The Mount Stewart Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Gardens, County Down

DATE: 1955

EXTENT: 77.38 acres

DONOR: Derek, Viscount Bury

*****

PROPERTY: Temple of the Winds, Mount Stewart Estate

DATE: 1963

EXTENT: 3.61 acres

DONOR: Mairi, Viscountess Bury (the Lady Mairi Bury)

*****

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart House

DATE: 1976

EXTENT: 13.03 acres

DONOR: The Lady Mairi Bury

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PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Land and Buildings

DATE: 1987-2009

EXTENT: 6.43 acres

DONOR: The Lady Mairi Bury

*****

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Lands

DATE: 2015

EXTENT: 900 acres.

First published in January, 2015.

Ballinahown Court

THE ENNIS BARONETS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY WESTMEATH, WITH 8,774 ACRES

The family of ENNIS, originally from County Down, became established in County Meath a considerable time since.

ANDREW ENNIS, of Roebuck, County Dublin, was engaged extensively in commercial pursuits and realized a very large fortune.

Mr Ennis purchased, in 1800, the Griffinstown estate, County Westmeath, and subsequently made considerable additions to his landed property by the acquisition of portions of the Rochfort and Malone estates, including Ballinahown, the property of the Malones.

Ballinahown Court was purchased in 1829 for £26,000 (about £2.3 million in 2023).

He married Mary, daughter of Matthew McManus, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Ellen; Marianne; Jane; Alicia.

Mr Ennis died in 1834, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN ENNIS DL (1809-78), of Ballinahown Court, High Sheriff of County Westmeath, 1837, Dublin, 1839, Director, Bank of Ireland, MP for Athlone, 1857-65, who married, in 1833, Anna Maria, eldest daughter of David Henry, of the city of Dublin (and sister of Sir Thomas Henry, of London), and had issue,

JOHN JAMES, his heir;
Mary; Josephine; Elizabeth.

Mr Ennis was created a baronet in 1866, designated of Ballinahown Court, County Westmeath.

He was succeeded by his only son,

SIR JOHN JAMES ENNIS JP DL, 2nd Baronet (1842-84), of Ballinahown Court, High Sheriff of County Westmeath, 1866, MP for Athlone, 1868-80.

The baronetcy expired in 1884 following the 2nd Baronet's decease.

BALLINAHOWN COURT, near Athlone, County Westmeath, was built in 1746 for Edmond Malone MP.

It has three storeys over a basement; a three-bay front; and tripartite doorway with pediment and fanlight.

The pediment extends over the door and side-lights and is carried on pilasters.

There is a parapet roof.

A single-storey wing is at one side.

Ballinahown was sold about 1830 to Andrew Ennis.

It was subsequently inherited by the family of The O'Donoghue of the Glens, by whom it was sold ca 1965 to Mr Basil Crofts-Greene, who re-sold the house ca 1976.

An accomplished and very well-proportioned mid-18th century country house, built in a sophisticated classical style, which retains it early form, fabric and character. 

This building is, perhaps, the most elegant example of a country house the south of County Westmeath, certainly of its date, and must have been designed by an architect of some note, perhaps even by Richard Castle (died 1751) as suggested by some sources. 

This grand house is unusual in that it is constructed of brick, a very rare building material in Westmeath at the time of construction. 

The proximity of this house to the River Shannon (transport) probably accounts for its use here at Ballinahown Court. 

The juxtaposition between the warm red brick and the extensive grey ashlar limestone detailing creates an interesting and visually appealing textural and visual contrast. 

The fine pedimented Tuscan door-case is a noteworthy feature of artistic merit and this door-case dominates the entrance façade. 

This fine house was originally built for Edmond Malone (lawyer and later MP for Granard) and his wife Ruth Malone. 

It later passed into the ownership of the Ennis Family (Andrew Ennis bought the house in 1828), who much improved the estate during the mid-to-late nineteenth-century and were probably responsible for the construction of the single-storey wing to the south-west side, which blends in seamlessly with the mid-eighteenth century fabric. 

It later passed into the ownership of John Ennis, who was elected MP for Athlone in 1857, and subsequently to his son, John James Ennis, who was elected MP for Athlone in 1868.

The present house is built on the site of an earlier castle, the home of a branch of the Malone Family since the middle ages, of which no extant remains are readily visible.

The house forms the centrepiece of an interesting group of related structures and is an important element of the architectural heritage of Westmeath and of the history of the Ballinahown local area. 

Former town residences ~ 36 Curzon Street, London; Merrion Square, Dublin.

First published in July, 2013.   Ennis arms courtesy of the NLI.

The Minnowburn Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Terrace Hill, Minnowburn, near Belfast, County Antrim

DATE: 1963

EXTENT: 9.01 acres

DONOR: Messrs H W and F M Clokey

*****

PROPERTY: Land at Terrace Hill

DATE: 1992

EXTENT: 0.35 acres

DONOR: Department of Health & Social Services for Northern Ireland

First published in January, 2015.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mrs Alyson Scott
Bellaghy
County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County her Commission bearing date the 20th September, 2023.


Signed:

Lord Lieutenant of the County

Lismore Castle

THE DUKES OF DEVONSHIRE WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY WATERFORD, WITH 27,483 ACRES

The noble family of CAVENDISH, of which two branches obtained dukedoms, laid the foundations of its greatness originally on the share of abbey lands, obtained, at the dissolution of the monasteries, by Sir William Cavendish, who had been gentleman usher to Cardinal Wolsey, and died in 1557; and subsequently, by the abilities and the good fortune of Elizabeth, his widow, who re-married George, Earl of Shrewsbury.

But though thence arose the exalted rank and extensive possessions enjoyed at present by the Cavendishes, be it not supposed that their remote ancestors were obscure.

Whether the first of the name who enjoyed the lordship of Cavendish, in Suffolk, was or was not the son of a member of the baronial family of GERNON, it is clearly ascertained that Sir John Cavendish was Chief Justice of the King's Bench, 1372-81.

WILLIAM, 4TH DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, KG (1720-64), eldest son of William, 3rd Duke, LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND, espoused, in 1748, Charlotte, Baroness Clifford, of Lanesborough, only daughter and heir of Richard, Earl of Burlington and Cork (by which union the barony of Clifford came into the Cavendish family).

In 1753, the 4th Duke and Duchess inherited the Lismore estate, located mainly in County Waterford.

The present Duke continues to own property in and around the town of Lismore, County Waterford, including Lismore Castle.

LISMORE CASTLE, County Waterford, is an impressive building of great historic importance, incorporating the fabric of various building projects dating primarily to the 17th and 19th centuries.

The remains of medieval fabric to some towers confirm the archaeological significance of the site.

The castle forms a dominant landmark feature in the centre of Lismore, the range to the north looming over the River Blackwater; while the various battlemented towers and turrets ornament the skyline, and are visible from some distance.

Well maintained, the castle retains most of the original fabric throughout, both to the exterior and to the interior, while internal schemes, including the Great Hall completed to the designs of John Gregory Crace (1809-89) and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52), incorporate features of artistic design importance, together with open timber roof constructions of technical interest.

The Castle has been visited by renowned dignitaries, and has played a central role in the development and historic events of the locality.

It comprises a multiple-bay, two, three, four and five-storey rubble stone edifice, reconstructed in 1849, on a complex quadrangular plan about a courtyard incorporating fabric of earlier rebuilding in 1812.

The original castle of 1612 contains medieval fabric throughout, comprising a single-bay, five-stage entrance tower on a square plan having shallow segmental-headed carriageway, single-bay three-stage flanking tower to west on a square plan, four-bay two-storey range to east extending into single-bay three-stage corner tower to south-east on a square plan having single-bay four-stage turret to south, and three-bay two-storey range to west.

Its construction is complex and further reading can easily be obtained elsewhere.

It is set back from the road in own grounds, forming a demesne with gravel courtyard to the centre of buildings.

Landscaped grounds are to the north, falling down to the River Blackwater.

First published in April, 2012.

The Killynether Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Killynether Woods and Buildings, near Newtownards, County Down

DATE: 1937

EXTENT: 42 acres

DONOR: Miss J H Weir

First published in January, 2015

Lismacue House

THE BAKERS OWNED 1,328 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TIPPERARY

THOMAS BAKER, the first of this family who settled at Lattinmore, County Tipperary, went over to Ireland with the Lord Deputy, the Earl of Sussex. His widow, Anne Baker, who was living at Knockroid, Barony of Clanwilliam, 1642, put in her claim, and that of her son, Walter, as sufferers in 1641.

This son,

WALTER BAKER, entered Trinity College, Dublin, 1640, aged 17, as second son of Thomas Baker, of Lattin, born at Ballincallagh, 1623.

He obtained a re-grant from CHARLES II of the lands at Killenaliff, Lattinmore, and Lattinbeg, Yorticord and Kilpatrick, County Tipperary, containing 1,200 Irish acres.

This patent was enrolled in 1677, and it states that the lands were in Thomas Baker's possession "long before the Great Rebellion" of 1641.

He wedded Martha Osborne, and left issue, three sons and two daughters.

The second son,

RICHARD BAKER, of Lattinmore, County Tipperary, succeeded his father.

He married and left issue, a son,

WILLIAM BAKER, High Sheriff of County Tipperary, 1726, who purchased, in 1700 (from Colonel Blunt), the estate of Lismacue.

He espoused, in 1700, Margaret, eldest daughter of Hugh Massy, of Duntrileague, County Limerick, and had issue (with two daughters),

HUGH, his heir;
Charles;
Thomas;
Richard;
William;
Walter;
Godfrey.

The eldest son,

HUGH BAKER, of Lismacue, married, in 1730, Catherine, daughter of Robert Ryves, of Ryves Castle, Ballyskiddane, County Limerick, and died in 1772, having had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Thomas;
Hugh;
Walter;
Edward;
Kilner;
Elizabeth; Margaret; Catherine.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM BAKER, of Lisnacue, Colonel, Irish Volunteers, wedded Elizabeth, second daughter of the Very Rev Charles Massy, Dean of Limerick, and sister of Sir Hugh Dillon Massy, 1st Baronet, of Donass, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Hugh, father of HUGH;
Charles Massy;
Robert;
Elizabeth; Catherine; Grace; Margaret.

Mr Baker died in 1808, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM BAKER, of Lismacue, who espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Roberts, 1st Baronet, of Britfieldstown, County Cork, but dsp.

Mr Baker was murdered in 1815, when he was succeeded by his nephew,

HUGH BAKER (1798-1868), of Lismacue, who married Marion, only child of Charles Conyers, of Castletown Conyers, County Limerick, and had issue,

HUGH, his heir;
CHARLES CONYERS MASSY, of Lismacue, which he purchased from his brother's heirs;
William;
Augustine Fitzgerald (Sir);
Marion Elizabeth; Anne; Elizabeth Henrietta; Mary Rachel.

Mr Baker was succeeded by his eldest son,

HUGH BAKER (1845-87), of Lismacue, who wedded, in 1879, Frances Elizabeth, daughter of John Massy, of Kingswell, County Tipperary, and had issue,

HUGH, b 1880;
Alice Maud Massy, b 1883.

Mr Baker's brother,

CHARLES CONYERS MASSY BAKER JP (1847-1905), of Lismacue, espoused, in 1880, Harriet Booth, daughter of George Allen, of Oakdale, Surrey, and had issue,

ALLEN, his heir;
Conyers;
Massy;
Dennis;
Irene.

Mr Baker was succeeded by his eldest son,

ALLEN BAKER (1881-1969), of Lismacue, who married firstly, in 1910, Frances Violet, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel William Cooper-Chadwick, of Ballinard, County Tipperary, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Mary Rachel; Elizabeth Anne.

He wedded secondly, in 1935, Julia Dorothy, daughter of William Parry Evans.

Mr Baker was succeeded by his son and heir,

WILLIAM BAKER (1913-), of Lisnacue, who espoused, in 1950, Brenda Katherine, daughter of John Gillespie Aitken, and had issue, an only child,

KATHERINE (Kate) RACHEL BAKER (1952-), of Lismacue, who owns and manages the estate with her husband, James Nicholson.

Garden front

LISMACUE HOUSE, near Bansha, County Tipperary, was completed in 1813 to the design of William Robertson.

William Baker purchased Lismacue in 1705 from Charles Blount and the estate has been owned by his descendants ever since.

The house is two-storey building over a basement in a mildly Tudor-Gothic style that is far more restrained than his more exuberant later work.

The external walls are rendered with ‘eyebrows’ over the windows and restrained pinnacles and crenellations, including, most unusually, a single small battlemented pediment on each front.

The façade is three bays wide, with a single storied Gothick open porch supported on elegant square columns.

Its tripartite arrangement is echoed by the door-case behind.

Entrance front

The two other fronts are both five bays wide while the lower wing to the north, terminates in a gable, almost entirely filled with a single large window with robust Gothic tracery

The interior is classically late Georgian, covered with a thin Gothick layer.

The large rooms have good plasterwork, a fine wide staircase, and a wonderful set of mahogany doors on the ground floor.

Several rooms retain their early wallpaper, dating from the 1830s.

Outside is fine open parkland, with wonderful views of the Galtee Mountains and the Glen of Aherlow, and a superb (and unusually long) avenue of lime trees, dating from the 18th century.

The present owners are Jim Nicholson and his wife Kate, who inherited Lismacue from her father, William Baker.

First published in January, 2018.  Select bibliography ~ Irish Historic Houses Association.