Belfast Yeomanry Painting

Review of the Belfast Yeomanry (Image: Belfast Harbour Commissioners). Click to enlarge.

In George Benn's History of the Town of Belfast he mentions a famous picture, depicting a great Review of the Military and Yeomanry of Belfast by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, on the 27th August, 1804.

Benn explains that all persons subscribing were to have their portraits introduced.

The painter, Thomas Romney Robinson (1756-1810), remarked that

"It will be curious to hand down to future generations the likenesses of the principal inhabitants of the present day assembled in one of the most beautiful parts of this improving town." 

"It will be an additional value to the undertaking that the ladies will be introduced as gracing this interesting scene."

The painting, which today hangs at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' Office, Corporation Square, contains:-

• 1st Marquess of Donegall, in uniform and on horseback;
• Sir Edward May Bt;
• Sir Arthur Chichester Bt;
• Thomas R Robinson, the painter, his wife, and their son Romney, a little boy in a fancy costume;
• Edward May;
• James Douglas;
• Thomas Verner;
• George Augustus Seymour Harvey;
• Gilbert McIlveen;
• William and John Sinclaire;
• William Johnston;
• Hugh Crawford;
• Narcissus Batt; 
• Dr and Mrs Bruce;
• Dr Drummon; 
• Mrs Graydon;
• Henry Joy; 
• Thomas Whinnery; 
• John Smith; 
• Robert Batt;
• Nathan Gregg;
• Robert Getty; 
• John Barnett; 
• Goerge Joy; 
• Rev W Armstrong;
• Dr James McDonnell;
• Alexander Stewart;
• Valentine Jones;
• Mrs Batt;
• etc.

George Benn remarks that the painting is nine feet in width and six feet in height, with forty-four figures, some on horseback, dated 1804.

"Mr Jones, ninety years of age and quite blind ... had a great objection to have his likeness taken, but the artist was introduced by stealth into his room, and while he painted, some of the family kept the old gentleman in chat; and so the picture was finished, and was said to be an admirable likeness."

"So far as we can recollect, the likenesses are generally good, and several more whose faces are not shown, and whose names are not given, are on horseback, and many others, besides some ladies."

"The work is altogether a Belfast historical picture, and of very great interest and value."

The Dictionary of Irish Artists, 1913, tells us that the painting was exhibited in 1809 under the title A Military Procession in Belfast in honour of Lord Nelson.

Robinson, it is said, originally intended this picture to represent a "Review of the Belfast Volunteers and Yeomanry by the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Lieutenant, in 1804," by which title it is now known.

About 1807 he tried to dispose of it by lottery, but, not being successful, he put in a statue of Lord Nelson in the centre of the picture, and exhibited it in Dublin as above.

A note on the Key to the picture in the Harbour Office says: "The background originally represented Donegall Place, but the artist afterwards changed it into the present ideal one."

No such event as a procession in honour of Lord Nelson took place, and there was never any statue of Nelson in Belfast.

First published in July, 2020.

Castle Gore

THE EARLS OF ARRAN WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY MAYO, WITH 29,644 ACRES

This family deduces from

GERARD GORE (c1516-1607), an Alderman of the City of London at the close of the 16th century (son of John Gore), obtained a grant of land in Surrey during the reign of ELIZABETH I.

He married Helen, daughter of Ralph Davenant, of Davenant Land, Essex.

He died at the advanced age of 91, having had, with other issue,

John (Sir), Lord Mayor of London, 1624; ancestor of EARL TEMPLE;

PAUL (Sir), of whom presently;

Richard, MP.

The younger son,

SIR PAUL GORE (1567-1629), of Manor Gore, Captain of a Troop of Horse, went to Ireland with his regiment in the reign of ELIZABETH I, and obtaining large grants of land, which he condensed into a manor, designated Manor Gore, settled there.

Captain Gore wedded Isabella, daughter of Francis Wickliffe, and niece of Thomas, Earl of Strafford, and had issue,

RALPH (Sir), ancestor of the extinct house of GORE, Earls of Ross;
ARTHUR, of whom presently;

Henry, Lieutenant-Commander RN;

Francis (Sir), of Ardtarmon, ancestor of GORE-BOOTH Baronets.

The second son,

ARTHUR GORE (c1640-97), of Newtown Gore, County Mayo, was created a baronet in 1662, designated of Newtown, County Mayo.

He wedded Eleanor, daughter of Sir George St George Bt, of Carrick, County Leitrim, and had (with seven daughters) four sons, viz.

PAUL, predeceased his father;
Arthur;
William, of Woodford, MP for Co Leitrim;
George, an eminent lawyer.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his grandson (son of Paul), 

SIR ARTHUR GORE, 2nd Baronet (c1682-1741), MP for Ballynakill, 1703-13, Donegal Borough, 1714-14, County Mayo, 1715-42, who married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Maurice Annesley, of Little Rath, County Kildare, and had four sons and three daughters,

ARTHUR, his heir;
Paul Annesley;
William;
George;
Anne; Eleanor; Elizabeth.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ARTHUR GORE, 3rd Baronet (1703-73), MP for Donegal Borough, 1727-58, who was created, in 1758, Baron Saunders, of Deeps, County Wexford, and Viscount Sudley, of Castle Gore (see arms at top).

His lordship was advanced to an earldom, in 1762, in the dignity of EARL OF ARRAN, of the Arran Islands, County Galway.

He espoused Jane, heiress of Richard Saunders, of Saunders Court, and relict of William Worth.

• Arthur Saunders Gore, 2nd Earl (1734–1809);
• Arthur Saunders Gore, 3rd Earl (1761–1837);
• Philip Yorke Gore, 4th Earl (1801–84);
• Arthur Saunders Gore, 5th Earl (1839–1901);
• Arthur Jocelyn Charles Gore, 6th Earl, KP (1868–1958);
• Arthur Paul John James Charles Gore, 7th Earl (1903–58);
• Arthur Strange Kattendyke David Archibald Gore, 8th Earl (1910–83);
• Arthur Desmond Colquhoun Gore, 9th Earl (b 1938).

6th Earl of Arran KP (1868-1958)

ARTHUR CHARLES JOCELYN CHARLES [GORE], 6th Earl, KP, PC; Knight of St Patrick, 1909; Privy Counsellor, 1917; Lord-Lieutenant of County Donegal, 1917-20.

The 6th Earl is pictured above, wearing the robe, sash and insignia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. 

Address to 6th Earl and Countess of Arran on their marriage

"We, the Tenants on your Lordship's Mayo Estate, and their friends, have heard with the utmost pleasure of your Marriage, and in meeting assembled, unanimously and with sincere and cordial feelings have passed the following resolution ..."

The Earls of Arran were a "Patrick family", the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Earls all having been appointed to the Order of St Patrick. 

The present Earl and Countess of Arran live at Castle Hill House, near Barnstaple, Devon.

*****

CASTLE GORE, or Deel Castle, near Crossmolina, County Mayo, is a 16th century tower house of the Bourkes.

It is close to the northern end of Lough Conn.

After Colonel Thomas Bourke had fought on the side of JAMES II in the Williamite War, the property was forfeited and given to the Gore family, afterwards Earls of Arran, who renamed it Castle Gore.

The tower-house had a large 18th century wing with a handsome rusticated doorway added to it, possibly incorporating a 17th century range.

They also acquired the manor of Belleek from the O'Haras, Barons Tyrawley, and owned estates in County Donegal.

The castle along with other lands was leased to James Cuff, Lord Tyrawley, towards the end of the 18th century; occupied by the Cuffs' steward for part of the 19th century.

James Cuff, Lord Tyrawley, built a house beside the Old Bourke Castle in 1791.

The house was burnt in 1922 when the Arrans removed to England. It was not rebuilt.

The old castle, which was still intact in the early 20th century, is now a ruin.

The Earls of Arran's London residence was The Pavilion, Hans Place.

First published in October, 2012.   Arran arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

The Hamilton Baronetcy (1781)

JOHN HAMILTON, of Dullerton, County Tyrone, and jure uxoris of Manor Elieston, in the same county, married Sarah, daughter of Sir William Hamilton, of Manor Elieston, son of Sir Claud Hamilton, brother of James, 1st Earl of Abercorn, and son of Claud, 1st Lord Paisley, and was father of

JOHN HAMILTON, of Dunnamanagh (Donemana), County Tyrone, had, with another daughter, wife of John Hamilton, of Hamilton's Grove, County Antrim, at least other three daughters and a son,

WILLIAM HAMILTON (1708-62), of Dunnamanagh, County Tyrone, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1735, MP for Strabane, 1733-62, who married, in 1735, Catherine, daughter of the Rev Dr George Leslie, of Ballyconnell House, County Cavan, and had issue,

JOHN STUART HAMILTON (c1740-1802), High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1764, MP for Strabane, 1763-97, who married Sarah, daughter of Frederick, 3rd Viscount Boyne.

Mr Hamilton was created a baronet in 1781, designated of Dunamanagh, County Tyrone.

Sir John was a member of the Dublin Society, 1769-76. His membership lapsed in 1777 but was renewed more than twenty years later in 1798. He was listed by the Society as a member in 1802-03, and deleted ca 1804.

It is thought that the following statement alludes to the 1st Baronet, Sir John Stuart Hamilton:

"When he was but nineteen he was unanimously elected one of the representatives in Parliament for Strabane, in which high and honourable station he behaved for upwards of thirty years with a conduct suitable to the great confidence reposed in him:"

"To his immortal honour he was one of those heroic patriots of Fabrician fortitude, who signalized themselves in so conspicuous a manner in the successful defence of the pass, which in 1753 was strenuously attempted to be forced, in order to overthrow the parliamentary constitution of this country; for which they were distinguished from their opponents by their wearing gold medals in memory of that glorious epoch:"

"And so sensible were his constituents of his singular merit and invariable principles in favour of his country, that at the late general election they unanimously re-elected him to represent them in parliament; the goodness and benevolence of his heart endeared him to all, and render his death universally lamented." 

"He is succeeded in his estate by John Hamilton, Esq., his eldest son and heir." SIR JOHN CHARLES HAMILTON, 2nd Baronet, died in 1818, when the baronetcy expired. 

First published in January, 2011

The Wooster Style

Any readers who zealously or otherwise follow the Belmont narrative shall doubtless be aware of my regard for Sir P G Wodehouse's fictional character Bertie Wooster, and his valet Jeeves.

The 1980s television series Jeeves & Wooster portrays Bertie as sartorially subtle and generally understated (when Jeeves lays his clothing out for him at the end of the bed).

In town Bertie invariably wears subtle grey or dark blue chalk-stripe, double-breasted, three-piece suits.

Although the shirts appear white, they are far more subtle than pure white.

On closer inspection, they have feint stripes of vague greys, or a colour that matches the suit.

The ties, too, are hard to describe, because they are usually patterned, though the pattern is quiet, unfussy, and complements the other clothing.

Breast pocket handkerchiefs or pocket squares are invariably white.

The hats and gloves, and the Albert Strap all make distinctive individual accessories.

In the country Bertie generally wears shades of brown or green: country tweed jackets, sleeveless, v-neck jumpers, cable-knit perhaps; woollen patterned ties; flat caps.

Apparel like this may well be unpopular today, though to my mind true Fashion is timeless.

So Bertie's apparel is generally never loud or bold; always quiet and unfussy.

Unless, of course, he chooses to disregard Jeeves's counsel.

Franklin Maxims: IX

WOULD YOU LIVE WITH EASE, DO WHAT YOU OUGHT, NOT WHAT YOU PLEASE

First published in June, 2020.

Ardress Revisited

Ensor arms

On Sunday, July 7th, 2024, I paid another visit to the delightful National Trust property of Ardress in the orchard county of Armagh.

There weren't many visitors there during my four-hour sojourn.

In the hall of the house hangs what seems to be an embroidered coat-of-arms of the Ensor family; I asked the guide if I could photograph it, given that I had no images of the family's armorial bearings.

South front, Ardress House (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

Ardress is one of the Trust's most charming properties, comprising a very manageable 100 acres, including lovely woodland walks, apple orchards, a historic farmyard complete with hens, old machinery, and, not least, the house itself.

Ardress was originally a farmhouse: over three centuries ago it was a relatively modest five-bay farm dwelling, built by a family called Clarke.

The Clarkes are thought to have come to Ulster with other planters in the retinue of Sir Anthony Cope Bt.

Sarah Clarke, of Ardress, married George Ensor in 1760.

I took a tour of the house at noon; followed by a guided tour of the farmyard.

South front, Ardress House, 1960 (National Trust)

Whereas the east entrance front is the handsomest part of the house, the sunny south front is improved by curved walls at each side; the one to the right concealing the dummy screen wall of the front (eastern) entrance façade.

A little conservatory used to lean against this curved wall until the property was purchased by the Trust in 1960 from Charles Howard Ensor.

A back porch, a bathroom block, and the said conservatory were subsequently removed by the National Trust.

Ravensdale Park

THE BARONS CLERMONT WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LOUTH, WITH 20,369 ACRES

This family deduces its pedigree from common ancestors with the EARLS FORTESCUE, viz. remotely, Sir Richard le Forte, a Norman knight, in the train of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR; and, more remotely, Lord Chief Justice Fortescue.

The first of its members that settled in Ireland,

SIR FAITHFUL FORTESCUE (c1581-1666), Knight, removed to that kingdom early in the reign of JAMES I, and commanded an infantry regiment there.

Sir Faithful obtained large possessions in Ireland, amongst which was Dromiskin Castle, County Louth.

He wedded Anne, daughter of Garret, 1st Viscount Moore, of Drogheda, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR THOMAS FORTESCUE (c1620-1710), Knight, Governor of Carrickfergus Castle, who espoused firstly, Sydney, daughter of Colonel William Kinsmill; and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Ferdinand Carey, and had issue,

WILLIAM;
Chichester.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his grandson,

THOMAS FORTESCUE (1683-1769), MP for Dundalk, 1727-60, who married Elizabeth, daughter of James Hamilton, and sister of James, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, and had issue,

James, father of WILLIAM, 2nd VISCOUNT CLERMONT;
WILLIAM HENRY, of whom hereafter;
Margaret; Charlotte.

Mr Fortescue's younger son,

THE RT HON WILLIAM HENRY FORTESCUE (1722-1806), MP for County Louth, 1745-60, Monaghan, 1761-70, was sworn of the Privy Council, 1764, and appointed Postmaster-General.

Mr Fortescue was elevated to the peerage, in 1770, in the dignity of Baron Clermont, of Clermont, County louth.

His lordship was created, in 1776, BARON and VISCOUNT CLERMONT, with remainder to his brother, the Rt Hon James Fortescue, of Ravensdale Park, County Louth, MP for that county.

His lordship was further advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1777, as EARL OF CLERMONT, but without the reversionary grant.

He was installed as a Knight Founder of the Order of St Patrick (KP) in 1795.

His lordship espoused Frances, eldest daughter of Colonel John Murray, County Monaghan; but dying without issue, in 1806, the earldom expired, while the other honours devolved, according to the limitation, upon his nephew,

WILLIAM CHARLES FORTESCUE, 2nd Viscount (1764-1829), only surviving son of his deceased brother, mentioned above, by Mary Henrietta, eldest daughter of Thomas Orby Hunter, of Crowland Abbey, Lincolnshire.

His lordship died at Ravensdale Park, County Louth, unmarried, when the viscountcy expired.

The title was revived, however, in 1852, when his kinsman,  

THOMAS FORTESCUE, was created BARON CLERMONT (2nd & 3rd creation).

• Thomas Fortescue, 1st Baron Clermont (1815-87)
• Chichester Parkinson-Fortescue, 1st Baron Carlingford, 2nd Baron Clermont (1823-98) (brother).

RAVENSDALE PARK, near Dundalk, County Louth, was a large, rather austere, early Victorian house built of granite with a plain, irregular aspect.

A lofty Italianate campanile with an open belvedere atop dominated the mansion.

Ravensdale was built for Thomas Fortescue, 1st Baron Clermont, the architect being Thomas Duff of Newry.

It was partly two and partly three storeys, though mainly the same height, with an eaved roof.

The garden front was remarkably long, being ten bays.

There was another front of five bays with a domed octagon at one corner.

Ravensdale became the home of Lord Clermont's younger brother and successor, the politician Chichester Fortescue, 1st and last Lord Carlingford (who married the famous Frances, Countess Waldegrave).

It was sold to Sir Daniel Dixon Bt, father of 1st Lord Glentoran; then sold again to Lord Arran.

Ravendale was sold, yet again, in 1920, and was burnt shortly afterwards.

Much of the former estate is now a forest park; while the Ravensdale Equestrian and Trekking Centre operates from the demesne.

Ravensdale Forest is part of the former demesne.

First Published in May, 2011.   Clermont arms courtesy of European Heraldry.