New Co Down DLs

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS

Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mrs Fiona Caroline Gail Chamberlain CB

Comber

 

Mr Simon John Best

Poyntzpass

Mrs Tracy Helen Pringle Hamilton MBE

Ringdufferin

Toye 

To be Deputy Lieutenants of the County, Commissions bearing date the 7th day of October 2026

Signed

Gawn Rowan Hamilton

Lord Lieutenant of the County

Discover Northern Ireland

I cannot recall how long I've had a copy of this guide-book.

For me it encapsulates the very essence of Northern Ireland and the best places to visit.

Discover Northern Ireland was first published in 1976 by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

It was revised in 1977. A third edition was published in 1981. Has it been re-issued since then?

It most certainly ought to be.

Click Image to Enlarge

The book was written by Ernest Sandford.

The media has described it thus:

'A wonderful guidebook, an eminently readable guidebook ... it should be considered as a school textbook for local information ... in its detail and general comprehensiveness it is unique.'

This, to my mind, remains the definitive guide to Northern Ireland.

First published in March, 2010.

Hezlett House

Hezlett House (Image: Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

The first of the Hezlett family to reside at Liffock,

ISAAC HEZLETT (1720-90), married firstly, Margaret Kerr, and had issue, a son,

SAMUEL.

He wedded secondly, Esther _______, and had further issue,

JOHN (Jack), emigrated to America.

The elder son,

SAMUEL HEZLETT (1753-1821), of Liffock, espoused Esther Steel, and had issue, eight children, of whom the eldest son,

ISAAC HEZLETT (1796-1883), married, in 1823, Jane Swan, of Bannbrook House, and was father of

HUGH HEZLETT (1825-1906), father of

HUGH HEZLETT (1872-1946), who wedded, in 1910, Margaret Ann Mark, by whom he had issue, three children, of whom

HUGH HEZLETT JP (1911-88), married, in 1945, Molly Douglas.

Their adopted son, Hugh Douglas Hezlett, born in 1960, lives in the Isle of Man.

HEZLETT HOUSE, near Castlerock, County Londonderry, is a single-storey thatched cottage dating from ca 1691.

The cottage served as the rectory for the Archdeacon of Derry, the Ven Roger fford, from 1693 to 1719; and for four of his successors until 1761.

The walls are built of un-coursed rubble with roughcast and a core of earth and sand.

This historic farmhouse is noted for its cruck construction, a method seldom used in the Province during that period.

Some sections of the cottage are left bare to expose the cruck trusses and other structural details.

Isaac Hezlett (1720-1790) was the first Hezlett to live in the cottage at Liffock.

His ancestors came to Liffock from the townland of Grange, which was part of the church lands on the west bank of the river Bann near its estuary.

Isaac acquired the cottage and some land in 1766.

At this point in his life he was married to his second wife Esther and had two sons; Samuel from his first marriage with Margaret Kerr and Jack, half-brother to Samuel.

When Samuel’s father died, he inherited the farm at the age of 37, and about five years later he married Esther Steel. She was 22 years his junior and they had eight children.

Samuel was intimidated by local insurgents to join the United Irishmen; his half-brother Jack was an ardent supporter.

He was threatened to be hanged from the Spanish chestnut tree in his own garden.

By 1798 the Irish rebellion was at its height and the two brothers were on opposite sides of the war. 

30,000 lives were lost when the rebels were finally defeated.

Jack escaped to the recently created United States of America while Samuel remained with his family in their home at Liffock until he died in 1821.

Samuel's eldest son, Isaac (1796-1883), married Jane Swan (1805-1896) in 1823.

He built a two-storey extension to form a new self-contained unit for his mother and sisters.

This extension could be regarded as forerunner of what we call today a "granny-flat."

Isaac also increased the acreage farmed at Liffock.

Jane was an educated and capable woman and by marrying her, Isaac ensured that his offspring would be well nurtured and given encouragement to develop their abilities.

At least two of their sons were sent for a formal education to Templemoyle Seminary; an agricultural school.

A third son attended Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst); and another one became a bank official.

Hugh Hezlett (1825-1906), Samuel and Jane’s eldest son, increased the acreage of the farm once more.

By putting his education to good use he made the farm more productive; more cash crops were grown and the herds of dairy cattle and sheep were increased.

The outputs from the farm which generated income included the cash crops of flax, barley, potatoes, oats and turnips, in addition to wool, milk, calves, pigs and eggs.

Hugh also oversaw an extensive re-modelling of the farmyard and outbuildings.

The Land Act paved the way for further acts which enabled tenant farmers to buy the land they had hitherto rented; so, by the early 20th century, the Hezletts were not tenant farmers but owner-occupiers.

The second Hugh Hezlett (1872-1946) inherited the farm in 1906 when his father (the first Hugh) died.

He managed the farm and dairy, while his brother Thomas performed much practical labour and ran a daily milk round in Castlerock.

He married Margaret Ann Mark in 1910 and they had three children.

As he got older Hugh spent much of his time and energy devoted to public life.

The third Hugh Hezlett (1911-1988) married Molly Douglas in 1945.

They adopted a child (Hugh Douglas, born in 1960), who moved to the Isle of Man.

In 1976, with funds provided by Ulster Land Fund and the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, the National Trust acquired the house from Hugh Hezlett.

Following a fire in 1987 further restoration was required, and although as much of the remaining structure was re-used, some replication was required.

The building was re-thatched in 2000.

First published in October, 2022.

The Slieve Donard Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Slieve Donard Lands, near Newcastle, County Down

DATE: 1990

EXTENT: 1284.76 acres

DONOR: Mr Gerald Annesley

First published in January, 2015.

The O’Neill Baronetcy (1666)

At Killelagh, County Antrim, close to Lough Neagh, there are said to be remains of a castellated building, formerly the seat of a branch of the powerful family of O'Neill. Little is known of its scanty remains, though apparently a part of the walls of its courts and gardens still stand.

Ulster remained firmly in the control of the Clanaboy O'Neills until 1608. The family fought on both sides of the civil wars that racked Ireland from 1642-93. The end result was a significant loss of territory and influence due to political alliances and an influx of new families flowing in from Scotland and England.

SIR HENRY O'NEILL (c1625-80), of Edenduffcarrick (Shane's Castle), son of HUGH McPHELIM BACCACH O'NEILL, married, ca 1655, Eleanor, daughter of Sir William Talbot Bt, and had issue,

NEIL, his heir;
DANIEL, succeeded his brother;
Rose.

During the trouble of 1641, Sir Henry's estate was forfeited.

It was, however, restored in 1665, and he conformed to the Established Church.

He was created a baronet in 1666, designated of Killelagh, County Antrim.

Sir Henry's son and heir,

SIR NEIL O'NEILL, 2nd Baronet (c1658-90), of Shane's Castle, wedded, in 1677, Frances, daughter of Caryll, 3rd Viscount Molyneux, and had issue, four or five daughters.

Sir Neil boyhood was spent on the shores of Lough Neagh, in and around the townland of Ballyginniff, where an old ruin, beside the Milltown, still marks the spot of his ancestral castle.

In 1678, he inherited the family honours and estates.

In 1688, Sir Neil was in Dublin "concerting measures" with his uncle Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell; and, in the same year, he was appointed a burgess of Belfast.

In 1689, he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim; about which time he raised a regiment of dragoons, numbered the 11th, in the service of JAMES II.

He served with his regiment at the siege of Londonderry.

At the battle of the Boyne, Sir Neil, at the head of his regiment, defended "with great gallantry" the passage over that river at Slane.

On this occasion, Sir Neil was severely wounded in the thigh and he died soon afterwards at Waterford, having followed the king to that city.

He was interred at the Franciscan Priory in Waterford, having died in July, 1690, aged 32.

Sir Neil O'Neill (Image: The Tate Gallery)

Sir Neil left his family unprovided for.

However, in 1703, his estates at Killelagh and Kilmakevit - including 19 townlands - were sold at Chichester House in Dublin.

He left no male heir but was succeeded in the title by his only brother,

SIR DANIEL O'NEILL, 3rd Baronet, who wedded, ca 1690, Mary, daughter of Sir Gregory Byrne Bt, and had issue, an only child, Eleanor, who married Hugh O'Reilly.

The title and estates were forfeited by a posthumous act of attainder in 1691.

On petitioning the government, Sir Neil's widow was granted a 41-year lease on the Killelagh estate in 1700, which she sold the following year.

Lady O'Neill died in 1732.

First published in March, 2011.

Mount Wolseley

THE WOLSELEY BARONETS OWNED 2,547 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CARLOW

This ranks amongst the most ancient families of Staffordshire, one of its ancestors being Lord of Wolseley, in the 13th century; and another, one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the reign of EDWARD IV.

ROBERT WOLSELEY (1587-1646), Clerk of the King's Letters Patent (son of John Wolseley, of Stafford, by Isabella, daughter of John Porter, of Chillington, in the same county), was created a baronet, in 1628, designated of Wolseley, Staffordshire.

Sir Robert married, in 1630, Mary, second daughter of Sir George Wroughton, Knight, of Wilcot, Wiltshire, by whom he had issue, five sons and six daughters.

The youngest son, Colonel William Wolseley, commanded the Inniskilling Regiment at the battle of the Boyne, and was also at the battle of Newtownbutler.

He was subsequently appointed Master of the Ordnance, sworn of the Privy Council, and constituted one of the Lords Justices of Ireland.

Sir Robert died in 1646, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR CHARLES WOLSELEY, 2nd Baronet (c1630-1714), a distinguished senator during the reigns of CHARLES I and CHARLES II, having represented Staffordshire in Parliament, 1654-60, and taken an active part in public affairs.

He wedded Anne, youngest daughter of William, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele, and had issue,

Charles;
William, 3rd Baronet;
Henry, 4th Baronet;
RICHARD, of whom we treat;
Robert;
Elizabeth; Mary; Anne; Dorothy; Bridget; Penelope; Susan; Penelope; Frances; Constance.

The fourth son,

CAPTAIN RICHARD WOLSELEY (1655-1724), an officer in the army of WILLIAM III in Ireland, MP for Carlow Borough, 1703-13, 1715-24, married Frances Burneston, and had issue,

Richard, died 1733;
WILLIAM, who inherited the English baronetcy;
RICHARD, of whom we treat.

The youngest son,

RICHARD WOLSELEY (1696-1769), of Mount Arran, County Carlow (to whom his father left his Irish estates), MP for Carlow Borough, 1727-60, 1761-8, was created a baronet, in 1744, designated of Mount Wolseley, County Carlow.

Sir Richard married firstly, Anne Smith, and had issue,

William (Rev); grandfather of FREDERICK WOLSELEY (Wolseley Cars);
Clement, father of the 4th Baronet and grandfather of the 5th & 8th Baronets;
Katherine.

He wedded secondly, in 1727, Alice, fourth daughter of Sir Thomas Molyneux Bt, of Castle Dillon, County Armagh, and had further issue,

RICHARD, his successor.

Sir Richard was succeeded by his son,

SIR RICHARD WOLSELEY, 2nd Baronet (1729-81), who espoused, in 1765, Letitia, daughter of Anthony Marlay, of Celbridge, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Matilda.

Sir Richard was succeeded by his only son,

SIR WILLIAM WOLSELEY, 3rd Baronet (1775-1819), who died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon his cousin,

THE REV SIR RICHARD WOLSELEY, 4th Baronet (1760-1852), of Mount Wolseley, who married thrice, without issue, when the title devolved upon his cousin,

SIR CLEMENT WOLSELEY, 5th Baronet (1794-1857), High Sheriff of County Carlow, 1852, Major, Carlow Militia, who married, in 1833, Alice Elizabeth, daughter of Peter van Homrigh, and had issue,

JOHN RICHARD, his successor;
CLEMENT JAMES, 7th Baronet.

Sir Clement was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JOHN RICHARD WOLSELEY, 6th Baronet (1834-74), JP DL, High Sheriff of County Carlow, 1861, who wedded, in 1859, Frances Annabella, daughter of Captain Arthur Blennerhassett, and had issue, three daughters,

Ada Frances Alice; Amelia Cecilia Louisa; another daughter.

Sir John died without male issue, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR CLEMENT JAMES WOLSELEY, 7th Baronet (1837-89), JP DL, who wedded, in 1872, Constance Louisa, daughter of Lieutenant-General Robert Parker Radcliffe, though the marriage was without issue, when the baronetcy reverted to his cousin,

THE VERY REV SIR JOHN WOLSELEY, 8th Baronet (1803-90), of Mount Wolseley, Dean of Kildare, 1859-90, who espoused, in 1832, Anne, daughter of John Maunsell, though the marriage was without issue, when the title reverted to his kinsman,

SIR CAPEL CHARLES WOLSELEY, 9th Baronet (1870-1923), a descendant of the first Baronet, who married, in 1907, Beatrice Sophia, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel William Wallingford Knollys, though the marriage was without issue, when the baronetcy reverted to his kinsman,

SIR REGINALD BEATTY WOLSELEY, 10th Baronet (1872-1933), a descendant of the first Baronet, who wedded, in 1930, Marian Elizabeth, daughter of William Alfred Baker, though the marriage was without issue, when the title reverted to his kinsman,

THE REV SIR WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WOLSELEY, 11th Baronet (1865-1950), a descendant of the first Baronet, who espoused, in 1932, Sarah Helen, daughter of William Cotton Grummitt, though the marriage was without issue, when the baronetcy reverted to his kinsman,

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY, 12th Baronet (1915-91), a cobbler, descendant of the first Baronet.

This Baronetcy has been dormant since the death of the 12th Baronet in 1991. The senior male heir to the baronetcy may exist among the descendants (if any).

Mount Wolseley House (Image: Tripadvisor)

MOUNT WOLSELEY, near Tullow, County Carlow, is a two-storey, Victorian, vaguely Italianate house.

It has a distinctive bracket cornice, camber-headed windows, and a balustraded porch.

There has presumably been a Wolseley dwelling on this location since the designation of the first Baronet, in 1744, of Mount Wolseley.

Mount St Joseph's (Image: old postcard)

Sir John Richard Wolseley, 6th Baronet, was succeeded in the title by his brother, Sir Clement James Wolseley, may have been the last of the Wolseley Baronets to reside there.

Sir John's daughters subsequently sold Mount Wolseley to the Patrician Brothers in 1925, when it became a school.

Today Mount Wolseley House is the private home of the Morrisseys, though a hotel, spa, and golf resort has been built within the grounds.

First published in August, 2020.

The Rowallane Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Rowallane Demesne, near Saintfield, County Down

DATE: 1956

EXTENT: 199.34 acres

DONOR: Jane Moore and Kenneth Goodbody

First published in January, 2015.