Saturday, 7 September 2024

Belvoir House: 1914

Belvoir House, East Elevation

These pictures were taken at Belvoir Park, Newtownbreda, County Down, in 1914 by Grace de Pesters-MacColl, Raoul de Pesters’ grandmother.

Mr de Pesters has kindly provided me with the images.

The top picture shows Belvoir House (today the site of the car-park) from the eastern side.

The retaining wall (which still exists) can clearly be seen, with sweeping parkland below.


The image below is an aspect of Belvoir from the north-east.


I HAVE WRITTEN at length about Belvoir House and estate, which was once home to nobility, gentry and merchants..

In 1900 Walter Wilson leased Belvoir from Lord Deramore.

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WALTER HENRY WILSON JP (1839-1904), of Maryville, and of Cranmore, Belfast, married Sarah Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heir of James Owen Wynne, of Hazelwood.

In 1900, Mr Wilson took a 20 year lease of Belvoir Park from Lord Deramore.

Mr Wilson, a shipbuilder, was partner in the Belfast shipyard, Harland and Wolff, with Lord Pirrie.

His first marital home was at 1 Botanic Avenue, Belfast. Mr Wilson subsequently rented Stranmillis House, prior to leasing Belvoir.

He subsequently purchased Cranmore House, adjacent to Maryville, his old family home.

His eldest son,  

ALEXANDER GEORGE WILSON JP, of Maryville and Cranmore, born in 1876, was a lieutenant in the Army Motor Reserve; educated at Cheam and Harrow. He succeeded his father in 1904.

The lease on Belvoir Park was terminated in 1918.

First published in October, 2012. 

1 comment :

Andrew said...

I wonder if there was a connection to the Ellerman Wilson Line. I considered being a ship broker in my youth and the name was prominent in Hull I remember.