1st Earl Castle Stewart

THE EARLS CASTLE STEWART WERE THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY TYRONE, WITH 32,615 ACRES

This is a branch of the royal house of STUART, springing from ROBERT, DUKE OF ALBANY, third son of ROBERT II, King of Scots.

This cadet (whose elder brother was Andrew, first and last Lord Avandale), was

WALTER STEWART, of Morphie, Aberdeenshire, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Arnot, of Arnot, Fife, and by her had issue, a son,

ALEXANDER STEWART, of Avandale, who had a charter of the lands and barony of Avandale on the resignation of his uncle, Lord Avandale (born 1485-6).

He was one of the lords auditors, 1488, but died before June, 1489, when he was succeeded by his son (by some said to be his brother),

ANDREW STEWART, 1st Lord Avondale, who wedded Margaret, sister of David, 1st Earl of Cassillis, and had issue,

ANDREW, his successor;
Henry, 1st Lord Methven;
James;
Alexander;
William;
Barbara; Agnes; Anne.

His lordship fell at the battle of Flodden, 1513, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

ANDREW (c1505-49) succeeding his uncle as 2nd Lord Avondale, who exchanged the title for that of OCHILTREE.

He married Margaret, natural daughter of James, 1st Earl of Arran, and had issue,

ANDREW, his successor;
Walter;
Isobel.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ANDREW (c1521-91), 2nd Lord Ochiltree, who married Agnes Cunningham, and had a son and heir, Andrew Stewart, styled Master of Ochiltree, who predeceased him in 1578, and was succeeded by his grandson,

ANDREW, 3rd Lord Ochiltree (c1560-1629), who, having thus divested himself of that title, was created a peer, in 1619, by the title of Baron Castle Stewart.

His lordship wedded, ca 1587, Margaret, daughter of Sir John Kennedy, of Blairquhan, and had issue,

ANDREW, his successor;
JOHN, 5th Baron;
Robert, ancestor of the EARL CASTLE STEWART;
Margaret, m George Crawford, of Crawfordsburn;
Maria, m John Kennedy, of Cultra;
Anna.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

ANDREW, 2nd Baron, who espoused, ca 1604, the Lady Anne Stewart, fifth daughter and co-heiress of John, 5th Earl of Atholl, by which lady he had issue,

ANDREW, 3rd Baron;
JOSIAS, 4th Baron.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ANDREW, 3rd Baron (-1650), who married Joyce, daughter and heiress of Sir Arthur Blundell, by whom he had issue, an only child, MARY, who wedded Henry 5th Earl of Suffolk.

His lordship died without male issue, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

JOSIAS, 4th Baron (c1637-62), who espoused Anne, daughter of John Madden, of Enfield, Middlesex, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Charles Waterhouse, of Manor Waterhouse, County Fermanagh.

This marriage was without issue, and the family honours reverted to his lordship's uncle,

JOHN, 5th Baron, after whose decease without issue, the title remained in abeyance until 1774, when it was claimed by, and allowed to,

CAPTAIN ROBERT STEWART, de jure 6th Baron, who married Anne, daughter of William Moore, of Garvey, County Tyrone.

He died ca 1685, and was succeeded by his son,

ANDREW, de jure 7th Baron (1672-1715), who wedded Eleanor, daughter of Robert Dallway, of Bellahill, County Antrim, and had issue,

ROBERT, de jure 8th Baron (1700-42), who wedded, in 1722, Margaret, sister and co-heiress of Hugh Edwards, of Castle Gore, County Tyrone, and had issue,

ANDREW THOMAS, 9th Baron (1725-1809), who was created, in 1793, Viscount Castle Stewart, and advanced to an earldom, in 1800, as EARL CASTLE STEWART.

His lordship wedded, in 1781, Sarah, daughter of the Rt Hon Godfrey Lill, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Ireland, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Andrew;
Caroline; Sarah.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT, 2nd Earl (1784-1854), who espoused, in 1806, Jemima, only daughter of Colonel Robinson, and had issue,

EDWARD, 3rd Earl;
CHARLES ANDREW KNOX, 4th Earl;
Andrew Godfrey, in holy orders, father of 6th Earl.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDWARD, 3rd Earl (1807-57), who married, in 1830, Emmeline, only surviving daughter and heir of Benjamin Bathurst, though the marriage was without issue.

His lordship was succeeded by his brother,

CHARLES ANDREW KNOX, 4th Earl (1810-74), who wedded, in 1835, Charlotte Raffles Drury, only daughter of Acheson Quintin Thompson, of County Louth, and had issue,

HENRY JAMES, his heir;
Mary; Ella Sophia; Alice Maude; Margaretta.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

HENRY JAMES, 5th Earl (1837-1914), High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1870, who espoused, in 1866, Augusta Le Vicomte, daughter of Major William Stewart Richardson-Brady, and had issue, two daughters,

Mary; Muriel Albany.

His lordship died without male issue, and the titles reverted to his cousin,

ANDREW JOHN, as 6th Earl (1841-1921), who married, in 1876, Emma Georgiana Diana, daughter of Major-General Arthur Stevens, and had issue,

Andrew John, Viscount Stuart (1880-1915), killed in action;
Robert Sheffield (1886-1914), killed in action;
ARTHUR, of whom presently;
Charles Patrick;
Katherine Frances.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

ARTHUR, 7th Earl (1889-1961), MC, Major, Machine Gun Corps, MP for Harborough, 1929-33, who wedded, in 1920, Eleanor May, daughter of Solomon Robert Guggenheim, and had issue,

David Andrew Noel, Viscount Stuart (1921-42), killed in action;
Robert John Ochiltree, Viscount Stuart (1923-44), died of wounds in action;
ARTHUR PATRICK AVONDALE, of whom hereafter;
Simon Walter Erskine.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

ARTHUR PATRICK AVONDALE, 8th Earl (1928-2023), of Stuart Hall, near Stewartstown, County Tyrone, who married firstly, in 1952, Edna, daughter of William Edward Fowler, of Harborne, Birmingham, and had issue,

ANDREW RICHARD CHARLES, his successor;

Bridget Ann.

He wedded secondly, in 2004, Gillian Savill.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

ANDREW RICHARD CHARLES, 9th Earl, born in 1953.

The heir presumptive is the present Earl's paternal cousin, Thomas Harry Erskine Stuart (b 1974).

Former residence ~ Old Lodge, Nutley, East Sussex.

First published in December, 2015.

Tullylagan Manor

THE GREERS OWNED 1,192 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TYRONE

SIR JAMES GRIER (c1604-66), Knight, of Capenoch, Dumfriesshire, and Rock Hall, Alnwick, Northumberland, fifth son of Sir William Grier, succeeded his brother, John, in Capenoch.

Sir James married Mary, daughter of the Rev John Browne, of Glencairn, first minister after the Reformation, and widow of Thomas Grier, of Bargarg Tower, Dumfriesshire.

His eldest son, 

HENRY GRIER (c1625-c1675), of Rock Hall, and afterwards of Redford, near Grange, County Tyrone, came to Ulster in 1653.

He married, in 1652, Mary Turner, of Northumberland, and had issue,

JAMES;
Robert;
Thomas.

Mr Grier, who joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) ca 1660, was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES GREER (1653-1718), of Liscorran, County Armagh, who wedded, in 1678, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of John Rea, of Liscorran, and had issue,

Henry, ancestor of the GREERS of Grange, Co Tyrone;
JOHN, ancestor of the GREERS of Tullylagan and Seapark, of whom we treat;
Thomas;
James, of Liscorran;
Mary.

The second son,

JOHN GREER (1688-1741), of Grace Hill, County Armagh, and Tullyanaghan, near Lurgan, espoused, in 1717, Mary, daughter of Jeramiah Hanks, of Birr, and widow of John Chambers, of Dublin, and had several children, of whom the second son,

THOMAS GREER (1724-1803), of Rhone Hill, Dungannon, County Tyrone, became, on the extinction of the male line of his elder brother John, the head of the second house of Ulster Greers.

He married, in 1746, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Greer, of Redford, his second cousin, and died at Rhone Hill, leaving issue,

THOMAS, his heir;
Robert (1766-1808), died unmarried in USA;
Eleanor; Mary; Jane; Sarah; Ann.

The elder son,

THOMAS GREER (1761-1870), of Rhone Hill, wedded, in 1787, Elizabeth, only child of William Jackson, and had issue,

Thomas, of Tullylagan;
William Jackson, of Rhone Hill, father of THOMAS FERGUS;
John Robert;
Alfred, of Dripsey House, Co Cork;
Sarah; Mary Jackson; Elizabeth; Caroline; Louisa Jane; Priscilla Sophia.

The eldest son,

THOMAS GREER JP (1791-1870), of Tullylagan, married, in 1826, Wilhelmina, daughter of Arthur Ussher JP, of Camphire, County Waterford, and had issue,

FREDERICK, his heir;
Usher;
Martha Usher; Elizabeth Jackson; Wilhelmina Sophia Priscilla.

The eldest son,

FREDERICK GREER JP (1829-1908), of Tullylagan, late Royal Navy, wedded, in 1874,  Cecilia, eldest daughter of SIR NATHANIEL ALEXANDER STAPLES Bt, of Lissan, County Tyrone, by Elizabeth Lindsay his wife, only child of James Head and Cecilia his wife, third daughter of the Hon Robert Lindsay, of Balcarres, and had issue,

THOMAS, of Tullylagan;
Nathaniel Alexander Staples;
Elizabeth Lindsay; Mary Ussher.

The eldest son,

THOMAS GREER JP (1875-1949), of Tullylagan, espoused, in 1907, Constance Clara Annie, daughter of Edward Cochrane Palmer, of Beckfield House, Queen's County, and had issue,

FREDERICK WILLIAM USHER GREER, of Tullylagan, born in 1915, who died unmarried.

TULLYLAGAN MANOR, (formerly New Hamburgh), near Cookstown, County Tyrone, was built ca 1830.

It consists of two storeys over a basement, which was subsequently excavated to become a ground floor.

The house has a three-bay front; a two-bay projecting porch; an eaved roof on bracket cornice.

There is a side wing, originally one storey over a basement.

Frederick Greer inherited Tullylagan following the decease of his father, Thomas, in 1870, though he leased the estate to his cousin, Thomas MacGregor Greer ca 1898.

Thomas MacGregor Greer, the only son of THOMAS GREER, MP for Carrickfergus, was responsible for much of the development of the estate thereafter.

Mr Greer was a talented man who had many diverse interests.

Thomas MacGregor Greer of Seapark near Belfast came, after his marriage to Dorinda Florence Lowry in 1892, to Tullylagan Manor, near Cookstown, which he leased from Thomas Usher Greer. He had two daughters. 

Sylvia married Major Alexander (Pomeroy); Betty married Colonel Percival, Commander at Singapore during the 2nd World War. 

The Greers returned to Seapark after the 1st World War, where Mrs Greer died in February 1930. 

In 1931, Thomas married Miss Leonie Caroline Handcock (Dublin) returning to Tullylagan. Thomas owned one of the first motor cars in this part of Tyrone. He sponsored the work of Harry Ferguson (of Ford Ferguson fame) who often stayed at Tullylagan. 

The ancient church of Desertcreat in the 1930s was beautified by an Oak Reredos, Pulpit, communion table and rails, all of which had been carved by Thomas, also two oak Jacobean chairs and a silver salver. 

Later he donated a reading desk and a lectern made from Austrian Oak. He was Church Warden for 25 years, Parochial nominator, a member of the Diocesan and General Synod, Hon. Treasurer and Secretary and read the lessons throughout the year. 

He had a keen interest in Tullylagan prize pipe band, presenting them with kilts in MacGregor tartan. 

In 1941 the parish of Desertcreat and people of the district were greatly saddened by the death of its most generous benefactor and paid tribute to the great interest that he had taken in the welfare of Church and district during his lifetime.

Mr Greer considered the Manor House inadequately proportioned for a country residence, so rather than risk spoiling the architecture by adding to the house, he decided to excavate the basement.

This was a substantial task at the time, depending heavily on manual labour, with the soil removed from the basement, the house became three-storey.

In the farmyard he installed carpentry facilities and here many fine examples of chairs, tables and other items were produced.

Thomas MacGregor Greer remained in Tullylagan until his death in 1941.

The house is now privately owned.

Other former residence ~ Curglasson, Stewartstown, County Tyrone.

First published in January, 2012.

Newtownards Priory

NEWTOWNARDS PRIORY was a medieval Dominican priory founded by the Savage family around 1244 in Newtownards, County Down.

Only the lower parts of the nave and two blocked doors in the south wall (leading to a demolished cloister) survive from the period of the priory's foundation.

The upper parts of the nave date from a 14th-century rebuilding.

The western extension and the north aisle arcade were undertaken by the de Burgh family.

The priory was dissolved in 1541, and was sacked and burned.

It was granted to HUGH MONTGOMERY, who built a house within the ruins, rebuilding the north aisle and adding a tower at the entrance.

The Priory was subsequently consecrated for use as a parish church.

The STEWART family vault lies within the Priory, as does the large tomb of Frederick William Robert, 4th Marquess of Londonderry, KP.

The Colville vault also exists within the ruins.

The Colvilles, about whom I have written, were landlords of Newtownards from 1675 until 1744.

The Colville family traces its origins to Scotland in the 1100s, when Philip de Colville settled there following the Norman Conquest.

The first member of the family to settle in Ulster was  Dr Alexander Colville. He had been a professor of divinity at St Andrews University before coming to the Province in 1630.

Dr Colville may have been invited to Ulster by Bishop Robert Echlin, whose mother was Grissel Colville. He was appointed rector of Skerry in 1634 and built Galgorm Castle near Ballymena.

His son, Sir Robert, joined the army and in 1651 was a Captain. He married four times. He was knighted at some period between 1675 and 1679, and bought the Montgomery estates at Newtownards and Comber.

Sir Robert  rebuilt the ruined Montgomery home, Newtown House, which had been accidentally burned down in 1664. He also built a private chapel at Movilla cemetery.

A relative, Alexander Colville, was brought from Scotland to become Minister at the Presbyterian Church in Newtownards in 1696.

Sir Robert Colville died in 1697, with a memorial at the Priory in Newtownards. His third wife, Rose, died in 1693 and was buried at the Priory.

Their son Hugh died in 1701 aged 25, with a similar memorial.

By 1744, the memorial inscriptions had been removed from the family tomb, described as “...A large Tomb of the Colville Family (to a descendant of which the town now belongs), stands in the North Isle, raised five or six feet above the Floor, but naked of any inscription...”

Hugh Colville's daughter, Alicia Colville (1700-62), sold the estates to Alexander Stewart in 1744 for £42,000.

First published in September, 2013. 

Ocean Buildings

Ocean Buildings (Timothy Ferres, 2024). Click to enlarge.

Ocean Buildings, once known as Pearl Assurance House, is located at numbers 1-3, Donegall Square East, Belfast, on a corner site adjoining Chichester Street.

There were originally three terraced houses here, one of which operated as the Prince George Hotel.

The Ocean Buildings were completed in 1902 at a cost of approximately £27,000, about £2.7 million in today's money.

Marcus Patton, OBE, writing in 1993, described the building as “…splendid asymmetrical … building in red Ballochmoyle sandstone.” 

Ocean Buildings in 1910 (Hogg Collection/NMNI)

The building was designed by Robert Young in Scottish-Baronial Gothic style.

The principal entrance, at the corner, is corbelled out over a miniature rib-vaulted soffit, with three carved heads of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra fronting the principal brackets.

Queen Victoria's nose appears to be in need of some attention (!).

The Ocean Buildings were restored in 2025.

King's Castle

THE RUSSELLS OWNED 417 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

The family of RUSSELL was seated very early in Ireland, in the counties of Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford; and also in counties Dublin, Kildare, Louth, and Meath. The Russells of Killough, County Down, said to be living at Kingston Russell in Dorset, came to Ulster with John De Courcy. It appears by the records that in all these places they held their lands by noble tenure, and occupied the highest rank in society. 

The Ulster branch of the family always bore arms similar to those of the noble house of Bedford; and although the precise connection cannot now be ascertained, there can be no doubt of their having a common origin with that family.

Thomas Russell, feudal baron of Killough, 1316, is supposed to have been fifth in descent from the companion of De Courcy.

GEORGE RUSSELL, of Ballystrew, County Down, wedded, in 1749, Elizabeth Norris, and had issue,

CHARLES RUSSELL (1759-1828), of Killough, County Down, a merchant at Quay Lane, Killough, who married firstly, in 1784, Rose McCoy, and had numerous issue, of whom

ARTHUR, his heir.

He wedded secondly, in 1799, Anne, daughter of Thomas McEvoy, of Drogheda, and had issue.

Mr Russell was succeeded by his son and heir,

ARTHUR RUSSELL (1785-1845), of Seafield House, Killowen, County Down, and of Newry, who espoused, in 1825, Margaret, widow of John Hamill, of Belfast.

His elder son,

Baron Russell of Killowen (Government Art Collection)

THE RT HON CHARLES ARTHUR, BARON RUSSELL OF KILLOWEN (1832-1900), GCMG KB PC QC DL, MP for Dundalk, 1880-85, and for Hackney, 1885-95, who married, in 1858, Ellen, daughter of Dr Joseph Stevenson Mulholland, of Belfast, and had issue,

Arthur Joseph (1859-64);
Charles (Sir), 1st Baronet, designated of Littleworth Corner;
Cyril;
Francis Xavier Joseph, cr. Baron Russell of Killowen;
Bertrand Joseph;
Lilian Frances; Eileen Mary; Mary Gertrude; Lilian; Margaret.

KING'S CASTLE, Ardglass, County Down, is an imposing, early 19th century castellated house, built on a commanding situation in the middle of Ardglass.

The house was possibly erected on the site of an earlier building, though this is today indiscernible.

King's Castle must have been abandoned shortly thereafter, because it was occupied as "a temporary barrack".

By 1845, it was "much dilapidated, and rapidly loosening towards extinction".

The house itself is square and uses black stone in its composition.

One corner has a square tower; while another is octagonal.

The Castle was for sale in 1973, with offers invited in the region of £65,000 (about £750,000 in today's money).

It was then owned by Mr and Mrs Louis Gilmore bought the Castle about 1967, and it has been their intention to convert it into a hotel.

Mr Gilmore, a retired building and civil engineering contractor, had plans drawn up and given planning approval, bit his failing health has prompted him to give up development of the property.

The castle stands in more than six acres of elevated grounds on the highest part of Ardglass and looks across the harbour and out to sea.

During the 19th century it was the home of the Russell family.

The Russells had substantial property in the Ardglass and Killough area and one of them, Charles William Russell (1812-80), became president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth; whose nephew Charles, 1st Baron Russell of Killowen, became Lord Chief Justice of England.

It is believed that the Russells sold King's Castle prior to the First World War.

Since then it has functioned as a hotel, a residence, and a monastery.

The castle contains three reception rooms, ten bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Today the castle operates as a private nursing home.

*****

Charles Russell (1838-91), of King’s Castle, Ardglass, married, in 1876, Frances de Palatiano.

Their third son, Henry Russell, added his maternal grandfather’s surname to become Henry Hartley Russell in the 1920s.

First published in February, 2018. Russell arms courtesy of the NLI.

The Brooke Baronets (1822)

SIR BASIL BROOKE (1567-1633) was one of the Captains of the English Army selected to take reinforcements to Ireland in 1598. He served in Munster and under Lord Docwra in the conquest of Ulster; was a servitor in the Plantation and one of the Commissioners for the settlement of the Irish Church.

He was Governor of Donegal County and therein received large grants of land, including the Borough and Castle of Donegal, both of which he rebuilt, and in the banqueting hall of the latter are still to be seen the arms of the Brookes of Leighton impaling Leycester of Toft, Cheshire.

He was knighted in 1616; died 1633, and was interred in St Werburgh's, Dublin.

Sir Basil married Anne, daughter of Laurence Leycester, of Chester, and granddaughter of Sir Ralph Leycester (c1518-72), of Toft, Cheshire, by whom he had issue,

HENRY, his heir;

Anne; Elizabeth.

His only son,

SIR HENRY BROOKE (c1613-71), Knight, of Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Governor of Donegal, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1669, MP for Donegal, 1661-6, received, in recompense for his services during the rebellion of 1641, grants of lands in County Fermanagh.

Sir Henry married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Wynter; and secondly, Anne, daughter of Sir George St George Bt, of Carrickdrumrusk, County Leitrim.

For his third wife, Mr Brooke espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Henry, Lord Docwra.

He died in 1671, and was succeeded by the eldest son (by his second wife),

THOMAS BROOKE, of Donegal, Major, Williamite Regiment of Foot, MP for Antrim Borough, 1695-6, who wedded Catherine, daughter of Sir John Cole Bt, of Newlands, County Dublin, and sister of Cole, Lord Ranelagh.

Captain Brooke died in 1696, leaving a son,

HENRY BROOKE (1671-1761), of Colebrooke, MP for Dundalk, 1713-27, County Fermanagh, 1727-60, Governor of County Fermanagh, who married, in 1711, Lettice, daughter of Mr Alderman Benjamin Burton, of the city of Dublin.

Mr Brooke left at his decease, in 1761, four daughters and two sons, of whom

ARTHUR BROOKE, MP for County Fermanagh, 1761-83, Maryborough, 1783-5, was created a baronet, 1764, which honour ceased at his demise in 1785; and

FRANCIS BROOKE, who wedded, in 1765, Hannah, daughter of Henry Prittie, of Dunalley, County Tipperary, and sister of the 1st Baron Dunalley, and had issue,

Arthur (Sir), KCB, lieutenant-general;
Richard Prittie, major-general;
Francis, lieutenant-colonel;
HENRY, of whom presently;
George Frederick;
Caroline; Harriet; Elizabeth.

Mr Brooke died in 1800, and was succeeded by his youngest surviving son,

HENRY BROOKE (1770-1834), of Colebrooke, County Fermanagh, who was created a baronet in 1822, designated of Colebrooke, County Fermanagh.

Sir Henry married, in 1792, Harriet, daughter of the Hon John Butler, and granddaughter of Brinsley, 1st Viscount Lanesborough, and had issue,

Francis, fell at Waterloo;
Henry, died young;
ARTHUR BRINSLEY;
Butler (Rev);
Edward Basil, major-general;
Richard, later HOWARD-BROOKE;
Thomas;
George Augustus Frederick;
Harriett Elizabeth; Maria; Selina.

He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR ARTHUR BRINSLEY BROOKE, 2nd Baronet (1797-1854), who wedded, in 1841, Julia Henrietta, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir George Anson, and had issue,

VICTOR ALEXANDER, his successor;
Harry Vesey (Sir);
Arthur Basil;
Constance Henrietta.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR VICTOR ALEXANDER BROOKE, 3rd Baronet (1843-91), who espoused, in 1864, Alice Sophia, daughter of Sir Alan Edward Bellingham Bt, and had issue,

ARTHUR DOUGLAS, his successor;
Ronald George;
Butler;
Victor Reginald;
Alan Francis (Field-Marshal), cr Viscount Alanbrooke;
Alice Mildred; Hylda Henrietta.

Sir Victor was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ARTHUR DOUGLAS BROOKE, 4th Baronet (1865-1907), JP, DL, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1896, who married, in 1887, Gertrude Isabella, daughter of Stanlake Batson, and had issue,

BASIL STANLAKE, his successor;
Victor Mervyn;
Arthur Francis;
Sylvia Henrietta; Sheelah.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR BASIL STANLAKE BROOKE, 5th Baronet (1888-1973), KG CBE MC, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1952, in the dignity of VISCOUNT BROOKEBOROUGH, of Colebrooke, County Fermanagh.

*****

The Brookes of Colebrooke remain one of the oldest landed families in Ulster.

The Brookeborough Papers are deposited at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

The Rt Hon Sir Basil, 5th Baronet, was the third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.

His second but eldest surviving son, John, 2nd Viscount, and 6th Baronet, was also a notable politician.

Alan, 3rd and present Viscount, and 7th Brooke Baronet, succeeded in 1987.

Lord Brookeborough, a Knight of the Garter, is Lord-Lieutenant of County Fermanagh.

First published in November, 2010.

Dunleckney Manor

THE NEWTONS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CARLOW, WITH 5,134 ACRES

This family, originally from Lancashire or Cheshire, accompanied WILLIAM III to Ireland in 1688.

The first settler was Bartholomew Newtown, whose son,

JOHN NEWTOWN, wedded, in 1730, Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Lodge, of County Kilkenny and the city of Dublin, and founded the family residence at Bennekerry, a short distance from the town of Carlow, which, though still in the family's possession, was not then the family seat.

He died in 1748, leaving an eldest son,

BARTHOLOMEW NEWTOWN (d 1780), of Busherstown, County Carlow, who married, in 1767, Anne, daughter of Philip Bernard (by whom he acquired considerable property in the town of Carlow), and had issue (with a daughter, Catherine) two sons,

JOHN, Colonel, Carlow Militia, High Sheriff of Co Carlow, 1797; d unm;
PHILIP, of whom we treat.

The second son, 

PHILIP NEWTON (1770-1833), married, in 1785, Sarah, daughter of Beauchamp Bagenal, of Dunleckney, and had issue,

WALTER, his heir;

John;

Henry;

Philip;

Beauchamp Bartholomew. 

Sir Nicholas Bagenal came to Ulster as Marshal of ELIZABETH I's army, settled in County Carlow and founded Bagenalstown.

The family's first house at Dunleckney was built ca 1610, but a new house was built for Walter Newton, who inherited the estate from his mother, the Bagenal heiress, about 1850.

Mr Newton was succeeded by his son,

WALTER NEWTON (1790-1853), of Dunleckney, County Carlow, High Sheriff of County Carlow, 1827, who married, in 1817, Anne, fifth daughter of the Hon George Jocelyn (second son of Robert, 1st Earl of Roden), and had issue,

PHILIP JOCELYN, his heir;
Thomasina Jocelyn.

Mr Newton was succeeded by his only son,

PHILIP JOCELYN NEWTON JP DL (1818-95), of Dunleckney Manor, High Sheriff of County Carlow, 1846, who married, in 1841, Henrietta Maria, daughter of John Kennedy, of Dunbrody, County Wexford, and Cultra, County Down, and had issue,

Maria Charlotte;
ANNE HENRIETTA, of whom hereafter;
Adeline Sarah.

Mr Newton died without male issue, and was succeeded by his second daughter,

ANNE HENRIETTA, MRS W M VESEY (d 1927), of Dunleckney Manor, whose elder son,

SYDNEY PHILIP CHARLES VESEY CBE JP (1873-1932), Captain, King's Royal Rifle Corps, married, in 1902, Edith Blanch Power.

Dunleckney was sold in 1942.

It was subsequently owned by Mr Thomas Donnelly, who re-sold in 1958.

DUNLECKNEY MANOR, Bagenalstown, County Carlow, is a 19th century Tudor-Gothic house by Daniel Robertson of Kilkenny.

An early Irish example of the Tudor-Gothic style, the manor house, built about 1850, incorporates parts of an earlier house.

Robertson was a talented architect with a large country house practise, who worked comfortably in a variety of styles, from Classical to Gothic. His major buildings are at All Souls, Oxford, Johnstown Castle and Castle Boro, both in County Wexford.

Robinson's work at Dunleckney is certainly of a very high order.

The smooth ashlar surfaces make a superb foil to the crisp, delicately carved tracery details of the tower, door-case and oriel windows.

The interior has fine plaster fan vaulting in the late Perpendicular-Gothic style, and an elaborate wooden staircase which incorporates number of medieval wooden carvings ‘rescued’ from St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny.

Helen and Derek Sheane purchased the house in 1989, and have spent the ensuing years in restoration.

They have carried out considerable works to the garden and parkland though the superb, straight, 18th century lime avenue was a casualty of long neglect.

First published in November, 2012.