Baron (1867-1927), PC JP, of Spiddal, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1897.

His lordship was the last Lord-Lieutenant of County Galway, from 1918 until 1922.

He died unmarried, when the titles reverted to his nephew (son of Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon George Henry Morris, Irish Guards),

MICHAEL, 3rd Baron (1914-99), MBE TD, of Spiddal, who espoused, in 1945, (Mary) Sheila Cathcart Dunlop MBE, daughter of the Rev Canon Douglas Lyall Cathcart Dunlop, and had issue,

GEORGE REDMOND FITZPATRICK, his successor;
Michael Francis Leo "Mouse";
John Martin;
Monica Deborah.

His lordship, a journalist, author, and sport official, was renowned for his presidency of the International Olympic Committee.

He was appointed MBE (Military Division), 1945.

The 3rd Baron was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE REDMOND FITZPATRICK, 4th and present Baron, born in 1947, a film producer, who wedded firstly, in 1972, Pauline, daughter of Geoffrey Horton, and had issue,

LUKE MICHAEL GEOFFREY, born in 1975;
Olivia Rose Elizabeth, born in 1974.

He married secondly, in 2000, Sheila Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Lynch.

The present Baron lives in Dublin.

SPIDDAL HOUSE, Spiddal, County Galway, replaced a considerable smaller Georgian house.

The present mansion consists of two and three storeys, in different places.

It was built in 1910 for Martin, 2nd Lord Killanin.

The windows are rectangular, plain, Romanesque-style.

One end of the house features a tower (a belvedere prior to the 1923 fire) with Romanesque columns.

Beside this tower there is a two-storey veranda with further Romanesque columns and arches.

The opposite end has a loggia, joined to the house by a colonnade with an iron balcony.

Spiddal House suffered a fire in 1923 and was subsequently rebuilt in 1931.

The 3rd Baron sold Spittal about 1960.

Former Dublin residence ~ 22 Lower Ftzwilliam Street.

First published in July, 2015.

The Heygate Baronets

This is a branch of the ancient family of HEYGATE, seated in the counties of Essex and Suffolk.

THOMAS HEYGATE (c1533-76), of Hayes, Middlesex, was provost-marshal-general of the army in 1557 which, in alliance with the Spaniards, besieged St Quentin (held by the French), and was subsequently provost-marshal in Scotland.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Stonor, of Stonor; and dying in 1576, was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS HEYGATE JP, of Hayes, Provost-Marshal-General under the Earl of Essex, at the capture of Cadiz, 1596, who wedded Margery, daughter of Ralph Skipwith, of Parkbury, Hertfordshire, and had surviving issue,

Thomas, of Hayes, barrister;
RALPH, of whom presently;
Anne;
Katherine, m R Tyrwhitt, Master of Buck-hounds to CHARLES I;
Letitia, m Dr P Heylin, Prebendary of Westminster.

The second son,

RALPH HEYGATE, settled in London, and married twice; but had issue by his second wife only.

His elder son,

NICHOLAS HEYGATE, who was one of the court of Assistants of Merchant Taylors' Company, and a collector of curious books and writings, who espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Cotton, of Loughton, by whom he had an only surviving child,

ROBERT HEYGATE, of Husband's Bosworth, Leicestershire, who wedded Anne, daughter of John Freeman, and left at his decease, in 1736, an only surviving son,

NICHOLAS HEYGATE (1705-44), of West Haddon, Northamptonshire, espoused Mary Anne, daughter of John Cooke, of Hill Morton, Warwickshire, and had issue,

Robert;
John;
Thomas, father of THOMAS HEYGATE;
Robert, of West Haddon;
Charles;
JAMES, of whom we treat;
Anne; Elizabeth Catherine Frances; Mary; Elizabeth.

Mr Heygate's youngest son,

JAMES HEYGATE (1747-1833), of Aldermanbury in the city of London, and of Hackney, Middlesex, and Southend, Essex, a banker, married, in 1781, Sarah, second daughter of Samuel Unwin, of Sutton, Nottinghamshire, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
James, of Hampstead Heath;
Elizabeth Anne.

Mr Heygate was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM HEYGATE (1782-1844), of Chatham Place, Blackfriars, London, and Holwood, Kent, who wedded, in 1821, Isabella, fourth daughter of Edward Longdon Mackmurdo, of Upper Clapton, Middlesex, and had issue,

FREDERICK WILLIAM, his heir;
William Unwin;
Edward Nicholas;
Robert Henry John.

Mr Heygate, an alderman of the City of London, having served the office of Lord Mayor in 1822, was created a baronet in 1831, designated of Southend, Essex.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR FREDERICK WILLIAM HEYGATE, 2nd Baronet (1822-94), DL, baptized at the Mansion House during the mayoralty of his father and in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of York, who stood sponsor, and at whose wish the baronetcy was conferred. 

Sir Frederick, MP for County Londonderry, 1859-74,  married Marianne Gage in 1851, thus acquiring an estate at Bellarena in County Londonderry.

His eldest son,

SIR FREDERICK GAGE HEYGATE, 3rd Baronet (1854-1940), JP DL, of Bellarena, married, in 1888, Flora, daughter of John Walter.

Sir Frederick, Major, Mid-Ulster Artillery, barrister, lived at Bellarena, County Londonderry, and was Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Londonderry, 1887-88.

His cousin,

SIR JOHN EDWARD NOURSE HEYGATE, 4th Baronet (1903-76), of Bellarena, married firstly, Evelyn Florence Margaret Winifred Gardner, daughter of Herbert, 1st and last Baron Burghclere of Walden, in 1930; and secondly, in 1936, Gwyneth Eliot, daughter of John Eliot Howard Lloyd; and thirdly, in 1951, Dora Luz, daughter of John Harvey.

He is chiefly remembered for his liaison in 1929 with Evelyn Gardner while she was married to Evelyn Waugh. Heygate and Gardner subsequently married, then divorced. He is portrayed as "John Beaver" in Waugh's A Handful of Dust.

Photo Credit: BRIAN McELHERRON

By the 1970s, the 4th Baronet was living alone in Bellarena (above) when, in 1976, he took his own life by shooting himself.

Sir George Lloyd Heygate was the 5th Baronet (1936-91).

Sir Richard John Gage Heygate (b 1940) is the 6th and present Baronet.

It is thought that the Heygates live in London today.

First published in October, 2010.

Terenure House

THE SHAW BARONETS OWNED 996 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DUBLIN

CAPTAIN WILLIAM SHAW (c1651-1734), of Hampshire, son of Captain William Shaw, fought at the battle of the Boyne, 1690, an officer in Colonel Michelburn's foot regiment, was father of

RICHARD SHAW (1673-1729), of Ballinderry, County Tipperary, who married, in 1696, Judith, daughter of Edward Briscoe, and was father of

ROBERT SHAW (1698-1758), of Sandpits, County Kilkenny, who wedded, in 1736, Mary, daughter of Bernard Markham, and had issue,

William;

Thomas;

ROBERT, of whom presently;

Rebecca.

The youngest son,

ROBERT SHAW (1749-96), of Terenure, County Dublin, a merchant in Dublin, Accountant-General of the Post Office, espoused firstly, Mary, daughter of William Higgins, of Higginsbrook, County Meath, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;

Bernard;

Ponsonby;

Thomas;

John;

Mary; Charlotte.

Mr Shaw married secondly, Priscilla Cecilia, daughter of Colonel Robert Armitage, and had further issue,

George;

Lees;

Caroline; Sylvia.

The eldest son,

ROBERT SHAW (1774-1849), of Bushy Park, County Dublin, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1806, MP for Dublin City, 1804-26, Colonel, Royal Dublin Militia, wedded firstly, in 1796, Maria, daughter of Abraham Wilkinson, of Dublin, and had issue,

ROBERT, his successor;

FREDERICK, 3rd Baronet;

Beresford William;

George Augustus (Rev);

Charles;

Charlotte; another daughter.

He espoused secondly, in 1834, Amelia, daughter of Dr Benjamin Spencer, of Bristol.

Mr Shaw was created a baronet in 1821, designated of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT SHAW, 2nd Baronet (1796-1869), DL, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his next brother,

THE RT HON SIR FREDERICK SHAW, 3rd Baronet (1799-1876), Privy Counsellor, MP for Dublin, 1830-32, Dublin University, 1832-48, Recorder of Dublin, who espoused, in 1819, Thomasine Emily, daughter of the Hon George Jocelyn, and had issue,

ROBERT, his successor;

George, Major-General;

Frederic;

Edward Wingfield;

Wilkinson Jocelyn;

Thomasine Harriot; two other daughters.

Sir Frederick was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT SHAW, 4th Baronet (1821-95), DL, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1848, Lieutenant-Colonel, Dublin Militia, who married, in 1852, Catherine Grace, daughter of William Barton, and had issue, a son and successor,

SIR FREDERICK WILLIAM SHAW, 5th Baronet (1858-1927), DSO JP DL, of Bushy Park, Terenure, County Dublin, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Irish Regiment, who wedded, in 1885, Eleanor Hester, daughter of Major Francis Horatio de Vere, and had issue,

ROBERT DE VERE, his successor;

Frederick Charleton;

Annie Kate; Mary Margaret; Grace Eleanor; Eily de Vere.

Sir Frederick was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT DE VERE SHAW, 6th Baronet (1890-1969), MC, who espoused, in 1923, Dorothy Joan, daughter of Thomas Cross, and had issue.

TERENURE HOUSE, County Dublin, is a noble 18th century house, comprising a five-bay front between two curved bows.

There are urns on the pediment.

There is a three-bay pedimented breakfront and a pillared porch.

In 1671, Major Joseph Deane, an officer in Cromwell’s army, purchased Terenure from Talbot for £4,000.

Major Deane, grandfather of the Rt Hon Joseph Deane MP, converted the castle into a mansion and his family held the property until 1789, when most of the land was sold to Abraham Wilkinson, of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

In 1785, Terenure House was leased to Robert Shaw, Accountant-General of the Post Office and a great-great uncle of George Bernard Shaw.

His son, Sir Robert Shaw, 1st Baronet, MP and Lord Mayor of Dublin, acquired the property, which was purchased for him by his father-in-law, Abraham Wilkinson, of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

Mr Wilkinson had already acquired much of the Terenure Estate in 1791.

He added almost 100 acres to the demesne and presented it, along with £10,000, to his only child Maria on her marriage to Robert Shaw, Junior.

Following the death of his father, Shaw came into possession of Terenure House and he sold it, about 1806, to Frederick Bourne, the proprietor of a stage coach business.

The Bournes occupied Terenure House until 1857, and during this period the estate was renowned for its magnificent landscaping, the planting in the grounds, and the extent and content of the glasshouses.

In 1860, the property was purchased by the Carmelite Order, which opened as a secondary school for boys.

From time to time extensions have been added and a fine church was built in 1958.

First published in August, 2018.  Shaw arms courtesy of the NLI.

County of Down

A maritime county in the extreme south-east of Ulster.

It is bounded, on the north-west and north, by County Antrim; on the north-east, by the North Channel; on the east and south-east, by the Irish Sea; on the south, by Carlingford Lough; and on the south-west and west, by County Armagh.

Most of its boundary line with County Antrim is formed by the River Lagan and Belfast Lough; whereas most of that with County Armagh by the Newry Canal and River, and a tiny projecting wing between counties Antrim and Armagh touches the south-east point of Lough Neagh; so that, excepting about 15 miles partly south and partly east of the impingement on Lough Neagh, the county is completely insulated.

Its outline is somewhat ellipsoidal, with the greater axis extending from the north-north-east to the south-south-west; but two considerable indentations occur on opposite sides, so as to form a compression at the line of the shorter axis.

The greatest length, in the direction of south by west from Ballymacormick Point to Cranfield Point, is about 56 miles.

The greatest breadth, in nearly the opposite direction from St John's Point to the south-east corner of Lough Neagh, is approximately 26 miles (as the crow flies).

The area is 514,000 acres.

The tallest mountain in County Down (and Northern Ireland), at 2,790 feet, is Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains.

First published in February, 2018.  Select bibliography ~ Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1841.

Ashbrook House

THE BERESFORD-ASHES WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LONDONDERRY, WITH 10,420 ACRES

The ancient and eminent family of ESSE, ASHE, or D'ESSECOURT, which came over with WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, appears by certified extracts, under the seal of Ulster King of Arms, to have held large estates in the county of Devon, so early as the 11th century; and the line is deducible through more than eighteen generations.

THOMAS ASHE (1529-82), second son of Nicholas Ashe, of Clyst Fornyson in Devon, was the first of the family to settle in Ireland.

Having married and had issue, he was succeeded by his eldest son,

GENERAL SIR THOMAS ASHE (1567-1626), of St John's Abbey, near Trim, County Meath, and Dromshill, County Cavan.

This gentleman received the honour of knighthood at Dublin Castle, in 1603, from Sir George Carey, the Lord Deputy, in recognition of his services to the crown in helping to put down the rebellion in that kingdom.

Sir Thomas was subsequently granted land in County Cavan.

He was rewarded even more handsomely a few years later for his support in the fight against the rebellious Irish earls, and was granted land in County Londonderry.

Over a period of several generations, this branch dropped the E from Ashe, and most references to them are with the surname "Ash".

Sir Thomas died without issue.

His country estate, later known as Ashbrook, was bequeathed to his kinsman, 

JOSIAS ASH, whose son,

JOHN ASH, High Sheriff of Londonderry, 1676, married thrice and had some twenty-four children, a number of whom died young.

One of his sons was Thomas Ash, diarist and defender of Derry.

John Ash reputedly built Ashbrook.

From him the family estate descended to his son,

GEORGE ASH (1679-1729), High Sheriff of Londonderry, 1706, who married, in 1710, his cousin Mary, daughter of John Rankin, in 1710, and had issue (with a daughter, Jane), a son,

GEORGE ASH (1712-1796), of Ashbrook, who, dying without issue, bequeathed Ashbrook to his nephew by marriage,

WILLIAM HAMILTON, son of William Hamilton, by Jane his wife, daughter of George Ash.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM HAMILTON, of Ashbrook, High Sheriff of Londonderry, 1798, who assumed the additional surname of ASH, on succeeding to the estates of his uncle.

Mr Hamilton-Ash wedded, in 1795, Miss Elizabeth Harriet Henderson, and had issue,

WILLIAM HAMILTON, his heir;
George (Rev), Rector of Ballyscullion;
Anne; Jane.

Mr Hamilton-Ash died in 1821, and was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM HAMILTON-ASH JP DL (1803-67), of Ashbrook, who married, in 1827, the Lady Elizabeth Emma Douglas, daughter of the Hon John Douglas and Lady Frances Lascelles, and sister of the Earl of Morton, and had issue,

CAROLINE HAMILTON-ASH (1830-1901), who espoused, in 1853, John Barré Beresford, son of Henry Barré Beresford, of LEARMOUNT CASTLE, County Londonderry, and had issue,

WILLIAM RANDAL HAMILTON, his heir;
Marcus John Barré De La Poer;
Barbara Caroline; Louisa Gertrude Douglas; Emma Clare; Mary Elizabeth.

Mrs Beresford was succeeded by her eldest son,

WILLIAM RANDAL HAMILTON BERESFORD-ASH DL (1859-1938), of Ashbrook, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1912, Colonel, Royal Welch Fusiliers, who married, in 1886, the Lady Florence Marion Browne, daughter of Henry, 5th Marquess of Sligo.

In 1901, Mr Hamilton-Ash added the additional surname and arms of ASH.

Colonel Beresford-Ash was succeeded by his only child,

DOUGLAS BERESFORD-ASH DL (1887-1976), of Ashbrook, Major, Royal Fusiliers, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1950, who wedded, in 1930, the Lady Betty Helena Joanna Rous, daughter of 3rd Earl of Stradbroke, and had issue, an only child,

JOHN RANDAL BERESFORD-ASH (1938-2010), of Ashbrook, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1975, who married, in 1968, Agnès Marie Colette, daughter of Comte Jules Marie Guy de Lamberterie de la Chapelle Montmoreau, and had issue,

Melanie Anne Helena Charlotte b 1968;
Louisa Jane Marie Caroline b 1971;
Angelique.

ASHBROOK, County Londonderry, has been home to the Beresford-Ash family since 1595.

This two-storey, bow-fronted, gable-ended, 18th century house reputedly incorporates the original house.

There is unusual fenestration: Two windows on either side of the central, curved bow in the upper storey; while there is only one on either side below.

The windows on the entrance front all have rusticated surrounds; and both sides of the house are gabled and irregular.

The Honourable The Irish Society records the Ash family as one of only four 'native land owners' prior to the plantation.

Today Ashbrook is set in 30 acres of mature parkland on the outskirts of the city of Londonderry.

The oldest part of the house was built ca 1590.

The Hall

During the celebrated siege of Londonderry in 1689, Ashbrook was partially burnt by JAMES II’s troops as the Ash family were besieged in the city.

In 1760, the front six rooms were added to Ashbrook.

Unfortunately the architect's records were lost in the burning of the records office in Dublin in 1917. However, the original plans still exist of all the drainage system for the estate (fields and house) from the plumbers who installed the first flushing lavatories and baths in 1911.

In the early 1940s, Ashbrook played host to the US Marines.

The then owners, Major and Lady Helena Beresford-Ash, were asked by King George VI to host General George Marshall, Averell Harriman and Harry Hopkins, who were inspecting their troops in Londonderry.

In the grounds there are fine, mature trees with glen-side walks leading to the River Faughan, to which there is public access.

This area was recently improved following a report by Dr Tim Edwards of Ulster University, which emphasised the importance of this area as a public amenity.

Tree planting is recorded in A Register of Trees in County Londonderry 1768-1911, for the years 1773 to 1776.

The house is set in lawns, with shrubs and trees a short distance away.

The walled garden has not been cultivated in the last twenty years.

Half of it was an orchard, separated from the rest by a beech hedge, which still exists.

Peter Taylor has written an interesting article about the history of the Beresford-Ash family; how Ashbrook was a gift to General Thomas Ash from ELIZABETH I; and their experiences during the troubles in Northern Ireland. 

First published in February, 2010. Beresford-Ash arms courtesy of the NLI.

1st Earl of Clanbrassil

THE REV HANS HAMILTON (1536-1608), Vicar of Dunlop, Ayrshire, said to have derived from a common ancestor with the DUKES OF HAMILTON, wedded Margaret Denham, daughter of the Laird of Weshiels, and had, with other issue,

JAMES;
ARCHIBALD, ancestor of ROWAN-HAMILTON of Killyleagh.
Gawn, of Ballygally;
John, ancestor of the Hamiltons of Mount Hamilton, Co Armagh;
William, of Bangor; ancestor of Sir James Hamilton, MP for Bangor;

Patrick;

Jean.

The elder son,

SIR JAMES HAMILTON (c1560-1644), Knight, of Killyleagh and Bangor, both in County Down, Sergeant-at-law, Privy Counsellor to JAMES I, was created, in 1622, Viscount Claneboye.

Of this gentleman Dr King, on his Essay on Men and Morals, remarked that

During the reign of ELIZABETH I, JAMES VI, King of Scots, sent James Fullerton and James Hamilton, afterwards Lord Claneboye, to Ulster, to keep up a correspondence with the English nobility, and secure his interest there, when Her Majesty should die.

His lordship wedded firstly, Ursula, daughter of Edward, Lord Brabazon, of Ardee; and secondly, Jane, daughter of Sir John Phillips Bt, of Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire.

He was succeeded by his only son,

JAMES, 2nd Viscount (c1618-59),

Who, with his father, was a great supporter of CHARLES I, and maintained a regiment of foot and a troop of horse for eight years, at their own expense, for which his estate was seized by Cromwell, and continued for six and a half years under sequestration, the whole profits thereof, during that time, being received by him.

James, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, Photo Credit: The National Trust

At length he was included among the Protestants with whom the Protector capitulated for their return, living peaceably at home, and admission to their estates, upon such composition that Parliament should think fit.

His lordship was advanced to an earldom by CHARLES II, in 1647, in the dignity of EARL OF CLANBRASSIL, County Armagh; and his son Henry, in 1661, had a grant of the annual rent charge reserved on the territory of Dufferin.

He wedded the Lady Anne Carey, eldest daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Monmouth, and had issue,

James, Viscount Claneboye (1642-58);
HENRY, of whom presently;
Hans;
Jane.

His lordship was succeeded by his second son,

HENRY, 2nd Earl (c1647-75), who married, in 1667, the Lady Alice Moore, daughter of Henry, 1st Earl of Drogheda; but dying without issue, all the family honours expired

Henry, 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil, Photo Credit: The National Trust

THE earldom, however, was revived for a kinsman,

JAMES HAMILTON (1694-1758), of Dundalk, County Louth, and Tollymore Park, County Down, MP for Dundalk, son and heir of James Hamilton, of Tollymore, County Down, by Anne his wife, daughter of John, 1st Viscount Mordaunt, and youngest sister of Charles, 3rd Earl of Peterborough, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1719, in the dignities of Baron Claneboye and Viscount Limerick.

His lordship was advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1756, as EARL OF CLANBRASSIL (second creation).


He wedded, in 1728, the Lady Harriet Bentinck, third daughter of William, 1st Earl of Portland, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
ANNE, of whom hereafter;
Caroline, died unmarried in 1762.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

JAMES, 2nd Earl (1730-98), of Dundalk and Tollymore Park, MP for Helston, 1768-74, who espoused, in 1774, Grace, daughter of Thomas, 1st Baron Foley; but died without issue, in 1798, when all the honours expired.

His lordship's sister, Anne, Countess of Roden, inherited the family estates.

*****

The life and career of James Hamilton is well documented.

Hamilton was the eldest son of Hans Hamilton (1535/6–1608) and Jonet (or Janet), daughter of James Denham, laird of West Shield in Ayrshire.

His father Hans was a protestant minister.

He was probably the James Hamilton who studied at St Andrew's University and received a BA in 1584 and an MA in 1585.

He acquired a reputation as "one of the greatest scholars and hopeful wits in his time" and became a teacher at Glasgow.

In about 1587 he left Scotland by ship and, due to storms, unexpectedly arrived in Dublin.

He decided to stay and took up the position of master at the Free School in Ship Street. He employed a fellow Scot, James Fullerton, as usher.

One of their pupils was eight-year-old James Ussher, later Archbishop of Armagh.

It was stated that Hamilton had "a noble spirit ... and learned head."

Hamilton became bursar of Trinity in 1598.

In 1602, the Gaelic chieftain Conn O'Neill sent his men to attack English soldiers after a quarrel and was consequently imprisoned.

O'Neill's wife made a deal with the Scots aristocrat, Hugh Montgomery, to give him half of O'Neill's lands if Montgomery could get a royal pardon for O'Neill.

Montgomery obtained the pardon but, in August 1604, Hamilton discovered the plan for the land.

Sir James Fullerton, now a knight and an adviser to King James, convinced the King that the lands were too large to be split in two and should be divided into three, with one third going to his associate Hamilton.

The King agreed.

Hamilton's main grant, made formally in November 1605, was the lordship of Upper (South) Clandeboye and the Great Ardes in County Down.

The Nine Years War in Ireland had ended in 1603, and Hamilton and Montgomery both recruited tenants from the Scottish lowlands to migrate to Ulster to farm their newly-acquired lands for low rents.

They persuaded members of their extended families to come and, in May 1606, the first group of farmers, artisans, merchants and chaplains arrived to form the Ulster-Scots settlement, four years before the Plantation of Ulster in 1610.

The settlement was a success and Hamilton was knighted by the king at Royston in 1609.

By 1611, a new town of eighty houses had been established at Bangor, County Down, where Hamilton lived.

Hamilton was elected a member of parliament for County Down in 1613; repaired the Bangor Abbey Church in 1617; was created Viscount Clandeboye in 1622.

Ca 1625, he moved from Bangor to Killyleagh Castle.

In 1641, when in his eighties, he returned to his Scottish home town of Dunlop and built a mausoleum to his parents in the church-yard where his father had been minister.

He erected a school attached to the mausoleum which he named Clandeboye School. Both buildings still stand.

Hamilton died, aged about 84, on 24th January, 1644, and was buried in the church at Bangor.

He was succeeded as 2nd Viscount by his only son James, who was also created EARL OF CLANBRASSIL in 1647.

His grandson, Henry Hamilton, 3rd Viscount, died in 1675 with no sons when the titles became extinct.

Another James Hamilton (d 1758), 1st Earl of Clanbrassil of the 2nd creation, held the office of MP for Dundalk, 1715-19. 

Created Baron Claneboye and Viscount Limerick on 13th May 1719; was member of the Common Council for the province of Georgia in 1733; MP for Wendover, 1735-41; MP for Tavistock, 1741/42-47; Privy Counsellor, 1746; MP for Morpeth, 1747-54; Governor of County Louth between 1756-58.

He was created 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, of County Armagh, in 1756.

James [Hamilton] (1730-98), 2nd Earl, KG KP PC, was Sheriff of County Louth in 1757; Chief Remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer [Ireland], 1757-98; Governor of County Louth, 1758-98; succeeded to the Earldom on St Patrick's Day, 1758; was a Privy Counsellor; MP for Helston, 1768-74; Custos Rotulorum of County Louth, 1769 and 1798.

He was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Garter on 5 February 1783; Founder Member of the Order of St Patrick.

On his death at Dundalk, County Louth, the titles became extinct.

The family seat was Tollymore Park in County Down.

Former seats ~ Dundalk, County Louth; Tollymore Park, County Down; Egham, Surrey.

Clanbrassil arms courtesy of European Heraldry.  First published in January, 2012.

County of Armagh

Armagh, the Orchard County, is an inland county of Ulster, extending from Lough Neagh to the northern boundary of the Irish Republic.

It is bounded, on the north-west, by County Tyrone; on the north, by Lough Neagh; on the east, by County Down; on the south by County Louth; and on the west by County Tyrone and County Monaghan.

The boundary line, on the north-west, is the River Blackwater; on the north, the lough-shore of Lough Neagh.

From Lough Neagh to Knockbride, a distance of about nine miles, is a series of well-defined enclosures through beautiful and highly improved countryside.

From Knockbride to the head of Carlingford Bay, or along much of the greater part of the east, is the Newry Canal.

Along most of the south is a series of water-sheds, streamlet courses, miserable enclosures and imaginary marches, aggregately ill-defined, and extending across so bleak, wild and barren a district as to afford small inducement for its being accurately ascertained.

Along the north-west and west, over a distance of about 20 miles, is retrogradely the River Fane and one of its tributaries; whereas over the next four miles, a chain of poor fences and naked ditches.

Along the remaining distance down towards Lough Neagh is an affluent of the River Blackwater to Caledon, and the Blackwater itself to Lough Neagh.

Its form is a parallelogram of 24 miles by 11, with a considerable triangular protrusion at the north-east corner, a smaller triangular protrusion at the south-east corner, and a large, curved expansion of 14 miles by 7 on the west side.

Its greatest length, from Maghery on Lough Neagh to the townland of Dromlece [sic], near Foxfield, is 25 miles.

Its greatest breadth is from Scarva on the Newry Canal to the boundary with County Monaghan near the village of Glaslough is upwards of 16 miles.

The county's circumference is about 80 miles; and its area about 300,000 acres.

Slieve Gullion, at a height of 1,880 feet, is the highest mountain.

Select bibliography ~ Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1841.

Culdaff House

THE YOUNGS OWNED 7,989 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

THE REV ROBERT YOUNG (1610-82), who was ordained by the RT REV ANDREW KNOX, Lord Bishop of Raphoe in 1632, instituted Rector of Clonca, 1640, and of Culdaff, 1661, is supposed to have gone over to Ulster from Devon, under the auspices of the DONEGALL family, the parishes to which he was instituted being in the gift of the Chichesters.

His son,

THE REV ROBERT YOUNG (1640-1706), Rector of Culdaff and Clonca, 1668, married firstly, about 1667, Anne Cary, and had issue (with five daughters), two sons,

Robert, born 1673;

Thomas, born 1675.

He wedded secondly, in 1679, Elizabeth Hart, of Kilderry, by whom he had further issue, one son, GEORGE, and four daughters.

His son by his second wife,

GEORGE YOUNG (1680-1729), espoused, in 1702, Elizabeth, sister of the Rev Daniel McLaughlin, Rector of Errigal, leaving, with other issue, an elder son,

ROBERT YOUNG (1703-47), who married, in 1731, Hatton, daughter of Alderman Thomas Hart, of the City of Londonderry, and had issue,

Robert;

Thomas;

Gardiner;

GEORGE, of whom hereafter;

Mary; Elizabeth (m Rev J Harvey, of MALIN HALL).

The youngest son,

GEORGE YOUNG (1731-89), of Culdaff, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1766, wedded, in 1760, Rebecca Lamy (of French origin and almost related to the Croftons, Whalleys, and other Dublin families), and had issue,

John;

Thomas;

ROBERT, of whom presently;

George;

Ralph;

Hatton; Rebecca (m her cousin, Rev E Harvey); Susan; Elizabeth; Anne.

The third son,

ROBERT YOUNG (1764-1824), of Culdaff, espoused, in 1790, Marcia, daughter of George Nesbitt, of Woodhill, County Donegal, and had issue,

GEORGE, his heir;

Robert James;

James William;

Catherine, m REV EDWARD CHICHESTER; Marcia; Anne.

Mr young was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE YOUNG JP DL (1792-1877), of Culdaff House, who married, in 1832, Mary Anne, eldest daughter of John Ffolliott, of Hollybrook, County Sligo, and had issue,

ROBERT GEORGE, his heir;

Frances.

Mr young was succeeded by his only son,

ROBERT GEORGE YOUNG JP (1834-1912), who wedded, in 1858, Letitia, youngest daughter of the Rev Robert Stavely, of St Munchin's, Limerick, and had issue,

GEORGE LAWRENCE, his heir;

Robert Stavely;

Henry Crofton;

John Ffolliott;

Mary Anne; Frances Sarah.

Mr Young was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE LAWRENCE YOUNG JP (1859-1926), of Millmount, Randalstown, County Antrim, and Caratra Lodge, Culdaff, County Donegal, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1914, who espoused, in 1883, Annie, youngest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Gardiner Harvey, of Islandnahoe, County Antrim, and had issue,

ROBERT CHICHESTER, his heir;

George Neville Gardiner (1893-1915, killed in action);

Guy Owen Lawrence, b 1896;

Rosetta Mary, b 1884 (died an infant); Dorothy Gage, b 1889.

The eldest son,

ROBERT CHICHESTER YOUNG (1887-1941), of Culdaff, County Donegal, and Ballymena, County Antrim, married Amy Isabel Stuart, and had issue,

GEORGE STUART (1914-71);

Olive Margaret Lawrence.

The only son,

GEORGE STUART YOUNG (1914-71), sold Culdaff estate to his sister,

OLIVE MARGARET LAWRENCE YOUNG.

Culdaff House (Image: Buildings of Ireland website)

CULDAFF HOUSE, near Moville, County Donegal, is a three-storey Georgian house of 1779,  built for George young.

It was burnt by the IRA in 1922; and rebuilt four years later, in 1926.

The house was re-modelled about 1950, when the original frontage was removed and a service wing was converted into main accommodation.

Culdaff House pre-1922 (NLI, Robert French, Lawrence Collection)

The Buildings of Ireland website remarks:-

"This fine house was originally built by George Young in 1779."

"It probably replaced an earlier Young house or houses in the area as Robert Young first came to this area in 1640 as rector of Culdaff Parish."

"The Young family remained in ownership of the estate until into the twentieth century."

"In 1856 the then owner of the estate, George Young, had amassed an estate of some 10,500 acres with an annual income of over £3,000."

Robert Chichester Young inherited Culdaff in 1926, and his son, George Stuart Young, inherited Culdaff in 1941; and sold Culdaff to his sister, Olive Margaret Lawrence Winton, ca 1945 (funded by her inheritance from her first husband, Thomas Stanley Winton).

Olive's second child, George Mills (b 1952), from her second marriage in 1950 to Angus Mills (foreman of the Culdaff estate, who saw Culdaff House burn as a 14 year-old farm hand in 1922) is the current owner of Culdaff.