Blayney Castle

THE BARONS BLAYNEY WERE THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY MONAGHAN, WITH 24,546 ACRES

SIR EDWARD BLAYNEY (1570-1629), Knight, a native of Wales, said to be descended from Cadwallader, King of Cambria and a younger son of the Prince of Wales, had been employed from his youth in the armies of ELIZABETH I. He accompanied Robert, Earl of Essex, as Colonel, into Ireland, 1598, where he obtained both wealth and renown in the subsequent wars.

Sir Edward, Governor of Monaghan, was granted the thirty-two townlands of Ballynalurgan and in 1611 he obtained the termon of Muckno as well.

Blayney built a castle, around which a Planter village soon began to develop.

This was the origin of the present town of Castleblayney.

Sir Edward married Anne, second daughter of the Most Rev Dr Adam Loftus, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND, by whom he had, with six daughters, two sons,

HENRY (Sir), his successor;
ARTHUR (Sir), of Castle Shane.

Sir Edward was elevated to the peerage by JAMES I, in 1621, in the dignity of BARON BLAYNEY, of Monaghan.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

HENRY, 2nd Baron, who wedded, in 1623, Jane, daughter of Gerald, Viscount Drogheda, by whom he had two surviving sons and five daughters.

His lordship, who was a military man, was slain at the battle of Benburb, County Tyrone, 1646, and was succeeded by his elder son,

EDWARD, 3rd Baron (c1625-69), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother, 

RICHARD, 4th Baron (c1625-70), who was high in favour with CROMWELL, and had been appointed, in 1656, the usurper's custos-rotulorum of County Monaghan, and escheator of County Tyrone.

His lordship espoused firstly, in 1653, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr Alderman Vincent, of Dublin, MP, by whom he had several children; and secondly, Jane, daughter of John Malloch.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY VINCENT, 5th Baron, who wedded Margaret Moore, eldest sister of John, 1st Lord Tullamore, by whom he had an only surviving child, Elinor.

His lordship fled Castleblayney at the outbreak of the Williamite wars and was chosen as commander-in-chief of the Protestant forces raised to defend Monaghan and Armagh against JAMES II, who transmitted it to his brother, 

WILLIAM, 6th Baron, who married, in 1686, Mary, eldest daughter of William, 1st Viscount Charlemont, and dying in 1705, was succeeded by his only surviving son, 

CADWALLADER, 7th Baron (1693-1732), who married Mary, daughter of the Hon John Tucket, and niece of Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and had issue.

His lordship espoused secondly, Mary, daughter and heiress of Sir Alexander Cairnes Bt, of Monaghan.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE VERY REV CHARLES TALBOT, 8th Baron (1714-61), Dean of Killaloe, at whose decease, without surviving issue, the title devolved upon his brother, 

CADWALLADER, 9th Baron (1720-75), who married, in 1767, Sophia, daughter of Thomas Tipping, of Beaulieu, and had issue,

CADWALLADER DAVIS, his successor;
ANDREW THOMAS, succeeded his brother;
Sophia; Mary.

His lordship, a lieutenant-general in the army, was succeeded by his elder son,

CADWALLADER DAVIS, 10th Baron (1769-84); at whose decease, unmarried, the title reverted to his brother,

ANDREW THOMAS, 11th Baron (1770-1834), a lieutenant-general in the army, who wedded, in 1796, Mabella, eldest daughter of James, 1st Earl of Caledon, and had issue,

CADWALLADER DAVIS, his successor;
Anne; Charlotte Sophia.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

CADWALLADER DAVIS, 12th Baron (1802-74), MP for County Monaghan, 1830-34, at whose decease, unmarried, the title expired.

The Caledon Connection

The Caledon estate in County Tyrone is just a few fields away from that of the Leslies in Glaslough, County Monaghan, and the Earls of Caledon themselves owned some land in County Monaghan.

Because of the family connection between the lst and 2nd Earls and the 11th Lord Blayney, who was their son-in-law and brother-in-law respectively, the correspondence between Blayney and the two earls yields a lot of information about his military and political careers; for example, the siege of Alexandria and as a prisoner of war in Napoleonic France.

During Blayney's long incarceration, the 2nd Earl of Caledon looked after his financial, domestic, and political affairs, thus being drawn into the Monaghan sphere.

This brought political figures such as Dawson and Leslie beating a path to Caledon's door, because during this period he was the representative of Blayney and 'the Blayney interest'.

On his return, Blayney was given a seat in parliament for Caledon's infamous 'rotten borough' of Old Sarum, Wiltshire. Later, he attempted to get Caledon to use his influence with the Government to get him elected an Irish Representative Peer.

This yields a very illuminating and often pained correspondence between the two men.

The Blayney/Hope Papers are deposited at PRONI.

HOPE CASTLE, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, formerly known as Blayney Castle after the plantation castle nearby (from which the town gets its name), has had many owners and uses over the years.

Originally a three storey, five bay Georgian block, the house received many embellishments during the Victorian era including scrolled cresting on the roof parapets and at one stage an ornamental cast iron and glass porch canopy.

In 1853, Cadwaller, 12th and last Lord Blayney, sold the Castle and estate to Henry Thomas Hope from Deepdene in Surrey, a former MP at Westminster.

Thereafter the Castle was renamed Hope Castle, as it still called.

Hope gave the Georgian Castle with its splendid prospect a Victorian makeover that the present building retains, externally at least.

After his death in 1862, Hope's wife Anne inherited the estate.

Soon after 1887, the Castle and demesne fell to the next heir, a grandson of Hope: Lord Henry Francis Hope Pelham-Clinton-Hope, famous for having sold the renowned family heirloom, the Hope Diamond.

From 1900 until 1904, the Castle became the residence of Field-Marshal HRH The Duke of Connaught,  Commander-in-Chief, Ireland.

After 1916, Lord Henry no longer resided in the Castle nor in Ireland.

On becoming 8th Duke of Newcastle in 1928, he later sold both the Castle and the estate, which was broken up and used in part for local political patronage.

In 1919-21, the Castle was used as a barracks by the British Army.

Some time afterwards it functioned as a hospital; and from 1943-74, it was occupied by Franciscan nuns who also managed an adjacent guest house.

After some years of neglect, the Castle has been used for catering and hotel purposes set in what is now a Leisure Park with golf course.

In October 2010, the Castle was burnt down in an arson attack.

The building has suffered greatly during its lifetime – after being an convent, it remained empty for many years and was taken over the the local County Council who demolished the 19th century additions to the garden and main fronts and renovated the building.

Its most interesting internal feature – a Soanesque top-lit upper stair landing, was destroyed during the building’s phase of dereliction.

The estate still has a good stable-yard and cast-iron gateway with matching gatehouses.

First published in July, 2012.  

1st Baron Cushendun

TORQUIL MacNEILL, born ca 1380, Chief of the Clan Neill, of Taynish and Gigha, Constable of Castle Sween, in Knapdale, Argyllshire, was father of

HECTOR McNEILL, Constable of Castle Sween, 1463-72, whose eldest son, 

NEILL McNEILL, was father of

NEILL McNEILL, of Taynish, who became his heir-in-law to Gigha in 1554.

His eldest son, 

TORQUIL McNEILL, of Taynish and Gigha, had two sons, of whom the elder,

NEILL McNEILL, had, with other issue, a second son,

NEILL OGE McNEILL, of Durlocher, father of

LACHLAN McNEILL, of Terfergus and Losset, Argyllshire, who wedded firstly, Mary McNeill, of Colonsay, and had a large family.

The third son,

NEILL McNEILL, settled in County Antrim, 1676, and married Rose Stuart, of Garry, in the same county, by whom he had issue,

LACHLAN McNEILL, of Cushendun, County Antrim, who wedded Jane Macnaghten, of Benvarden, County Antrim, and had several children.

The eldest son,

NEILL McNEILL, of Cushendun, espoused Christian Hamilton, of Londonderry, and was father of

EDMUND McNEILL, of Cushendun, who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Hamilton, of Londonderry.

Mr McNeill died in 1790, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDMUND ALEXANDER McNEILL JP (c1785-1879), of Cushendun, who was served heir, in 1815, to the entailed estate of Ugadale, in Kintyre; but in an action to recover possession, was defeated by the prescriptive title of the occupier.

He wedded, in 1817, Rose, eldest daughter of Alexander McNeile JP, of Colliers Hall, Ballycastle, and had, with other issue,

EDMUND McNEILL JP DL (1821-1915), of Craigdun and Cushendun, County Antrim, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1879, who married, in 1851, Mary, eldest daughter of Alexander Miller, of Ballycastle, by Jane, his wife, second daughter of Alexander McNeile, of Colliers Hall, and had, with other issue,

RONALD JOHN McNEILL, 1ST BARON CUSHENDUN PC DL.

The Rt Hon Ronald John McNeill (1861-1934), statesman, parliamentarian, was elevated to the peerage, in 1927, in the dignity of BARON CUSHENDUN, of Cushendun, County Antrim.

A barrister by profession, he was elected Member of Parliament for Kent, St. Austine's Division between 1911-27; Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1922-24; Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1924-25; Financial Secretary to the Treasury between 1925-27.

Lord Cushendun was appointed a privy counsellor in 1927, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1927-29.

Lord Cushendun took his title from the village designed by Clough Williams-Ellis in memory of his Cornish wife, Maud, who died in 1925.

He was acting Foreign Secretary in 1928.

Lord Cushendun retired from office in 1929, and died five years later in Cushendun.

He married Elizabeth Maud Bolitho in 1884, and they had three daughters:

Esther Rose;
Loveday Violet;
Mary Morvenna Bolitho.

Elizabeth, Lady Cushendun, died in 1925.

Lord Cushendun married Catherine Sydney Louisa Margesson as his second wife in 1930. She survived him, dying in 1939.

He died without male issue in 1934, when the title became extinct.

GLENMONA HOUSE, Neo-Georgian in style, was built in 1923 to replace an earlier house which was burnt in 1922.

The National Trust remarks that Glenmona Lodge was built around 1834 and later enlarged by Michael Harrison.

Ronald John McNeill, 1st Baron Cushendun came to live at Glenmona in 1910 and set about transforming the village.

His rebuilding of Glenmona House, however, was forced upon him when the IRA burned the house down in 1922.

He consequently commissioned Clough Williams-Ellis to design a new house, built from the remaining shell of the original. A new wing was added to the side.

The house, along with most of the McNeills' property in the village, was bought by the National Trust in 1954.

For several years the house was leased to the Health and Social Care Board and used as a nursing home.

It has since, however, been taken back by the National Trust.

Since then, the local community and key stakeholders have been involved in an ongoing consultation about its future.

The family's main residence became CRAIGDUN CASTLE; while Glenmona was increasingly used as a holiday home.

Glenmona comprises two storeys at the front and three at the rear.

The principal front has two, three-sided bows joined by an arcade on Tuscan columns.

The roof is high with a solid parapet; external shutters to the windows.

Glenmona was originally a residence of General the 3rd Viscount O'Neill (1780-1855).

Former London residence ~ 18 Cadogan Place.

First published in May, 2010.

Salt Island Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: SALT ISLAND & Green Island, Strangford Lough, County Down

DATE:  1980

EXTENT: 65.98 acres

DONOR:  William Thompson

Salt Island (Image: Longshore International.com)

First published in February, 2015.

Hampstead Hall

THE McCLINTOCKS OF HAMPSTEAD HALL OWNED 54 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY LONDONDERRY

JOHN McCLINTOCK, son of John McClintock, of Hampstead Hall, County Londonderry, by Sarah his wife, daughter of James Acheson, married Margaret, daughter of Robert Alexander, merchant of Derry, and had issue,

WILLIAM KERR, his heir;
John;
Robert;
Hugh;
James;
Samuel, of Gransha lodge;
Eliza; Anne; Jane.

Mr McClintock died in 1802, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM KERR McCLINTOCK JP (1788-1841), of Hampstead Hall, who wedded, in 1818, Sarah, eldest daughter of William Macky, of Derry, and had issue,

John Kerr;
William Kerr Macky;
THOMPSON MACKY, of whom hereafter;
Kerr;
Sarah; Anne; Ellen Macky; Louisa.

The third son,

THOMPSON MACKY McCLINTOCK JP (1826-1904), of Hampstead Hall, Captain, 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, espoused, in 1856, Sarah Maria, elder daughter of the Rev John Conyngham McCausland, Rector of Clonmore, County Louth, and Sarah Anne his wife, daughter of Edward Elsmere and Sarah de Renzi his wife, of Clobemon Hall and Baltinglass, County Wexford, and had issue,

WILLIAM KERR, his heir;
John Conyngham;
Kerr;
Edward Elsmere;
Sarah Louisa; Ada Elsmere; Sydney Maria; Elizabeth Maude.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM KERR McCLINTOCK (1858-1940), of Hampstead Hall, and Redvers House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Colonel Commanding 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, married, in 1895, Edith Mary, daughter of William Rowland Swanston, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and had issue,

William Kerr, b 1896;
Violet Kerr, 1902-3;
Anne Kerr, b 1904;
Margaret Kerr, b 1908.

HAMPSTEAD HALL, Culmore Road, Londonderry, is a two-storey, five bay Georgian house over a basement.

Two chimneystacks are prominent, as do quoins.

It has a hipped roof and a central, fan-lighted doorway with Tuscan-style, Doric columns.

Hampstead Hall was once called Greenhaw.

It is thought that the present house dates from 1820, and was rebuilt ca 1850.

Hampstead was owned from 1959 till 1979 by Mr Halliday; later by Dr Duff, who sold the land for housing development and erected a bungalow nearby.

The present owner bought the house with existing gardens and outbuildings in 1982.

During the 2nd World War the land was occupied with military installations.

The current owner has begun restoring the house and recapturing its architectural character and detailing.

It is renowned for its fine, landscaped gardens.

First published in February, 2017.

1st Earl of Cork

Coat-of-arms of the Barons Boyle

THE EARLS OF CORK AND ORRERY WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CORK, WITH 20,195 ACRES

LEWIS BOYLE, of Bidney, Herefordshire, descendant of Ludowick Boyle (living in the reign of HENRY III), was founder of the Friars in the city of Hereford, and was living in the time of HENRY VI (1421-71).

He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Russell, of Hereford, and had issue, two sons, of whom the younger son,

ROGER BOYLE, of Canterbury, Kent, wedded Jane, daughter of Thomas Patishall, of Hereford, and had, with other issue, three sons,

John, of Hereford;

ROGER, of whom hereafter;

Michael, ancestor of Boyle, VISCOUNT BLESINGTON.

The second son,

ROGER BOYLE, of Canterbury and Preston, by Haversham, Kent, espoused, in 1564, Joan, daughter of John Naylor, of Renville, Kent.

He died in 1576, having had issue, three sons and two daughters, of whom,

John (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Cork and Cloyne;

RICHARD, of whom presently;

Mary, m Sir Richard Smyth, of Ballynatray.

The second son,

THE RT HON RICHARD BOYLE (1566-1643), studied law at the Middle Temple; but despairing, from his scanty means, of being able to pursue his studies, embarked for Ireland as an adventurer; and having obtained, after suffering some persecutions from the local authorities, the favour and protection of ELIZABETH I, amassed considerable wealth, received the honour of Knighthood, was sworn of the Privy Council, and elevated to the Peerage of that Kingdom, 1616, as Baron Boyle, Baron of Youghal (whose armorial bearings are atop); and, in 1620, created Viscount Dungarvan, County Waterford, and EARL OF CORK.

His lordship, who was called "The great Earl of Cork," and who left a narrative of his remarkable career, entitled The True Remembrancer, married firstly,  in 1595, Joan, daughter and co-heir of William Apsley, of Limerick, with whom he acquired an estate of 500l a year, but by whom he had no issue.

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork (Image: National Gallery of Ireland)

He wedded secondly, 1603, Catherine, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Fenton, Knight, Principal Secretary of State for Ireland, and had,

RICHARD, his successor;

Geoffrey;

Lewis;

ROGER, created EARL OF ORRERY;

Francis, created VISCOUNT SHANNON;

Robert, of Stalbridge, Dorset;

Alice; Sarah; Lettice; Joan; Katherine; Dorothy; Mary; Margaret.

The great Earl of Cork, who was Lord Treasurer of Ireland, died at Youghal, 1643, and lies interred in his chapel with an inscription expressing his own marriages, titles and employments, which concludes with this distich ~

"Sic posui tumulum, superest intendere Votis

 Parce animæ, carnem solvito, Christe veni."

The 1st Earl's wife, Lady Cork, died previously in Dublin, 1629-30, and was privately buried in a vault wherein a fair monument is erected, headed with this motto, "God's providence is our inheritance."

Lord Cork's principal country seat in Ireland was Lismore Castle in County Waterford.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl of Cork and 1st Earl of Burlington (1612-98), of Burlington House, Mayfair, London, who espoused, in 1635, the Lady Elizabeth Clifford, daughter and heiress of Henry, 5th Earl of Cumberland.

He succeeded his younger brother as Viscount Boyle in 1642, and his father as Earl of Cork, 1643, and was made a Peer of England, in 1644, as Baron Clifford, of Lanesborough, Yorkshire; and, in 1664, was created EARL OF BURLINGTON.

He had issue,

CHARLES, styled Viscount Dungarvan; father of 3rd Earl;

Richard, died at the battle of Lowestoft;

Frances; Elizabeth; Mary Anne; Henrietta.

His lordship was succeeded by his grandson,

CHARLES, 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd Earl of Burlington, who married, in 1688, Juliana, daughter and heiress of the Hon Henry Noel, of Luffenham, Rutland (2nd son of 3rd Viscount Campden), and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;

Elizabeth; Juliana; Jane; Henrietta.

His lordship died in 1704, and was succeeded by his only son,

RICHARD, 4th Earl of Cork and 3rd Earl of Burlington (1694-1753), KG, who wedded, in 1720, the Lady Dorothy Savile, elder daughter and co-heir of William, 2nd Marquess of Halifax, and by her, who died in 1758, had three daughters.

His lordship claimed, in 1737, the Barony of Clifford, as great-grandson of the Lady Elizabeth Clifford, daughter and heir of Henry, Lord Clifford; and the House of Lords acknowledged and confirmed his lordship's' right thereto.

This nobleman was eminent as a munificent encourager of literature and the fine arts, and as the friend of Pope he will be ever remembered.

He died in 1753, and having an only surviving daughter, CHARLOTTE, who had married the 4th Duke of Devonshire, and inherited the Barony of Clifford, all his lordship's other English honours ceased, while those of Ireland devolved upon his kinsman,

JOHN (1707-62), 5th Earl of Cork and 5th Earl of Orrery, in Ireland, and Baron Boyle of Marston in Great Britain (refer to Roger, third son of 1st Earl of Cork), who wedded firstly, in 1728, the Lady Henrietta Hamilton, youngest daughter of George, 1st Earl of Orkney, and had issue,

Charles, styled Viscount Dungarvan, dvp;

HAMILTON, 6th Earl;

Elizabeth.

He espoused secondly, in 1738, Margaret, daughter and sole heir of John Hamilton, of Caledon, County Tyrone, and had further issue,

EDMUND, 7th Earl;

Lucy; Catherine.

His lordship distinguished himself in the republic of letters, and was the friend of Swift, upon whom, and whose writings, he published Remarks.

He died in 1762, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

HAMILTON, 6th Earl of Cork (1729-64), MP for Charleville, 1759-60, and for Warwick, 1751-62, Doctor of Civil Law (DCL), Oxford, who died unmarried, when the honours devolved upon his half-brother,

EDMUND, 7th Earl (1742-98), who married, in 1764, Anne, daughter and heir of Kelland Courtenay, of Painsford, Devon, and had issue,

John Richard, styled Viscount Dungarvan, dvp 1768;

EDMUND, 8th Earl;

Courtenay (Sir), Vice-admiral;

Lucy Isabella.

The 7th Earl, whose first marriage was dissolved in 1782, wedded secondly, 1786, Mary, youngest daughter of 1st Viscount Galway.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

EDMUND, 8th Earl (1767-1856), KP, a General in the Army, ADC to The King, who espoused, in 1795, Isabella Henrietta, third daughter of William Poyntz, of Midgham, Berkshire, and had issue,

EDMUND WILLIAM, styled Viscount Dungarvan, dvp 1826;

George Richard ((1799-1810);

CHARLES, styled Viscount Dungarvan; father of 9th Earl;

JOHN, from whom the 12th, 13th, and 14th Earls descended;

Robert Edward, MP;

Richard Cavendish (Rev);

Isabella Elizabeth; Lucy Georgina; Louisa.

His lordship was succeeded by his grandson,  

RICHARD EDMUND ST LAWRENCE, 9th Earl (1829-1904), KP, ADC to QUEEN VICTORIA, 1889-99, who married, in 1853, the Lady Emily Charlotte de Burgh, second daughter of Ulick, 1st Marquess of Clanricarde, KP, and had issue,

CHARLES SPENCER CANNING, 10th Earl;

ROBERT JOHN LASCELLES, 11th Earl;

FitzAdelm Alfred Wentworth;

Emily Harriet Catherine; Grace Elizabeth; Honora Janet; Dorothy Blanche; Isabel Lettice Theodosia; Bertha Louise Canning.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES SPENCER CANNING, 10th Earl (1861-1925), who wedded, in 1918, Rosalie (Mrs Gray), daughter of William Waterman de Villiers, of Romsey, Hampshire, and dsp 1925, when he was succeeded by his brother,

ROBERT JOHN LASCELLES, 11th Earl (1864-1934), who wedded, in 1890, Josephine Catherine, only child of Joseph P Hale, of San Francisco, California, USA, and dsp 1934, when he was succeeded by his kinsman,

WILLIAM HENRY DUDLEY, as 12th Earl (1873-1967), GCB, GCVO, Admiral of the Fleet, who married, in 1902, the Lady Florence Cecilia Keppel, daughter of William, 7th Earl of Albemarle.

The marriage was without issue, and the honours reverted to his kinsman,

PATRICK REGINALD, as 13th Earl (1910-95), who wedded firstly, in 1952, Dorothy Kate, daughter of  Robert Ramsden; and secondly, in 1978, Mary Gabrielle, daughter of Louis Ginnett.

The marriages were without issue, and the honours reverted to his kinsman,

JOHN WILLIAM, as 14th Earl (1916-2003), DSC, VRD, who wedded, in 1943, Mary Leslie, daughter of General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, and had issue,

JOHN RICHARD, his successor;

Robert William;

Charles Reginald.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN RICHARD, 15th Earl, born in 1945, Lieutenant-Commander RN (Rtd), who married, in 1973, Rebecca Juliet, daughter of the Rt Hon Michael Antony Cristobal Noble, Baron Glenkinglas, PC, and has issue,

RORY JONATHAN COURTENAY, styled Viscount Dungarvan, his heir;

Cara Mary Cecilia; Davina Clare Theresa.                                                                                                                                                            

Lord Cork also owned 11,531 acres of land in County Kerry, 3,398 acres in Somerset, and 3,189 acres in County Limerick.

Ancestral seats ~ Lismore Castle, County Waterford; Marston Bigot Park, Frome, Somerset.

Former London residences ~  Burlington House, Mayfair; 68, South Audley Street.

Former Dublin residence ~ Cork House, Dame Street.

Ardgillan Castle

THE TAYLORS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY MEATH, WITH 9,000 ACRES AND 805 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DUBLIN

THE HON AND REV HENRY EDWARD TAYLOUR (1768-1852), youngest son of Thomas, 1st Earl of Bective KP, married, in 1807, Marianne, eldest daughter of Colonel the Hon Richard St Leger, and had issue,

THOMAS EDWARD, his heir;
Richard Chambré Hayes (General Sir), GCB;
Marianne Jane; Louisa Catherine.

The eldest son,

THE RT HON THOMAS EDWARD TAYLOR JP DL (1811-83), of Ardgillan Castle, County Dublin, MP for County Dublin, 1841-83, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Meath Militia, 1847-74, Honorary Colonel.

Colonel Taylor, who was a Lord of the Treasury 1858-59, and Joint Secretary of the Treasury 1866-68, was appointed in the last-named year Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and again in 1874-80.

He married, in 1862, Louisa Harrington, second daughter of the Rev and Hon Hugh Francis Tollemache, Rector of Harrington, Northamptonshire, and had issue,

EDWARD RICHARD, his heir;
Basil Reginald Hamilton, Lieutenant RN;
Cecil Cornelia Marianne St Leger; Beatrix Virginia Louisa Tollemache (twins).

Colonel Taylor died at his sister's house, 15 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, and was buried in the family vault at Balbriggan, County Dublin.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDWARD RICHARD TAYLOR JP DL (1863-1938), of Ardgillan Castle, Captain, Grenadier Guards, who espoused, in 1935, Ada, daughter of William Howe Bodley, though the marriage was without issue.

ARDGILLAN CASTLE, near Balbriggan, County Dublin, is set in the 200-acre Ardgillan demesne.

Featuring castellated embellishments, the building overlooks Barnageera Beach, the Irish Sea and Dublin (Balbriggan).

The castle comprises two storeys over a basement, which extends under the south lawns.

When occupied, the ground and first floors were the living accommodation; while the west and east wings were servants quarters and estate offices.

The basement was the service floor, the kitchen and stores.

The castle has now been restored and the ground floor rooms and kitchens are open to visitors for guided tours.

Tea-rooms are located off the main reception area and serving light snacks are open in conjunction with the Castle opening times.

Upstairs, the former bedrooms are used for classes and exhibitions including a permanent and unique exhibition of the "Down Survey" colour maps and text.

Ardgillan demesne is a popular local park, with a mix of woodlands and large grass open spaces.

The park contains a walled herb garden, rose garden, Victorian conservatory, tea rooms and an ice house.

A children's playground was added in 2006.

Ardgillan Castle provides guided tours and hosts exhibitions throughout the years.

A new Holistic Centre is set in the former Gardener's House in the corner of the Rose Garden.

The previous owner of the land was Robert Usher, a wine merchant from Tallaght.

When the Very Rev Robert Taylor bought the land it was quite a wooded area, so he employed some out of service soldiers from Bangor, County Down, and paid them one penny and a meal per day, as well as bed every night. They also received a tot of Bushmills whiskey, which was brought in for 2/2 a gallon.

The Castle was built by the Very Rev Robert Taylor in 1738.

The Very Rev Robert Taylor, Dean of Clonfert, was born in 1689 in Cheshire.

In 1714, having studied Holy Orders at Trinity College Dublin, he was appointed Archdeacon of Kilmacduagh in the Province of Tuam.

In 1722, he was appointed Precentor of Clonfert, where his brother-in-law Dr Fitzgerald was Dean.

By 1726 he was appointed Dean of Clonfert, only to resign within months.

Robert Taylor died unmarried in 1744 and Ardgillan, together with its estate, became the property of his eldest brother Sir Thomas Taylor, 2nd Baronet.

Ardgillan remained in the Taylor family until 1962, when the estate was sold to Heinrich Potts, of Westphalia, Germany.

In 1982, the estate was sold to Fingal County Council, which renovated the house.

It was officially opened to the public in 1992.

First published in April, 2013.

The Moore Baronets

THE RT HON SIR WILLIAM MOORE WAS THE SECOND LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND

JAMES MOORE migrated from Cumberland in the reign of JAMES I, and settled at Ballynacree More, parish of Ballymoney, County Antrim.

His grandson,

JAMES MOORE (c1650-c1727), of Ballynacree, was a member of the Society of Friends, and was distrained for tithes each year, 1675-82, by the Incumbent of Ballymoney, County Antrim.

His will, dated 1727, was proved by his three sons,

William, of Killead;
James, of Ballynacree;
JOSEPH, of whom presently.

The third son,

JOSEPH MOORE (c1684-), of Cullytrumin House and Rosnashane, County Antrim, wedded, in 1706, Susan Brady, of Grange, in same county, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
James, of Desertderrin, ancestor of MOORE of Moorefort;
John, ancestor of MOORE of Lischeihan;
Joseph, of Ahoghill;
Samson, of Moore Lodge;
George.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM MOORE (1708-), of Cullytrumin House and Rosnashane, espoused Elizabeth Courtenay, of Glenburn, and had (with three daughters), two sons,

JOSEPH, his heir;
William, of Killagan.

The elder son,

JOSEPH MOORE (c1735-), of Cullytrumin House and Rosnashane, a barrister, married Susan, daughter of Joseph Courtenay, of Glenburn, and had issue (with two daughters), three sons,

William, died young;
Thomas, Midshipman RN, drowned;
SAMSON, his successor.

The third and only surviving son,

SAMSON MOORE, of Cullytrumin House and Rosnashane, Captain, Finvoy Yeomanry, wedded, in 1787, Jane Ramadge, of Mullens, and had issue,

Thomas, died unmarried;
ALEXANDER, his heir;
William, military officer;
Joseph, died young;
Elizabeth; Jane; Martha; Alice.

Captain Moore died in 1832, and was succeeded by his second son,

DR ALEXANDER MOORE (c1795-1840), of Cullytrumin House and Rosnashane (which property was sold at his death), married, in 1821, Mary, daughter of Rev B Mitchell, and great-granddaughter of James Moore, of Desertderrin, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Samson, died unmarried;
Alexander, Colonel in the US Army;
George;
Thomas;
Courtenay (Rev), Rector of Mitchelstown and Canon of Cloyne;
Mary; Jane; Elizabeth.

Dr Moore died in 1840, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

DR WILLIAM MOORE JP (1826-1901), of Moore Lodge, County Antrim, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1890, President of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland, 1883-84, King's Professor of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen in Ireland, 1885 espoused, in 1863, Sidney Blanche, daughter of Captain Abraham Fuller, of Woodfield, King's County, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
John;
Alexander;
George Abraham (Dr);
Sydney William;
Roger Clotworthy.

The eldest son,

THE RT HON SIR WILLIAM MOORE (1864-1934), of Moore Lodge, married, in 1888, Helen Gertrude, fourth daughter of Joseph Wilson, of Clonmore, County Dublin (DL for Co Armagh), and had issue,

WILLIAM SAMSON, his successor;
Joseph Roger, b 1895;
Nina Mary Adelaide.

• MP for North Antrim, 1899-1906
• MP for North Armagh, 1906-17
• PPS to Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1902-04
• Puisne Judge, 1917
• Lord Justice of Appeal, 1921
• Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, 1925-37

 PRIVY COUNSELLORS (IRELAND)

The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to declare that the following shall be sworn of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council in Ireland:- The Hon William Moore KC, One of the Judges of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Ireland.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JUNE, 1932 

The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to signify his intention of conferring Baronetcies of the United Kingdom on the following:- The Right Honourable William Moore LL.D, DL, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

Sir William was the eldest son of Queen Victoria's honorary physician in Ireland, Dr William Moore of Rosnashane, Ballymoney. 

His family had come to Ulster during the Plantation, at which time they were Quakers, and settled at Ballymoney (the Moore Lodge estate was to be inherited from a relative).

In 1903, he was one of the first landowners in Ireland to sell off their estates under the Land Acts.

By the early 1920s, he owned a Belfast pied-à-terre called 'Glassnabreedon' at Whitehouse, north of Belfast, which was once owned by the son of Nicholas Grimshaw (1747-1805), Ireland's first cotton pioneer.

He was created a baronet in 1932, designated of Moore Lodge, County Antrim.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM SAMSON MOORE, 2nd Baronet (1891-1978), JP DL, of Moore Lodge, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1944, who wedded, in 1915, Ethel Cockburn Gordon, daughter of Walter Livingstone Wheeler, and had issue,

WILLIAM ROGER CLOTWORTHY, his successor;
Nina Pamela (1916-68).

Sir William was succeeded by his only son,

SIR WILLIAM ROGER CLOTWORTHY MOORE, 3rd Baronet (1927-2019), TD JP DL, of Moore Lodge, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1964, Major, North Irish Horse, 1950-63, who married, in 1954, Gillian (d 2016), daughter of John Brown, of County Antrim, and had issue,

RICHARD WILLIAM, his successor ;
Belinda Jane Eve, b 1956.

Sir William was succeeded by his only son,

SIR RICHARD WILLIAM MOORE, 4th Baronet (1955-), of Huxham House, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, who wedded, in 1985, Karen Furness, and has issue,

Charlotte; Sophie; Fenella.

MOORE LODGE, near Ballymoney, County Antrim, is a beautifully positioned house, set high above the River Bann, surrounded by trees and lawns in a small, good quality parkland.

In 1876, the Moores owned 1,470 acres of land in County Antrim.

It was described in 1814 as ‘certainly one of the prettiest and most retired spots in this county’.

The original 17th century house was apparently burnt in 1729 and replaced post 1759 by the present Georgian building, which was improved in the 1840s and had an extension added in 1901.

There was a notable garden in the early part of the 20th century, which is now only remembered by an unpublished account written in 1951, The Gardens of Moore Lodge 1902-1939.

The pigeon house or dovecote in the grounds dates from before 1832.

Moore Lodge remained continuously with the Moore family since the early 18th century.

It was for sale in 2021.

First published in June, 2010.  Moore arms courtesy of the NLI.