The Crom Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Crom Estate, County Fermanagh

DATE: 1987

EXTENT: 1674.79 acres

DONOR: 6th Earl of Erne

*****

PROPERTY: The Old Schoolhouse

DATE: 2002

EXTENT: 2.58 acres

DONOR: Cormack

*****

PROPERTY: Holy Trinity Church, Crom Estate

DATE: 1995

EXTENT: 0.45 acres

DONOR: 6th Earl of Erne & Others

*****

PROPERTY: Erne Alms House, Crom Estate

DATE: 1997

EXTENT: 0.32 acres

DONOR: 6th Earl of Erne & Others 

First published in December, 2014.

Causeway Hotel: A Brief History

In November, 1836, Elizabeth Henry leased just over four acres of land in the townland of Ardihannon, County Antrim, from SIR FRANCIS WORKMAN-MACNAGHTEN, 1st Baronet.

The Macnaghten Baronets, of DUNDARAVE, Bushmills, County Antrim, were the major landowners in the area, owning 7,134 acres in 1876.

Miss Henry, formerly the proprietress of The Copeland Arms in Coleraine, proceeded building on the site.

By 1841, however, her financial circumstances were such, that she was unable to complete the construction of her hotel on the Macnaghtens' land at the Giant's Causeway.

When she died, the Macnaghten mortgage debt was still outstanding.

In 1844, the Hotel was let to William McNaul, who pledged

By diligence and attention to do all in my power to promote the comfort of my Guests, and they may depend on my always keeping a well stocked larder and being well supplied with the choicest Wines and Liquors.

Twenty years later, in 1863, a new lessee, William Coleman, ran the Hotel, the business at least servicing the interest on the debt for the Macnaghtens.

Mr Coleman was the proprietor of Coleman's Portrush Hotel.

The Causeway Hotel (Robert French/ Lawrence Collection/ NLI)

On acquiring the Causeway Hotel, he demonstrated his flair for the catering industry in his press advertisement:

W Coleman begs to inform his patrons that he has become Proprietor of the GIANT'S CAUSEWAY HOTEL, which he has completely refitted. 

The arrangements and rates are the same as those which have given so much satisfaction at his Portrush Establishment.

The GIANT'S CAUSEWAY HOTEL, being immediately above the Causeway itself, is admirably situated for Tourists having only a short time to spare, and also for those who wish to spend some time in the neighbourhood. 

The Hotel is commodious, and, in every respect, a First class Establishment.

Mr Coleman added,

Tourists are particularly requested not to engage either Guides or Boatmen till arrival at Giant's Causeway Hotel.

HOTEL CHARGES:-

Sitting-room per day ~ from 2 shillings (/) to 3/-
Bed-room ~ from 1/6 to 2/-
Sitting-room fire per day ~ 6d
Breakfast ~ from 1/6 to 2/-
Hot Lunch ~ 1/6
Cold Lunch ~ 1/3
Dinner ~ from 1/8 to 3/-
Visitors' Servants per day ~ 4/-

HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS:-

VISITORS taken at the under-mentioned charges:-
Board, including Bed-room ~ 35/- each per week
Sitting-room ~ from 12/- to 21/- each per week
Attendance ~ 5/-  each per week
Visitors' Servants ~ 21/- each per week

A Two-horse van leaves daily, from The Portrush Hotel for The Giant's Causeway, from 1st June to 1st October, at 9.40am, on arrival of first train from Belfast, returning at 2pm, in time for the afternoon trains. Fare:- Return, 2/-; Single, 1/6.

£2 (40/-) in 1860 was worth about £200 today.

By 1884, the Causeway Hotel and its strategic importance had, not surprisingly, come to the notice of the entrepreneurial Traills of BALLYLOUGH HOUSE.

Sir Francis Workman-Macnaghten, 3rd Baronet, had a meeting with William Atcheson Traill and his brother, Anthony, the result being that the Giant's Causeway Tramway took over the Causeway Hotel.

William Winter was employed to manage it.

This was a mutually beneficial arrangement: Sir Francis acquired a good tenant (with an option to purchase the hotel) to pay off the old debt; whereas the Traills' tramway company got vertical integration in their business.

Their passengers would be directed to their hotel to avail of the conveniences (!) etc.

Advertisements proclaimed that “the Causeway Hotel is now worked in connection with the Tramway."

In 1910, the Kane family purchased the Causeway Hotel; and in 1963 it was sold to Frank Fleming.

A more recent image of the hotel

The last private proprietors of the hotel were the Armstrong family, who sold it to The National Trust in 2001.

If there are any inaccuracies in this article, please let me know.

First published in May, 2014.

The George

The Clandeboye estate schoolhouse, County Down, was built by Lord Dufferin ca 1858.

William Burn submitted designs for the school in 1850, and a further design was commissioned from Benjamin Ferrey in 1854.

Neither plan was executed and the architect of the school as it was built remains uncertain.

In the mid 1970s Ballysallagh Primary School was converted to licensed premises (The George) and was largely extended in the process, with large function rooms added.

Click to Enlarge

The George at Clandeboye, County Down, was a hostelry I frequented often in my younger days.

I have found a little leaflet entitled The George.



Many Saturday nights were spent here during the seventies and eighties.

Incidentally, the George's postal address was Crawfordsburn Road, Clandeboye, County Down.

The lodge bedroom block was constructed in 1992-4 to designs by Alan Cook Architects.

It now forms a part of Clandeboye Lodge Hotel.

First published in June, 2011.

Stranmillis House

In 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester was granted expansive lands in Ulster, including all of the County Antrim side of the River Lagan from Carrickfergus to Dunmurry and the site of the future city of Belfast.

The date of the grant marks the date of the foundation of the town.

Sir Arthur leased his Stranmillis lands in 1606 for 61 years to his associate Sir Moyses Hill (ancestor of the Marquesses of Downshire), who built a plantation castle.

This castle was the predecessor of Stranmillis House and was probably built to control a Lagan crossing.

The ford as indicated on the Donegall estate map of 1770 was situated just below the tidal limit and provided a crossing point for carts.

The Hills moved before their lease expired, and the property reverted to the Donegall family (to become Lady Donegall's deer-park). 

Richard Dobbs, writing in 1683, described the deer-park thus:

"From Lambeg the way leads direct to Belfast, which is all along for the most part furnished with houses, little orchards and gardens and on the right hand the Countess of Donegall hath a very fine Park well stored with venison and in it a Horse Course of Two Miles, and may be called an English Road."

A Donegall family document of 1692 more precisely defines the deer park, ..."100 acres were then enclosed in a Deer Park, and called Stranmellis Park."

It is probable that this estate included all of the area now enclosed by the Stranmillis and Malone Roads and that the horse course followed its perimeter, possibly formed by the roads themselves.

On the Donegall estate map of 1770 the area is referred to as the course lands, almost exactly 100 acres enclosed by about two miles of road.

From 1770 most of the demesne was put up for lease after being divided into small parcels of land, the size and shape of the farms perhaps relating to the hilly topography of the area. 

An area of 40 acres in the southern part of the former deer-park was leased by prominent merchants, the Black family, who built a summer residence, the predecessor of the present Victorian Stranmillis House.

They later acquired the freehold and, in 1857, sold the property to Thomas Batt, a director of the Ulster Bank who, within a year, rebuilt Stranmillis House in the Gothic-Revival style. 

Batt had a town-house at 4 Donegall Place in Belfast.

He was from one of Belfast’s most prominent business families, founders of the Belfast bank and owners of Purdysburn House (later a hospital).

They also gave their name to Batt’s Mountain in the Mournes.

South Belfast, including Stranmillis, developed rapidly in the latter half of the 19th Century and especially during the 1870s.

However, building on the eastern slopes of the Malone Ridge was restricted by land ownership and hampered by stream erosion so that the Stranmillis Road itself remained little more than a country lane.

Cart traffic moving south took the Malone Road to avoid Stranmillis hill and it was not until 1882 that the city's tram line was extended to Stranmillis.

Some development of note did take place, however, with the construction in 1863 of the fine terrace at Mount Pleasant adjoining Summer Hill, itself built a few years earlier around 1854-56. 

The arrival of the tram line also saw the construction of the impressive Chilworth terrace in 1893-4 and the Kinahan Mansions followed around 1901.

The Victorian Stranmillis House was built for Thomas Batt by Lanyon, Lynn & Lanyon.

Originally it had an open belfry and ogee pyramidal roof on the corner tower, but these features were removed.

The original entrance porch and low wing to the north have been replaced by a large extension in simplified Elizabethan style in 1924 after the house became part of Stranmillis (University) College.

About 46 acres of undulating grounds are walled in.

The demesne originated in the early 17th century, though the present house dates from ca 1855.

It replaced an earlier house of ca 1801 and much of the present planting is associated with these two buildings.

The site became a college in 1922 and was subsequently adapted.

The well developed and attractively planted ornamental grounds enhance the many buildings that now occupy the site, many of which are listed - the main building of 1928-30; two gate lodges of 1933 and 1940s. 

There is some interesting plant material amongst the maintained landscape.

There are fine mature shelter belt and woodland trees, including an impressive turkey oak and a sycamore avenue now hidden in woodland.

First published in January, 2011.

Dunbrody Park

THE BARONS TEMPLEMORE WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY WEXFORD, WITH 11,327 ACRES

LORD SPENCER STANLEY CHICHESTER (1775-1819), of Dunbrody Park, County Wexford, MP for Carrickfergus, 1802-7, second surviving son of Arthur, 1st Marquess of Donegall, wedded, in 1795, the Lady Harriet Stewart, a younger daughter of John, 7th Earl of Galloway KT, and had issue,

ARTHUR, of whom hereafter;
George, d 1829;
Anne;
Elizabeth, m William, 1st Baron Bateman.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARTHUR CHICHESTER MP (1797-1837), of Dunbrody Park, and of 38 Portman Square, London, MP for Milborne Port, 1826-30, County Wexford, 1830-1.

Colonel Chichester was raised to the peerage, in 1831, in the dignity of BARON TEMPLEMORE, of Templemore, County Donegal.

He wedded, in 1820, the Lady Augusta Paget, fourth daughter of Henry, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, KG, and had issue,

HENRY SPENCER, his heir;
Augustus George Charles;
Frederick Arthur Henry;
Adolphus William;
Francis Algernon James;
another son, b 1833;
Caroline Georgiana; Augusta.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY SPENCER, 2nd Baron,

• Harry Spencer Chichester, 2nd Baron (1821–1906)
• Arthur Henry Chichester, 3rd Baron (1854–1924)
• Arthur Claud Spencer Chichester, 4th Baron (1880–1953)
• Dermot Richard Claud Chichester, 5th Baron (1916–2007) (succeeded as 7th Marquess of Donegall in 1975).

(ARTHUR) PATRICK, is the 8th and present Marquess of Donegall and 6th Baron Templemore.

Lord Donegall lives with his family within the grounds of Dunbrody Park.

DUNBRODY HOUSE, near Arthurstown, County Wexford, is described by Mark Bence-Jones as

a pleasant, comfortable, unassuming house of ca 1860 which from its appearance might be a 20th century house of vaguely Queen Anne flavour.

Dunbrody Park was acquired by the Chichester family through marriage of the 2nd Earl of Donegall to Jane, daughter and heiress of John Itchingham, of Dunbrody Park, ca 1660.

The Victorian mansion house comprises two storeys, with a five-bay centre.

The middle bay breaks forward.

There is a three-sided, single storey central bow, and two-bay projecting ends.

Dunbrody House has been a country house hotel since 2001.

Former town residence  ~ 11 Upper Grosvenor Street, London.

First published in November, 2012; revised in 2014. Templemore arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Duke's Coronet

The coronet of a duke is a golden circlet with eight gold strawberry leaves around it (pointing upwards).

The coronet itself is chased as if in the form of jewels (like a royal crown) but is not actually jewelled.

It has a crimson cap (lined ermine) in real life and a purple one in heraldic representation.

There is a gold-threaded tassel on top.

The number of strawberry leaves and absence of pearls is what distinguishes a ducal coronet from those of other degrees of the peerage.

The ducal coronet has undergone several modifications in form since it was first introduced in 1337.

As now worn, it has eight golden leaves of a conventional type - the "strawberry leaves" so called - set erect upon a circlet of gold, and having their stalks so connected as to form a wreath.

Of late years this coronet has enclosed a cap of rich crimson velvet surmounted by a golden tassel and lined and "guarded" with ermine.

 

A smaller version, above, was worn by duchesses.

Peeresses' coronets sit on top of the head, rather than around it.

Non-royal dukes represent the highest degree in the hereditary peerage.

First published in April, 2010.

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.