Dromoland Castle

THE BARONS INCHIQUIN WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 20,321 ACRES

This very ancient family claims royal descent, and deduces its pedigree from the celebrated Irish monarch, Brian Boru, who ascended the throne in 1002, and fell at the memorable battle of Clontarf, in 1014.

From this prince descended the Kings of Thomond; of which TURLOGH, King of Munster and principal High King of Ireland, had, with other issue, Dermot, King of Munster, from whom descended, in 1528, 

CONOR O'BRIEN, King of Thomond, eldest son of TORLOGH DONN, King of Thomond, who died in 1528,  who married firstly, Annabella, youngest daughter of Ulick De Burgh, 1st Earl of Clanricarde, by whom he had a son,

1. DONOGH, Earl of Thomond, in succession to his uncle, Morrogh, BARON OF IBRACHAN, by creation, 1543, and EARL OF THOMOND, 1551.

His male issue became extinct on the death, in 1774, of CHARLES O'BRIEN, the last heir male of his line, and, who, but for the attainder, would have been 9th Earl of Thomond. 

Conor O'Brien wedded secondly, Ellice, daughter of 10th Earl of Desmond, and by her had issue five sons, of whom,

2. Donald.

3. Teige.

4. Morrough.

Conor O'Brien died in 1539, and was succeeded in his principality, according to the laws of Tanistry, by his brother, the Tanist of Thomond,

MURROUGH O'BRIEN, who, repairing to England by the advice of the Lord Deputy of Ireland, in 1543, surrendered his royalty to HENRY VIII, and was, in recompense, created Earl of Thomond for life, and BARON INCHIQUIN to his own heirs male.

His lordship wedded Eleanor, daughter of Sir Thomas FitzGerald, Knight of Glyn, and dying in 1551, left issue,

DERMOD, his successor;
Teige;

DONOGH;

Torlogh.

His lordship died in 1551, when the Earldom of Thomond devolved upon his nephew Donogh, and the Barony of Inchiquin was inherited by his son and heir,

DERMOD, 2nd Baron, to whom his father devised the castle and lands of Inchiquin, and other extensive territorial possessions.

His lordship espoused, before 1550, his cousin, Margaret, eldest daughter of Donogh, Earl of Thomond; and died in 1557, when he was succeeded by his only son,

MORROGH McDERMOT, 3rd Baron (c1550-73), who wedded Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Cusack, Lord Chancellor and Lord Justice of Ireland,

MORROUGH, his successor;
Slaney.

His lordship was slain by Dermot Reagh O'Shaughnessy in 1574, and was succeeded by his son,

MORROGH, 4th Baron (1562-97), who wedded Mabel, sister of 1st Earl of Westmeath.

His lordship fell from his horse and drowned, in 1597, when fording the River Erne, near Sligo, during the Nine Years War.

He was succeeded by his son,

DERMOD, 5th Baron (1594-1624), who wedded Ellen, eldest daughter of Sir Edmund FitzJohn FitzGerald, and had issue,

Henry;
Christopher;
MURROUGH, of whom we treat;
Honora; Mary; Ann.

His lordship was succeeded by his youngest son,

MURROUGH (1618-74), 6th Baron, who was created, in 1654, EARL OF INCHIQUN.

Murrough, 1st Earl of Inchiquin (Image: Manchester Art Gallery)

MURROUGH (1726-1808), 10th Baron, was created, in 1808, MARQUESS OF THOMOND.

• Murrough O'Brien, 1st Marquess and 10th Baron (1726–1808)
• William O'Brien, 2nd Marquess and 11th Baron (1765–1846)
• James O'Brien, 3rd Marquess and 12th Baron (1768–1855)

Barons Inchiquin (1543; Reverted)

• Lucius O'Brien, 13th Baron (1800–72)
• Edward Donough O'Brien, 14th Baron (1839–1900)
• Lucius William O'Brien, 15th Baron (1864–1929)
• Donough Edward Foster O'Brien, 16th Baron (1897–1968)
• Pádraig Lucius Ambrose O'Brien, 17th Baron (1900–82)
• Conor Myles John O'Brien, 18th Baron (1943-2023) 

The 18th Baron's second cousin, Conor John Anthony O'Brien (born 1952), is the present 19th Baron.

DROMOLAND CASTLE, Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, is considered one of the finest examples of a baronial style castle in Ireland.

According to history, the original castle on the site is said to have dated back to the 11th century, and was more rustic in nature than the existing castle of today, similar in style to Bunratty castle.

Like other castles of the times, it served as a defensive stronghold.

From the time of Morrough O’Brien (the original owner of Dromoland) until the 16th Baron Inchiquin - who still owned the castle in the 1960s - the Inchiquins lived at Dromoland for more than 500 years.

In 1736, a second castle was built in the design of the Queen Anne period with a wing enclosing a central courtyard.

This wing of the castle remains today and is almost a century older than the other sections of the castle.

The present castle was completed in 1826 by the 4th O'Brien Baronet in Gothic style, with four large towers made of a dark blue limestone that was cut from a nearby quarry, and built at great expense for the times.

The Castle is dominated by a tall, round corner tower and a square tower, both of heavily crenellated. There are also smaller towers and a turreted porch.

The windows on the main fronts are rectangular with Gothic tracery.

Inside, a square entrance hall opens into a long, inner hall similar to a gallery, the staircase being at one end; while the main reception rooms are at one side of it.

The rooms have quite austere ceilings with Gothic Tudor-Revival cornices.

The drawing-room was formerly called the Keightley Room since it contained many of the 17th century portraits which were acquired by the O'Brien family through the marriage of Lucius O'Brien MP to Catherine Keightley (whose grandfather was the Earl of Clarendon).

Part of the 18th century garden layout survives, including a gazebo and Doric rotunda.

During the latter portion of the 19th century, the Inchiquin family wealth dwindled due to a series of Land Acts, until Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom in 1921.

Landlords during this time were forced to sell their farmlands, and so the Inchiquins lost their main source of income.

However, they were able to still hold onto Dromoland.

Although the loss of income suffered by the Inchiquins made the Castle difficult to keep, they managed to do so, and the castle was maintained by the personal wealth of the 15th Baron's wife, and afterwards her son, the 16th Baron, until 1948, when they began to take in tourists as paying guests.

Finally, in 1962, the Castle was sold to an American industrialist, Bernard McDonough, whose family were of Irish descent.

Over a period of six months, the castle underwent major renovations and was eventually re-opened as a luxury hotel.

The original style and atmosphere of the castle are said to have been preserved, and the rooms including its stately, baronial country house atmosphere “look very much today, like they did when the Inchiquin family lived there... "

The original wing is very elegant inside: Guests enter into a two-storey stone lobby (made from the dark blue limestone) that is complete with suits of armour, a large dark wood carved table, elegant rose tapestry covered chairs, and dark red drapes.

On one side, a stone passage and hallway lead to the large, main drawing room of the castle.

The hallway and drawing-room have a high ceiling, deep red and gold wallpapered walls, and is lined with baronial portraits of the barons and former members of the Inchiquin family.

It is said that O'Brien family portraits (on loan) remain on display at the Castle today.

Former London residence ~ 9, Avery Row, Brook Street.

First published in April, 2011. 

The O'Loghlen Baronets

THE O'LOGHLEN BARONETS OWNED 1,895 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CLARE

The family of O'LOGHLEN was for centuries settled in County Clare, and, before the coming of the English into Ireland, ruled over the territory of the north of the county known as the barony of The Burren.

COLMAN O'LOGHLEN JP (1745-1810), of Port, County Clare, married firstly, the sister of Daniel C'Connell, of Kilgory, which lady dsp; and secondly, in 1783, Susannah, daughter of Dr Michael Finucane, of Ennis, and had issue,

Hugh;
Colman (1817-26);
MICHAEL, of whom hereafter;
Bryan;
Daniel;
Terence;
Lucinda.

The third son,

MICHAEL O'LOGHLEN (1789-1842), of 36, St James's Place, London, 20, Merrion Square South, Dublin, and Drumconora, Ennis, County Clare, MP for Dungarvan, 1835-37, a distinguished lawyer, having filled successively the offices of Solicitor and Attorney-General, was elevated to the Bench as a Baron of the Exchequer in 1836, which he relinquished on being appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland the following year.

Mr O'Loghlen was created a baronet in 1838, designated of Drumconora, Ennis.

Sir Michael married, in 1817, Bidelia, daughter of Daniel Kelly, of Dublin, and had issue,

COLMAN MICHAEL, his successor;
Hugh Ross;
BRYAN, 3rd Baronet;
Michael;
Maria; Susan; Bidelia; Lucy.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR COLMAN MICHAEL O'LOGHLEN, 2nd Baronet (1819-77), QC, MP for County Clare, 1863-77, who died unmarried, when the title devolved upon his brother,

SIR BRYAN O'LOGHLEN, 3rd Baronet (1828-1905), MP for County Clare, 1877-79, who wedded, in 1863, Ella, daughter of James Mackey Seward, and had issue,

MICHAEL, his successor;
Colman Seward;
Hugh Ross;
Bryan James;
CHARLES HUGH ROSS, 5th Baronet;
Henry Ross, father of the 6th Baronet;
Annie Bidelia Margaret; Lucy Susan Mary; Ella Maude;
Frances Mary; Clare Mary; Aimee Margaret Julia.

Sir Bryan was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MICHAEL O'LOGHLEN, 4th Baronet (1866-1934), JP, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1900 and 1910, who espoused, in 1918, Beatrice Mary, daughter of Sir Michael Murphy, 1st Baronet.

Sir Michael was the last Lord-Lieutenant of County Clare, 1910-22.

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

SIR CHARLES HUGH ROSS O'LOGHLEN, 5th Baronet (1881-1951), who died unmarried, when the title reverted to his cousin,

SIR COLMAN MICHAEL O'LOGHLEN, 6th Baronet (1916-2014), who wedded, in 1939, Margaret, daughter of Francis O'Halloran, and had issue,

MICHAEL, his successor;
Bryan;
Ross;
Hugh;
Colman;
Brendan;
Margaret; Janet.

Sir Colman was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MICHAEL O'LOGHLEN, 7th Baronet (1945-), QC, who wedded, in 1967, Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Dr D M Clarke, and has issue,

Hugh;
David;
Rory.

The present baronet lives in Australia.

Image: Great Houses of Clare during WW1

Drumconora House, Ennis, County Clare, was a large three storey residence which belonged to the Crowe family at the end of the 18th century, and until at least 1814, when it was the residence of Robert Crowe.

By the mid-19th century, Drumconora became the home of Sir Colman O'Loghlen Bt, who held it in fee.

First published in February, 2017.

Castle Crine

THE BUTLERS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 11,389 ACRES

This family is said to descend from the noble house of BUTLER, VISCOUNTS MOUNTGARRET.

WILLIAM BUTLER, of Rossroe Castle, County Clare, serving as High Sheriff of that county in 1712, left a daughter, Anne, wife of St John Bridgeman (of Woodfield), and two sons, viz.

HENRY, of Rossroe Castle;
THOMAS, of Castle Crine.

The second son,

THOMAS BUTLER, of Castle Crine, was father of 

WILLIAM BUTLER, of Castle Crine, who succeeded to the landed property of his cousin, Henry Butler, of O’Brien’s Castle, in 1791.

He wedded Anne D'Alton and had issue, a son,

JAMES BUTLER, of Castle Crine, who espoused Mary, daughter of Robert Ievers, of Mount Ievers, County Clare; and dying ca 1821, leaving issue.

The eldest son,

HENRY BUTLER JP DL, of Castle Crine, married Anna, daughter of Charles Dawson, of Charlesfort, County Wexford, and died in 1852 (buried at Bunratty), leaving,

JAMES, his heir;
Charles Eyre, 69th Regiment;
Henry, 90th Regiment;
William Dawson;
Deborah.

The eldest son,

JAMES BUTLER JP DL, of Castle Crine, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1851, wedded, in 1852, Sophia, daughter of Major Irvine, and by her (who married secondly, Major Graham), he left at his decease, in 1857, three daughters, of Castle Crine, his co-heiresses,

ANNA FRANCES;
SOPHIA MARY;
HENRIETTA JEMIMA.

The second daughter,

Sophia Mary Butler, married the 5th Lord Clarina, though had no male issue, and on the marriage of her eldest daughter, the Hon Sophia (Zoë) Butler-Massey to the Hon Eric Henderson, the Castle Crine estate was settled upon her, subject to the life interests of her mother and aunts.

Following the decease of Miss Anna Frances Butler in 1938, the last survivor, Mrs Butler-Henderson (who with her husband assumed the surname of BUTLER in addition to that of HENDERSON) succeeded to Castle Crine estate.

Her daughter, Mrs Wordsworth, resided there until 1951, when the estate was sold. 

CASTLE CRINE, near Sixmilebridge, County Clare, was a castellated late-Georgian house, comprising a two-storey block with two curved bows beside each other at one end; one with pointed Gothic windows and a three-storey tower.

Little battlements; corbelled turret on tower.

Castle Crine was demolished in 1955.

First published in November, 2012.

Kiltanon House

THE MOLONYS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 10,095 ACRES

The Milesian family of MOLONY is one of great antiquity in the sister island. The Molonys were formerly princes of Clare, where they possessed a large tract of country called the O'Molony's Lands, as may be seen from some of the old maps of that county.

In Catholic times, three members of the family attained the mitre, as appears from the following epitaph on the tomb of John O'Molony, Bishop of Limerick in 1687, who after the siege of that city, followed JAMES II to Paris, where he assisted in the foundation of a College for the education of Irish priests, in the chapel belonging to which he was buried in 1702.

The Bishop's nephew,

JAMES MOLONY, of Kiltanon, the first of the family who laid aside the prefix "O," served first in JAMES II's army, but subsequently sided with WILLIAM III.

He married twice, by his first wife, Jane, daughter of Colonel Richard Ringrose, whom he wedded about 1690, he had a son, JAMES, his heir; and by the second, he left two sons and a daughter, 

Richard;

Stephen;

Catherine.

James Malony died in 1738, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES MOLONY, of Kiltanon, second son of JAMES MOLONY, of Kiltanon and Ballynahinch, by his second wife, Mary, daughter of James Lambert, married, ca 1715, Elizabeth, widow of Major Morgan Ryan, and second daughter and co-heir of Thomas Croasdaile, of Clostoken, County Galway, by Mercy his wife, daughter of Colonel Richard Ringrose, of Moynoe House, County Clare, and had issue,

JAMES, his heir;
Croasdaile;
Lambert;
Jane.

Mr Molony was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES MOLONY (1717-), of Kiltanon, who married, in 1751, Mary, daughter of Stewart Weldon, of Raheenderry, Queen's County, and had issue,

JAMES, his heir;
Arthur;
Walter Weldon;
Lambert;
Weldon John (Rev);
Charles;
Edmund;
Elizabeth.

Mr Molony was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES MOLONY (1742-1823), of Kiltanon, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1802, who married, in 1780, Selina, daughter of the Rev John Mills, of Barford, Warwickshire, and had issue,

JAMES, his heir;
Charles Arthur, b 1790;
Edmund, b 1794;
Selina; Mary; Harriet; Anne; Lucy.

Mr Molony was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES MOLONY JP DL (1785-1874), of Kiltanon, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1828, who wedded firstly, in 1820, Harriet, daughter of William Harding, of Baraset, Warwickshire, and had issue,

James, 1822-34;

WILLIAM MILLS, his heir;

Harriet, died in infancy.

He espoused secondly, in 1828, Lucy, second daughter of Sir Trevor Wheler Bt, of Leamington Hastings, Warwickshire, and had further issue,

Francis Wheler (Rev);
Edmund Weldon;
Trevor Charles;
Frederick Beresford;
Charles Mills, CB;
Marcus;
Mary; Lucy Anne; Harriet Selina.

Mr Molony died at Leamington Hastings, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

WILLIAM MILLS MOLONY JP DL (1825-91), of Kiltanon, Major, 22nd Regiment, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1865, who married, in 1865, Marianne Marsh, elder daughter and co-heir of Robert Fannin, of Leeson Street, Dublin, by his wife Henrietta, daughter of Croasdaile Molony, of Granahan, and had issue,

James Edmund Harding (1873-79);
WILLIAM BERESFORD, his heir;
Henrietta Mary; Iva Kathleen; Selina Charlotte; Maud Alice.

Major Molony was succeeded by his only surviving son,

WILLIAM BERESFORD MOLONY (1875-1960), of Kiltanon, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1908, Colonel, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who wedded, in 1905, Lena Maria Annie, only daughter of George Wright, of Heysham Lodge, Lancashire, and of Coverham Abbey, Yorkshire, without issue.

KILTANON HOUSE, near Tulla, County Clare, was an attractive, pale brick three-storey Georgian mansion with stone facing which overlooked rolling parklands of mature trees of both native and imported variety.  

The house was burnt in 1920. 

Unique family mementos, including a marble table and an inlaid set of playing cards, perished.  

This classic heirloom was said to have been given to Bishop John O'Molony by LOUIS XIV in atonement for having once lost his temper when playing and tearing up his card.

The top floor was an attic storey.

The fenestration was said to be unusual.

A two-storey wing was set back.

The Molonys managed to hold onto Kiltannon House in the 1690s by a fortunate clause in the Treaty of Limerick which exempted serving officers within the city walls.

In 1878, it was estimated that the lands comprising the Kiltannon Estate numbered 10,000 acres with a rateable valuation of £2,500.

It was then owned by Major William Mills Molony.  

His son, Colonel William Molony, was the last of seven generations to own this estate.

Kiltanon was the home of the Molony family for at least two centuries.

The house, built in 1833, had a drive which linked it to the other nearby Molony residences at Bunavory and Cragg.

The house is now ruinous.

In the second half of the 19th century another house, known as the Home Farm House, was built at Kiltanon for Marcus Molony, eighth son of James Molony, and his agent.

This house remains today.

Kiltanon home farm is on the grounds of the Kiltanon Sport Estate and is 1,000 yards south-west of Kiltanon House and estate.

The folklore history of the Kiltanon Estate is that the lands were given to a Cromwellian soldier as payment for his services in the Cromwellian Army.

After arriving in Galway Harbour, he began his journey on foot, and crossing the mountain from Gort, heading south for Tulla with the newly signed property deed on his person, he stopped a member of the Molony clan at Laughan Bridge to ask directions to his estate:

‘Is the lands of Kiltanon as bad as all of the land around here?" the soldier asked. ‘It’s worse’ said Molony, pointing to the snow covered rocks and heather that formed part of the mountain and was many miles from the fertile Kiltanon lands. "Then I have no business being here’ replied the soldier, ‘do you want to buy it from me?’.

Accepting what money Molony had in his pocket as payment, he handed over the deed to Kiltanon Estate and returned to Galway.

Thus, as local folklore has it, the property came into the Maloney family.

A book by Hugh Weir states that the soldier was James Molony, of Ballinahinch and Kiltanon, who served in O’Brien’s regiment of foot in support of JAMES II.

His property was saved at the Treaty of Limerick by a clause which exempted those from within the city walls.

Kiltanon Home Farm was built for Marcus Molony JP, son of James Molony JP DL, of Kiltanon, who married Christina Emma of neighbouring Tyredah Castle and acted as land agent for the family estate which comprised of 10,095 acres.

Colonel William (Willie) Molony (1875-1960), of Kiltanon, was the last of seven direct descendents to own Kiltanon. 

The Home Farm now forms the nucleus of self-catering accommodation.

First published in August, 2012.  Molony arms courtesy of the NLI.

Carrigoran House

THE FITZGERALD BARONETS, OF NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 14,915 ACRES

This is a very ancient branch of the noble and illustrious race of the GERALDINES, seated at an early period at the castle of Pallas, County Limerick. Family tradition relates that the descendant of that family and the direct ancestor of the Carrigoran Fitzgeralds was instrumental in saving the life of CHARLES I at the battle of Naseby. Naseby House, Northamptonshire, was built by the FitzGeralds, lords of the manor of Naseby.

Of the Clare family there were two branches, the representative of one, that of Moigh Castle and Sixmilebridge, namely

COLONEL AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD, who died in 1776, having devised the reversion of his property to his kinsman, of Carrigoran.

The estate of Carrigoran was acquired by

EDWARD FITZGERALD, of Rynana, County Clare, in 1667, from Colonel Daniel O'Brien, afterwards the Viscount Clare.

His son and heir,

JOHN FITZGERALD, of Carrigoran, County Clare, married Ellinor, daughter of Pierce Butler, 2nd Viscount Ikerrin; from whom descended,

COLONEL EDWARD FITZGERALD (c1738-1814), of Carrigoran, MP for County Clare, 1776-90,  Castlebar, 1790-97, who wedded firstly, in 1762, Rachel, daughter of Standish Grady, of Elton, County Limerick.

Sir Edward was left a large estate by his kinsman, Colonel Augustine FitzGerald, of Sixmilebridge and Silvergrove.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD (c1765-1834), MP for Clare, 1808-18, Ennis, 1832, who was created a baronet in 1821, designated of Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare.

Sir Augustine espoused Elizabeth, second daughter of Thomas Barton, of Grove, County Tipperary, but died without issue, when the baronetcy devolved upon his brother,

SIR WILLIAM FITZGERALD, 2nd Baronet (c1780-1847), who espoused, in 1805, Emelia Cumming, youngest daughter of William Veale, of Trevaylor, Cornwall, and had issue,

EDWARD, his successor;
AUGUSTINE, East India Company, 4th Baronet;
William Thomas Burton;
GEORGE CUMMING, 5th Baronet;
Emilia Mary; Georgina Mary.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR EDWARD FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet (1806-65), who wedded, in 1856, Julia O'Grady, of Dublin; the marriage, however, was without issue, and he was succeeded by his brother,

SIR AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD, 4th Baronet (1809-93), who espoused firstly, in 1832, at Agra, India, Eliza Margaret Gore, and had issue, an only child, Augustine (1834-65).

Sir Augustine married secondly, in 1881, Clara Emma Whitaker.

He was succeeded by his younger brother,

SIR GEORGE CUMMING FITZGERALD, 5th Baronet (1823-1908), of Cornwall, who wedded firstly, in 1883, Emily Georgiana Cleaveland; and secondly, in 1888, Ellen Creagh FitzGerald.

Both marriages were without issue.

The title became extinct on the death of Sir George Cumming FitzGerald, 5th Baronet, in 1908.

Photo credit: Clare County Library - Bluett Collection

Carrigoran House was the seat of the FitzGerald family in the 18th and 19th centuries.

An earlier house was reputedly destroyed by fire in the late 18th century.

Carrigoran was advertised for sale in 1856.

By the 1880s, the FitzGeralds had acquired the Trevaylor estate in Cornwall.

When Clara, Lady FitzGerald, widow of the 4th Baronet, died in 1922, Carrigoran was sold to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

It was still in use in the 1940s, though was demolished in the 1980s.

Other Seats - Trevaylor, Penzance, Cornwall; Killybegs House, Naas, County Kildare.

London residence ~ 15 King Street, St James's.

First published in May, 2012. FitzGerald Baronets' arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Blood of Cranagher

THE BLOODS OWNED 11,843 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CLARE

This family was originally from Makeney, near Duffield, in Derbyshire.

CAPTAIN EDMUND BLOOD (c1568-c1640), of Kilnaboy Castle and Bohersallagh (Applevale), County Clare, an officer in the Army, went to Ireland about 1595.

Captain Blood, MP for Ennis, 1613-15, had issue,

NEPTUNE, of whom presently;
Edmund;
Thomas, father of Colonel Thomas Blood;
William, of Dunboyne, County Meath.

Thomas, the third son, was father of COLONEL THOMAS BLOOD, of Sarney, County Meath, who attempted to carry off the Crown Jewels. His estate in Ireland was forfeited, but he had a pardon and pension from the King.

Captain Blood's eldest son,

THE VERY REV DR NEPTUNE BLOOD JP (1595-1692), (so called because he was born at sea), Dean of Kilfenora, married thrice, and left issue,

THOMAS, his heir;
Edmond, from whom the BLOODS of Brickhill are descended;
Peregrine;
Neptune (Very Rev), Dean of Kilfenora;
Henry.

Dr Blood was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS BLOOD, of Killnaboy Castle and Bohersallagh, wedded a daughter of _______ Davis, and had issue,

Neptune, of Bohersallagh, dsp 1744;
THOMAS, of whom hereafter;
Edmund;
Mark;
William, ancestor of BLOOD of Fantore;
Matthew, ancestor of BLOOD of Ballykilty;
Deborah.

The second son,

THOMAS BLOOD (-1730), of Bohersallagh, espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Greene, of Old Abbey, County Limerick, and had issue,

Thomas;
WILLIAM, of whom presently;
Anthony;
Edmund;
Anne.

The second son,

WILLIAM BLOOD JP (-1791), of Roxton, County Clare, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1750, married, in 1747, Ann, daughter of William Chadwick, of Ballinard, County Tipperary, and had issue,

Richard;
WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Thomas, from whom descend the BLOODS of Essex;
Neptune, of Applevale, County Clare;
Michael, of Baskin Hill, County Dublin;
Frederick (Rev);
Jane.

The eldest surviving son,

WILLIAM BLOOD JP (1749-84), of Roxton, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1774, Colonel, Ennis Volunteers, wedded, in 1772, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Bindon, and had issue, with a daughter, Nicola, an only son,

BINDON BLOOD JP DL (1775-1855), of Cranagher, County Clare, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1819, who espoused firstly, in 1796, his cousin Ann, daughter of Major Edward William Burton, and had issue, six daughters,

Elizabeth; Jane; Anne; Mary; Fanny; Nicola.

He married secondly, in 1809, Harriet, daughter of Christopher Bagot, and had further issue,

William, dsp;
Bindon, died young;
Bagot, died young;
WILLIAM BINDON, of whom hereafter;
Katherine.

Mr Blood wedded thirdly, Maria, daughter of _______ Hinckley, of Tenterden, Kent, and had issue,

Bindon;
Bagot;
Mary Anne; Frances; Maria.

Mr Bindon Blood's fourth son,

WILLIAM BINDON BLOOD JP (1817-94), of Cranagher, espoused firstly, in 1841, Margaret, daughter of Robert Stewart, Hawthornside, Roxburghshire, and had issue,

BINDON, his heir;
Bagot William (Lieutenant-Colonel);
Robert (Dr), Colonel, RAMC;
Margaret.

He married secondly, in 1855, Maria Augusta, daughter of Robert Henry Persse, and had further issue,

William Persse (Colonel).

Mr William Bindon Blood was succeeded by his eldest son,

GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD GCB GCVO (1842-1940), of Cranagher, County Clare, and 183, St James's Court, London, who wedded, in 1883, Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Auckland Colvin KCSI KCMG CIE, and had issue,

Bindon Auckland William, died in infancy, 1888;
Mary Meta; Charlotte Carissima.

Sir Bindon sold Cranagher House in 1905.

Sir Winston Churchill, who served under Blood on the North-West Frontier in 1897, dedicated his first non-fiction book, The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1898), to

"Major-General Sir Bindon Blood, K.C.B., under whose command the operations therein recorded were carried out; by whose generalship they were brought to a successful conclusion; and to whose kindness the author is indebted for the most valuable and fascinating experience of his life".

First published in August, 2018. 

Cahercon House

THE HON CHARLES WILLIAM WHITE WAS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNER IN COUNTY TIPPERARY, WITH 23,957 ACRES

LUKE WHITE (c1740-1824) was born at Bell's Lane (now Garfield Street), Belfast.

This bookseller, lottery operator and Whig politician was once known as "the Smithfield Millionaire." 

He started as an impecunious book dealer, first in the streets of Belfast; then, from 1778, at an auction house in Dublin, buying and reselling around the country. 

By 1798, during the Rebellion, he helped the Irish government with a loan of £1 million (at £65 per £100 share at 5%). 

He then purchased Luttrellstown Castle from Henry Luttrell, 2nd Earl of Carhampton, in 1800, and changed its name to Woodlands in order to eradicate the memory of its previous owner.

Mr White, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1804, Longford, 1806, MP for Leitrim, 1818-24, married firstly, in 1781, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter de la Mazière, and had, with other issue,

Thomas, Colonel in the army, of Woodlands;
Samuel;
Luke;
HENRY, of whom hereafter;
Matilda, m 4th Baron Massy.

He espoused secondly, in 1800, Arabella, daughter of William Fortescue, and had further issue, one son.

Mr White died at his London residence in Park Street, Mayfair.

He left properties worth £175,000 per annum which subsequently devolved upon his fourth son,

HENRY WHITE (1791-1873), of Woodlands, County Dublin, and afterwards of Rathcline, County Longford, who wedded, in 1828, Ellen, daughter of William Soper Dempster, of Skibo Castle, Sutherland, and had issue,

LUKE, his heir;
Henry;
George Frederick;
Francis Samuel;
Charles William, of Cahercon;
Robert;
Eleanor; Emily.

Mr White was elevated to the peerage, in 1863, in the dignity of BARON ANNALY, of Annaly and Rathcline, County Longford.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

LUKE, 2nd Baron (1829-88), KP, MP for Clare, 1859-60, Longford, 1861-2, Kidderminster, 1862-5, who espoused, in 1853, Emily, daughter of James Stuart, and had issue.

• Luke White, 2nd Baron (1829–88);
• Luke White, 3rd Baron (1857–1922);
• Luke Henry White, 4th Baron (1885–1970);
• Luke Robert White, 5th Baron (1927–90);
• Luke Richard White, 6th Baron (b 1954).

The Heir apparent is the present holder's only son, the Hon Luke Henry White.

*****

The 1st Baron's fifth son, the Hon Charles William White (1838-90), of Cahercon, inherited the County Clare estates comprising 18,226 acres, and 5,731 acres in County Tipperary.

CAHERCON HOUSE, near Kildysart, County Clare, is situated on the banks of the River Shannon, the seat of the Scott family until at least the 1850s.

The sale rental of 1854 gives a detailed description of the house which included 16 bedrooms.

Cahercon, variously known as Cahircon, Caheracon and Cahiracon, is a late-Georgian block of three storeys over a basement, with two-storey, mid-19th century wings and other additions.

The house faces across the Shannon estuary.

The main block is of five bays, with an Ionic porch; the wings have three-sided bows. The roof is prominent.

Cahercon was the seat of the Scott family until at least the 1850s and was constructed around 1790.

In 1873, the wings, conservatory and single storey bay were added.

By the 19th century James Kelly held the house in fee.

The Hon James William White, son of Lord Annally's son, lived in Cahiracon in the mid 1870s and it was still a seat of the family in 1894.

The Vandeleurs lived in Cahercon at the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1920, it was purchased by the Maynooth Mission to China, and they in turn sold it to the Salesians Sisters of St John Bosco in 1962.

Until 2002, Cahercon House operated as a secondary school, boarding school and convent.

First published in July, 2012.

Paradise Hill

THE HENNS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 7,664 ACRES

The family of HENN, one of English origin, was settled in County Clare for upwards of two centuries. RICHARD HENN, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1738, obtained a grant of "Paradise Hill", and various estates in that county, in 1685, from the Earl of Thomond.

WILLIAM HENN (c1720-96), second son of Thomas Henn (younger brother and devisee of Richard Henn, the grantee of Paradise Hill), High Sheriff of County Clare, 1766, was called to the Irish Bar and appointed a Judge of the King's Bench, 1768.

He married Miss Elizabeth Parry, and had (with three daughters) an only son,

WILLIAM HENN, Master of the Irish Court of Chancery, 1793, who wedded, in 1782, Susanna, sister of Sir Jonathan Lovett Bt, of Liscombe Park, Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

WILLIAM, of whom presently;
Jonathan, QC;
Richard, Commander RN;
Eleanor; Susanna; Eliza; Jane; Frances.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM HENN (c1782-1857), who, like his father, became a Master in Chancery in Ireland, 1822, espoused, in 1809, Mary Rice, eldest daughter of George Fosbery, of Clorane, County Limerick, by Christiana his wife, daughter of Thomas Rice, of Mount Trenchard, in the same county, and had issue,

William, died unmarried;
THOMAS RICE, of whom hereafter;
Jonathan Lovett, died unmarried;
George;
Richard;
Christiana; Susanna; Mary; Ellen; Jane.

The second son,

THOMAS RICE HENN KC JP DL (1814-1901), of Paradise Hill, County Clare, Barrister, County Court Judge, Chairman of Quarter Sessions for County Carlow, 1859, and for County Galway, 1868, Recorder of Galway, 1878, married, in 1845, Jane Isabella, second daughter of the Rt Hon Francis Blackburne, LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND, and had issue,

William, Lieutenant RN; dsp;
FRANCIS BLACKBURNE, of whom we treat;
Thomas Rice;
Edward Lovett;
Richard Arthur Milton, of Castle Troy House;
Henry (Rt Rev), Bishop of Burnley;
Adela Jane; Mary Rice.

The second son,

FRANCIS BLACKBURNE HENN JP (1848-1915), of Paradise Hill, Barrister, wedded, in 1880, Helen Letitia Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Gore, of Woodlands, County Clare, and had issue,

WILLIAM FRANCIS;
Thomas Rice, b 1901;
Muriel Helen Isabella Rice; Lilian Adela Gore; Maud Susan Beatrice.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM FRANCIS HENN CBE MVO (1892-1964), of Paradise Hill, wedded, in 1915, Geraldine Frances Jane, daughter of Thomas George Stacpoole-Mahon, and had issue,

WILLIAM BRYAN, AFC, b 1917;
Francis Robert, CBE, b 1920;
Margaret Geraldine, b 1922.

PARADISE HILL, Ennis, County Clare, was a two-storey Georgian house, with two curved bows and a Gothicized Venetian window as its doorway.

High-pitched roofs and pointed dormer gables were added in the Victorian era; and iron balconies.

Paradise Hill was burnt in 1970.

Francis Robert Henn, CBE, has compiled The Henn Family of Paradise, including early lineage and reminiscences.

First published in March, 2016.

1st Marquess Conyngham

THE MARQUESSES CONYNGHAM WERE THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 27,613 ACRES

The family of CONYNGHAM was originally of Scottish descent, and of very great antiquity in that part of the United Kingdom.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, Bishop of Argyll, a younger son of William, 4th Earl of Glencairn, in 1539, left a son,

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, of Cunninghamhead, Ayrshire, who had two sons,

WILLIAM, who succeeded at Cuninghamhead, and was created a baronet in 1627, designated of Cunninghamhead, Ayr; and

THE REV ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM or CONYNGHAM, who, entering into Holy Orders and removing into Ireland, was appointed, in 1611, the first protestant minister of Enver and Killymard, County Donegal.

He was appointed to the deanery of Raphoe, in 1630, on the consecration of Dean Adair as Lord Bishop of Killaloe.

Dean Conyngham settled at Mount Charles, County Donegal, which estate he held, by lease, from the Earl of Annandale, and wedded Marion, daughter of John Murray, of Broughton, by whom he had no less than 27 children, of which four sons and five daughters survived infancy.

The Dean died in 1660, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR ALBERT CUNNINGHAM or CONYNGHAM, Knight,  Colonel, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, who was appointed, in 1660, Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance in Ireland.

Sir Albert fought on the side of WILLIAM III at the Boyne, Limerick etc, and fell in a rencounter with the Rapparees, near Colooney in County Sligo.

He espoused Mary, daughter of the Rt Rev Robert Leslie, Lord Bishop of Raphoe, and was succeeded, on his decease, 1691, by his only surviving son,

MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY CONYNGHAM, of Slane Castle, MP for Killybegs, 1692-3, County Donegal, 1695-1706, who served during the reign of JAMES II as captain in Mountjoy's Regiment.

When JAMES II desired his army to shift for itself, Conyngham prevailed upon 500 of his regiment to remain united, and with them offered his services to WILLIAM III.

He became subsequently Major-General, and fell, 1706, at St Estevan's, in Spain.

General Conyngham wedded Mary, daughter of Sir John Williams Bt, of Minster Court, Kent, and widow of Charles, Lord Shelburne, by whom he got a very considerable property, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Henry;
Mary.

He was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM CONYNGHAM, of Slane (an estate forfeited, in 1641, by Lord Slane), who was succeeded at his decease by his brother,

THE RT HON HENRY CONYNGHAM (1705-81), captain of horse on the Irish establishment, MP for Killybegs, 1727-53, when he was elevated to the peerage, in 1753, in the dignity of Baron Conyngham, of Mount Charles, County Donegal.

His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1756, as Viscount Conyngham; and further advanced, in 1781, as Earl Conyngham, the barony to descend, in case of failure of issue, to Francis Pierpoint Burton, the eldest son of his sister Mary, by Francis Burton.

His lordship married, in 1774, Ellen, only daughter and heir of Solomon Merret; but dying without an heir, in 1781, all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Conyngham, which devolved, according to the limitation, upon the above-mentioned

FRANCIS PIERPOINT BURTON as 2nd Baron (c1725-87), who wedded, in 1750, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the Rt Hon Nathaniel Clements, and sister of Robert, Earl of Leitrim, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Francis Nathaniel (Sir), GCH;
Catherine; Ellena; Henrietta.

His lordship, on inheriting the title and estates of his uncle, assumed the surname and arms of CONYNGHAM.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 3rd Baron (1766-1832), who, in 1787, was created Viscount Conyngham, of Slane, County Meath; Viscount Mount Charles, of Mount Charles, County Donegal; and, in 1797, Earl Conyngham.

In 1801, Lord Conyngham was appointed a Knight of St Patrick. In 1803, he was appointed Governor of County Donegal, a post he held until 1831, and Custos Rotulorum of County Clare in 1808, which he remained until his death.

His lordship was created, in 1816, Viscount Slane, Earl of Mount Charles, and MARQUESS CONYNGHAM.

In 1821, he was created Baron Minster, of Minster Abbey, Kent, sworn of the Privy Council, and appointed Lord Steward, a post he retained until 1830.

From 1829 until his death, in 1832, he served as Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle.

• Henry Conyngham, 1st Marquess (1766–1832);
  • Henry F Conyngham, Earl of Mount Charles (1795–1824);
• Francis Nathaniel Conyngham, 2nd Marquess (1797–1876);
• George Henry Conyngham, 3rd Marquess (1825–82);
• Henry Francis Conyngham, 4th Marquess (1857–97);
• Victor George Henry Francis Conyngham, 5th Marquess (1883–1918);
• Frederick William Burton Conyngham, 6th Marquess (1890–1974);
• Frederick William Henry Francis Conyngham, 7th Marquess (1924–2009);
• Henry Vivien Pierpont Conyngham, 8th Marquess (1951-2025).

 Alexander Burton Conyngham, is 9th Marquess.

The heir apparent is his son Rory Nicholas Burton Conyngham, styled Earl of Mount Charles.

 

The Marquesses Conyngham were seated at The Hall, Mount Charles, County Donegal, now thought to be unoccupied.

The Hall is an early to mid-18th century double, gable-ended house of three storeys and five bays.

It has a pedimented door-case, bold quoins and a solid parapet concealing the roof and end gables.

At one end of the house there is a conservatory porch with astrigals and round-headed windows.

A salt works (also in the grounds of the former Conyngham estate) provided employment to local people during the 18th century.

8th Marquess Conyngham (1951-2025)

The present Lord and Lady Conyngham continue to live at the ancestral seat, Slane Castle, County Meath.

Buncraggy House

BUNCRAGGY HOUSE, one of several notable houses on the Conyngham Estate, was home of the Burton family for most of the 18th century.

The house remained in the possession of the O'Gorman family until the end of the 19th century, when it became the property of the Caher family.

The house is still occupied and the yard buildings are the centre of a farming enterprise.

Other properties included Islandmagrath, Burtonhill House, Summerhill and Meelick House.

First published in November, 2011.  Conyngham arms courtesy of European Heraldry.