THE VISCOUNTS BANGOR OWNED 9,861 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN
The family of WARD is of Norman origin, and was seated at Capesthorne, in Cheshire, which Daniel King, in his book Vale Royal, calls "a great lordship and demesne, giving name to the ancient seat of the Wards."
We find in the roll of Battle Abbey that the family of WARD attended WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR into England, where, after some centuries, it appeared in three respectable branches; of which the Wards of Capesthorne, Cheshire.
For several centuries, having possessed many extensive lordships, descended the family of WARD, of Bangor, in the person of
This Bernard acquired the lands known as Carrickshannagh from the Earl of Kildare, and renamed it CASTLE WARD.
His son and heir,
NICHOLAS WARD, of Castle Ward, of full age at his father's death, was appointed Clerk, Comptroller and Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, 1599, an office he resigned in 1602.
Mr Ward, High Sheriff of County Down, 1620 and 1624, married, before 1584, Joan, daughter of Ralph Leycester MP, of Toft Hall, Cheshire, and had issue, with several daughters (one of whom, Eleanor, wedded Thomas Russell, of Lecale), four sons,
BERNARD, his heir;
Robert (Sir), created a baronet;
Charles, Colonel in the Army; killed at the battle of Worcester;
Nicholas.
The eldest son,
BERNARD WARD, of Castle Ward, born in 1606, High Sheriff of County Down, 1656, wedded Anne, daughter of Richard West, of Ballydugan, County Down, and had, with other issue, an eldest son,
NICHOLAS WARD, of Castle Ward, born in 1630, MP for Downpatrick, 1661-66, High Sheriff of County Down, 1662, who espoused Sarah, daughter and co-heir of Theophilus Buckworth, Bishop of Dromore, by Sarah Ussher his wife, and had, with other issue, an eldest son,
BERNARD WARD (1654-90), of Castle Ward, High Sheriff of County down, 1690, wedded, in 1681, Anne, daughter of Richard Ward (and sister of Michael Ward, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and afterwards Lord Bishop of Derry), and had issue, three sons and two daughters.
Mr Ward was killed in a duel, 1690, whilst High Sheriff, by Jocelyn Hamilton, of the Clanbrassil family (who was mortally wounded at the same time), and was succeeded by his second, but eldest surviving son,
MICHAEL WARD (1683-1759), of Castle Ward, MP for County Down, 1715, Judge of the King's Bench in Ireland in 1725.
He espoused, in 1709, Anne Catherine, daughter and co-heir of James Hamilton, of Bangor, County Down, and had issue,
BERNARD WARD (1719-81), of Castle Ward, High Sheriff of County Down, 1746, who married, in 1747, the Lady Ann Bligh, daughter of John, 1st Earl of Darnley, and widow of Robert Hawkins Magill, of Gill Hall, County Down, by whom he had issue,
BERNARD WARD, of Castle Ward, born in 1606, High Sheriff of County Down, 1656, wedded Anne, daughter of Richard West, of Ballydugan, County Down, and had, with other issue, an eldest son,
NICHOLAS WARD, of Castle Ward, born in 1630, MP for Downpatrick, 1661-66, High Sheriff of County Down, 1662, who espoused Sarah, daughter and co-heir of Theophilus Buckworth, Bishop of Dromore, by Sarah Ussher his wife, and had, with other issue, an eldest son,
BERNARD WARD (1654-90), of Castle Ward, High Sheriff of County down, 1690, wedded, in 1681, Anne, daughter of Richard Ward (and sister of Michael Ward, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and afterwards Lord Bishop of Derry), and had issue, three sons and two daughters.
Mr Ward was killed in a duel, 1690, whilst High Sheriff, by Jocelyn Hamilton, of the Clanbrassil family (who was mortally wounded at the same time), and was succeeded by his second, but eldest surviving son,
MICHAEL WARD (1683-1759), of Castle Ward, MP for County Down, 1715, Judge of the King's Bench in Ireland in 1725.
He espoused, in 1709, Anne Catherine, daughter and co-heir of James Hamilton, of Bangor, County Down, and had issue,
BERNARD, his heir;Mr Ward was succeeded by his only son,
Anne; Sophia.
BERNARD WARD (1719-81), of Castle Ward, High Sheriff of County Down, 1746, who married, in 1747, the Lady Ann Bligh, daughter of John, 1st Earl of Darnley, and widow of Robert Hawkins Magill, of Gill Hall, County Down, by whom he had issue,
NICHOLAS, his successor;
John, died young;
Edward, father of 3rd Viscount and Henry (Rev), Rector of Killinchy;
Robert (Rt Hon), High Sheriff of Co Down, 1792;
Anne Catharine; Sophia; Amelia; Harriet.
Colonel Ward, MP for County Down, 1745-70, was elevated to the peerage, in 1770, in the dignity Baron Bangor, of Castle Ward, County Down.
His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1781, as VISCOUNT BANGOR, of Castle Ward, County Down.
He was succeeded by his eldest son,
NICHOLAS, 2nd Viscount (1750-1827); who died unmarried in 1827, when the honours reverted to his nephew,
EDWARD SOUTHWELL, 3rd Viscount (1790-1837), High Sheriff of County Down, 1823, who wedded, in 1826, Harriet Margaret, daughter of the Rev Henry Maxwell, afterwards Lord Farnham, and had issue,
EDWARD, 4th Viscount (1827-81), who died unmarried, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,
HENRY WILLIAM CROSBIE, 5th Viscount (1828-1911), who married firstly, in 1854, MARY, daughter of the Rev Henry King, and had issue,
His lordship was succeeded by his third son,
MAXWELL RICHARD CROSBIE, 6th Viscount (1868-1950), OBE PC, who wedded, in 1905, Agnes Elizabeth, daughter of Dacre Mervyn Archdale Hamilton, and had issue,
Between 1972 and 1997 we, as a family, spent most weekends at Castle Ward. We were based at the idyllic caravan site at the extreme eastern end of the estate, nearest to the village of Strangford.
The site warden was Ernest Swail, reputedly Lord Bangor's last boatman (the 6th Viscount enjoyed boating himself).
I have fond memories of the Swails; and Mr Swail kept the caravan park immaculate, clean, tidy and well mown.
During that era the National Trust custodian was Lieutenant-Colonel Terence P Kidd, a gentleman I also recall.
Colonel and Mrs Kidd lived at the top of Castle Ward House. A gleaming brass plaque with his name greeted visitors at the side entrance.
They spent their retirement at Black Causeway House (near the caravan site), and Mrs Kidd continued to volunteer as a guide or assistant in the House when he died.
We invariably spent contented evenings at the LOBSTER POT in the village.
CASTLE WARD, near Downpatrick, County Down, originally called Carrick na Sheannagh, has been in the Ward family since the second half of the 16th century, when it was bought [ca 1570] from the Earls of Kildare by Bernard, father of Sir Robert Ward, Surveyor-General of Ireland.
The most important survival from the days of these early Wards is a 17th century tower house standing in the farmyard of the Castle Ward estate, built in 1610 by Nicholas Ward, who was a government official in Ireland towards the end of the reign of ELIZABETH I.
It is a three-storied stone building almost 50 feet high and built for defence.
The present walled demesne of ca 850 acres dates from the 16th century.
There has been a succession of houses here.
The tower house, Old Castle Ward, ca 1590, survives near the shores of Strangford Lough.
Around 1720, Judge Michael Ward built a new mansion to the north-west.
This was demolished ca 1850, but much associated landscaping and planting survives.
The demesne was partitioned into regular fields, embellished with plantations with an extensive formal garden around Castle Ward House.
There were two canals, one of which survives as the Temple Water.
It was dug ca 1728 and centred on a vista to the neighbouring 15th century tower house, Audley’s Castle.
A smaller canal at right angles is now grassed over, but is denoted by a double line of (replanted 1983) lime trees.
A series of three yew-lined, terraced walks constitute another good surviving feature from the 1720s.
Other features have not survived, notably a duck decoy (pre-1725) and a 'mount', which provided views of the gardens.
Lady Anne Ward's Temple was added to the formal layout ca 1750 on high ground in a position overlooking the Temple Water and Strangford Lough.
This classical building, with its portico and dressings of Bath stone, was sketched in 1762 by Mrs Delany, who also depicted a grotto in the slopes below.
No trace of this survives.
The present house was built ca 1761-7 by Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, in the middle of the pre-existing demesne.
It is notable for its contrasting formal Palladian and Gothic fronts, which give it a schizophrenic character.
A landscape park was laid out for the new house incorporating new plantations, walks, avenues and a small deer-park.
A new stable block (1758-70), was linked to the house by hidden walks and a tunnel.
The park was much admired by contemporary observers.
There are many fine parkland trees, woodland and shelter belts in the undulating terrain.
The walled garden (3.7 acres in extent), built on the north side of the Temple Water, was added ca 1830, while further demesne buildings were added in the mid-19th century.
During the mid-19th century the parkland was greatly enhanced by the judicious improvements of Major Nugent, second husband to Lady Bangor.
The Mountain Wood (ca 1844) and Windmill Plantation (ca.1850) were added and the park extended over the Audleystown peninsula, clearing a village in the process (c.1855).
The 1840s also witnessed the creation of the Windsor Garden, which had four terraces and a rectangular sunken area, the latter being graced by an elaborate parterre of 61 beds.
To the west, a pinetum with a fine collection of spruces, pines, firs and cypresses was established; while a substantial rockery was added to the area during the Edwardian period.
The main gate lodge, Ballyculter Lodge of ca 1850, was extended in 1870, when the position of the gates was altered. The gate screen is listed.
Other entrances no longer used are: Downpatrick Gate Lodge; Strangford Lodge, pre-1859; North Lodge, ca 1880.
The House and grounds have been National Trust property since 1952.
 |
| Bernard, 1st Viscount Bangor (Image: The National Trust) |
His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1781, as VISCOUNT BANGOR, of Castle Ward, County Down.
He was succeeded by his eldest son,
NICHOLAS, 2nd Viscount (1750-1827); who died unmarried in 1827, when the honours reverted to his nephew,
EDWARD SOUTHWELL, 3rd Viscount (1790-1837), High Sheriff of County Down, 1823, who wedded, in 1826, Harriet Margaret, daughter of the Rev Henry Maxwell, afterwards Lord Farnham, and had issue,
EDWARD, his successor;His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,
HENRY WILLIAM CROSBIE, succeeded his brother;
William John;
Bernard Matthew;
two further sons.
EDWARD, 4th Viscount (1827-81), who died unmarried, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,
HENRY WILLIAM CROSBIE, 5th Viscount (1828-1911), who married firstly, in 1854, MARY, daughter of the Rev Henry King, and had issue,
Henry Somerset Andrew (1857-60);
Edward William Henry (1863-87);
MAXWELL RICHARD CROSBIE, his successor;
Harriette Mary; Kathleen Annette Norah; Bertha Jane; Mary Henrietta; Emily Georgiana.
He wedded secondly, in 1874, Elizabeth, only daughter of Major Hugh Eccles, without further issue.
 |
| Henry, 5th Viscount Bangor (Image: The National Trust) |
His lordship was succeeded by his third son,
MAXWELL RICHARD CROSBIE, 6th Viscount (1868-1950), OBE PC, who wedded, in 1905, Agnes Elizabeth, daughter of Dacre Mervyn Archdale Hamilton, and had issue,
EDWARD HENRY HAROLD, his successor;
Mary Helen Kathleen; Helen Elizabeth; Margaret Bertha.
His lordship was succeeded by his son,
EDWARD HENRY HAROLD, 7th Viscount (1905-93), of London, who married firstly, in 1933, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Balfour; secondly, in 1937, May Kathleen, daughter of William B O Middleton; and thirdly, in 1947, Leila Mary, daughter of David Rimington Heaton, by whom he had issue,
WILLIAM MAXWELL DAVID, his successor.
His lordship wedded fourthly, in 1951, Marjorie Alice, daughter of Peter Banks, and had further issue,
Edward Nicholas, heir presumptive to the titles;Sarah.
His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,
WILLIAM MAXWELL, 8th Viscount (1948-), of London, who married, in 1976, Sarah Mary Malet (Sarah Bradford), daughter of Brigadier Hilary Anthony Hayes, without issue.
The heir presumptive is Lord Bangor's half-brother, the Hon Edward Nicholas Ward (b 1953).
*****
The site warden was Ernest Swail, reputedly Lord Bangor's last boatman (the 6th Viscount enjoyed boating himself).
I have fond memories of the Swails; and Mr Swail kept the caravan park immaculate, clean, tidy and well mown.
During that era the National Trust custodian was Lieutenant-Colonel Terence P Kidd, a gentleman I also recall.
Colonel and Mrs Kidd lived at the top of Castle Ward House. A gleaming brass plaque with his name greeted visitors at the side entrance.
They spent their retirement at Black Causeway House (near the caravan site), and Mrs Kidd continued to volunteer as a guide or assistant in the House when he died.
We invariably spent contented evenings at the LOBSTER POT in the village.
CASTLE WARD, near Downpatrick, County Down, originally called Carrick na Sheannagh, has been in the Ward family since the second half of the 16th century, when it was bought [ca 1570] from the Earls of Kildare by Bernard, father of Sir Robert Ward, Surveyor-General of Ireland.
The most important survival from the days of these early Wards is a 17th century tower house standing in the farmyard of the Castle Ward estate, built in 1610 by Nicholas Ward, who was a government official in Ireland towards the end of the reign of ELIZABETH I.
It is a three-storied stone building almost 50 feet high and built for defence.
The present walled demesne of ca 850 acres dates from the 16th century.
There has been a succession of houses here.
The tower house, Old Castle Ward, ca 1590, survives near the shores of Strangford Lough.
Around 1720, Judge Michael Ward built a new mansion to the north-west.
This was demolished ca 1850, but much associated landscaping and planting survives.
The demesne was partitioned into regular fields, embellished with plantations with an extensive formal garden around Castle Ward House.
There were two canals, one of which survives as the Temple Water.
It was dug ca 1728 and centred on a vista to the neighbouring 15th century tower house, Audley’s Castle.
A smaller canal at right angles is now grassed over, but is denoted by a double line of (replanted 1983) lime trees.
A series of three yew-lined, terraced walks constitute another good surviving feature from the 1720s.
Other features have not survived, notably a duck decoy (pre-1725) and a 'mount', which provided views of the gardens.
Lady Anne Ward's Temple was added to the formal layout ca 1750 on high ground in a position overlooking the Temple Water and Strangford Lough.
This classical building, with its portico and dressings of Bath stone, was sketched in 1762 by Mrs Delany, who also depicted a grotto in the slopes below.
No trace of this survives.
 |
| Castle Ward: Entrance Front (Robert John Welch/NMNI) |
The present house was built ca 1761-7 by Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, in the middle of the pre-existing demesne.
It is notable for its contrasting formal Palladian and Gothic fronts, which give it a schizophrenic character.
A landscape park was laid out for the new house incorporating new plantations, walks, avenues and a small deer-park.
A new stable block (1758-70), was linked to the house by hidden walks and a tunnel.
The park was much admired by contemporary observers.
 |
| Castle Ward from Portaferry ca 1790, by Jonathan Fisher (Image: The National Trust) |
There are many fine parkland trees, woodland and shelter belts in the undulating terrain.
The walled garden (3.7 acres in extent), built on the north side of the Temple Water, was added ca 1830, while further demesne buildings were added in the mid-19th century.
During the mid-19th century the parkland was greatly enhanced by the judicious improvements of Major Nugent, second husband to Lady Bangor.
The Mountain Wood (ca 1844) and Windmill Plantation (ca.1850) were added and the park extended over the Audleystown peninsula, clearing a village in the process (c.1855).
The 1840s also witnessed the creation of the Windsor Garden, which had four terraces and a rectangular sunken area, the latter being graced by an elaborate parterre of 61 beds.
To the west, a pinetum with a fine collection of spruces, pines, firs and cypresses was established; while a substantial rockery was added to the area during the Edwardian period.
The main gate lodge, Ballyculter Lodge of ca 1850, was extended in 1870, when the position of the gates was altered. The gate screen is listed.
Other entrances no longer used are: Downpatrick Gate Lodge; Strangford Lodge, pre-1859; North Lodge, ca 1880.
The House and grounds have been National Trust property since 1952.
Former town house ~ 105, Devonshire Mews South, W1.
First published in July, 2010.
First published in July, 2010.
2 comments :
That was very interesting Thank you
I love this as my great grandmother was a Ward. My uncle is trying to track and family history backwards.
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