Mount Bellew House

THE GRATTAN-BELLEW BARONETS OWNED 10,516 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY GALWAY

This family springs from a common ancestor with the BARONS BELLEW, of Barmeath Castle.

MICHAEL BELLEW, of Mount Bellew, County Galway, married Jane, daughter of Henry Dillon, and had issue,

CHRISTOPHER DILLON, his heir;
Mary Catherine. 

Mr Bellew died in 1797, and was succeeded by his son,

CHRISTOPHER DILLON BELLEW (1763-1826), of Mount Bellew, who wedded, in 1794, Olivia Emily, only daughter of Anthony, 4th Baron Nugent of Riverston, and had issue,

MICHAEL DILLON BELLEW (1796-1855), of Mount Bellew, who espoused, in 1816, Helena Maria, daughter of Thomas Dillon, of Dublin, and had numerous issue, of whom

CHRISTOPHER, his heir;
Thomas Arthur, father of 3rd Baronet.

Mr Bellew was created a baronet in 1838, designated of Mount Bellew, County Galway.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE REV SIR CHRISTOPHER BELLEW, 2nd Baronet (1818-67), a Catholic priest, whose brother,

THOMAS ARTHUR BELLEW (1820-63), married, in 1858, Pauline, daughter of the Rt Hon James Grattan MP, and had issue,

HENRY CHRISTOPHER, his heir;
Mary Helena.

Mr Bellew added the name and arms of GRATTAN in 1859.

He was succeeded by his son,

HENRY CHRISTOPHER GRATTAN-BELLEW (1860-1942), of Mount Bellew, who, succeeding his uncle as 3rd Baronet, wedded, in 1885, the Lady Sophia Maria Elizabeth Forbes, daughter of George, 7th Earl of Granard, and had issue,

Herbert Michael, 1886-1906;
CHARLES CHRISTOPHER;
William Arthur;
Thomas Henry;
Arthur John (Sir), Knight, CMG;
Helena Barbara; Moira Jane; Angela Mary.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR CHARLES CHRISTOPHER GRATTAN-BELLEW, 4th Baronet (1887-1948), MC, who wedded, in 1923, Maureen Peyton, daughter of Sir Thomas George Segrave, and had issue,

HENRY CHARLES, his successor;
Deirdre Maureen.

Sir Charles, Lieutenant-Colonel, King's Royal Rifle Corps, was succeeded by his son,

SIR HENRY CHARLES GRATTAN-BELLEW, 5th and present Baronet, born in 1933, who married firstly, in 1956, Naomi, daughter of Dr Charles Cyril Morgan; secondly, in 1967, Gillian Hulley; and thirdly, in 1978, Elzabe Amy, daughter of Henry Gilbert Body.

By his second wife he had issue,

PATRICK CHARLES, b 1971;
Deirdre Sophia, b 1967.

Photo credit: Dr Patrick Melvin & Eamonn de Burca

MOUNT BELLEW HOUSE, Mount Bellew Bridge, County Galway, was a house of mainly late-Georgian style.

It was remodelled ca 1820 by Christopher Dillon Bellew.

Mount Bellew comprised a three-storey centre block, with a single-bay entrance front.

The central block had a Venetian window at the top storey of the centre block.

It boasted a notable library which was said to have held one of the finest collections of books during its era.

Mount Bellew was sold about 1938 and subsequently demolished.

The Grattan-Bellews owned a further 10,593 acres in the Queen's County, and 1,895 in County Roscommon.

First published in March, 2016.

Terenure House

THE SHAW BARONETS OWNED 996 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DUBLIN

CAPTAIN WILLIAM SHAW (c1651-1734), of Hampshire, son of Captain William Shaw, fought at the battle of the Boyne, 1690, an officer in Colonel Michelburn's foot regiment, was father of

RICHARD SHAW (1673-1729), of Ballinderry, County Tipperary, who married, in 1696, Judith, daughter of Edward Briscoe, and was father of

ROBERT SHAW (1698-1758), of Sandpits, County Kilkenny, who wedded, in 1736, Mary, daughter of Bernard Markham, and had issue,

William;
Thomas;
ROBERT, of whom presently;
Rebecca.

The youngest son,

ROBERT SHAW (1749-96), of Terenure, County Dublin, a merchant in Dublin, Accountant-General of the Post Office, espoused firstly, Mary, daughter of William Higgins, of Higginsbrook, County Meath, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Bernard;
Ponsonby;
Thomas;
John;
Mary; Charlotte.

Mr Shaw married secondly, Priscilla Cecilia, daughter of Colonel Robert Armitage, and had further issue,

George;
Lees;
Caroline; Sylvia.

The eldest son,

ROBERT SHAW (1774-1849), of Bushy Park, County Dublin, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1806, MP for Dublin City, 1804-26, Colonel, Royal Dublin Militia, wedded firstly, in 1796, Maria, daughter of Abraham Wilkinson, of Dublin, and had issue,

ROBERT, his successor;
FREDERICK, 3rd Baronet;
Beresford William;
George Augustus (Rev);
Charles;
Charlotte; another daughter.

He espoused secondly, in 1834, Amelia, daughter of Dr Benjamin Spencer, of Bristol.

Mr Shaw was created a baronet in 1821, designated of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT SHAW, 2nd Baronet (1796-1869), DL, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his next brother,

THE RT HON SIR FREDERICK SHAW, 3rd Baronet (1799-1876), Privy Counsellor, MP for Dublin, 1830-32, Dublin University, 1832-48, Recorder of Dublin, who espoused, in 1819, Thomasine Emily, daughter of the Hon George Jocelyn, and had issue,

ROBERT, his successor;
George, Major-General;
Frederic;
Edward Wingfield;
Wilkinson Jocelyn;
Thomasine Harriot; two other daughters.

Sir Frederick was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT SHAW, 4th Baronet (1821-95), DL, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1848, Lieutenant-Colonel, Dublin Militia, who married, in 1852, Catherine Grace, daughter of William Barton, and had issue, a son and successor,

SIR FREDERICK WILLIAM SHAW, 5th Baronet (1858-1927), DSO JP DL, of Bushy Park, Terenure, County Dublin, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Irish Regiment, who wedded, in 1885, Eleanor Hester, daughter of Major Francis Horatio de Vere, and had issue,

ROBERT DE VERE, his successor;
Frederick Charleton;
Annie Kate; Mary Margaret; Grace Eleanor; Eily de Vere.

Sir Frederick was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT DE VERE SHAW, 6th Baronet (1890-1969), MC, who espoused, in 1923, Dorothy Joan, daughter of Thomas Cross, and had issue.

TERENURE HOUSE, County Dublin, is a noble 18th century house, comprising a five-bay front between two curved bows.

There are urns on the pediment.

There is a three-bay pedimented breakfront and a pillared porch.

In 1671, Major Joseph Deane, an officer in Cromwell’s army, purchased Terenure from Talbot for £4,000.

Major Deane, grandfather of the Rt Hon Joseph Deane MP, converted the castle into a mansion and his family held the property until 1789, when most of the land was sold to Abraham Wilkinson, of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

In 1785, Terenure House was leased to Robert Shaw, Accountant-General of the Post Office and a great-great uncle of George Bernard Shaw.

His son, Sir Robert Shaw, 1st Baronet, MP and Lord Mayor of Dublin, acquired the property, which was purchased for him by his father-in-law, Abraham Wilkinson, of Bushy Park, County Dublin.

Mr Wilkinson had already acquired much of the Terenure Estate in 1791.

He added almost 100 acres to the demesne and presented it, along with £10,000, to his only child Maria on her marriage to Robert Shaw, Junior.

Following the death of his father, Shaw came into possession of Terenure House and he sold it, about 1806, to Frederick Bourne, the proprietor of a stage coach business.

The Bournes occupied Terenure House until 1857, and during this period the estate was renowned for its magnificent landscaping, the planting in the grounds, and the extent and content of the glasshouses.

In 1860, the property was purchased by the Carmelite Order, which opened as a secondary school for boys.

From time to time extensions have been added and a fine church was built in 1958.

First published in August, 2018.

The Knight of Kerry

THE KNIGHTS OF KERRY OWNED 5,372 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY KERRY

THE KNIGHT OF KERRY is the lineal descendant and representative of MAURICE FITZJOHN, third son of JOHN FITZGERALD, 1ST BARON DESMOND, by Honora, his second wife, daughter of Hugh O'Connor, of Kerry.

SIR MAURICE BUIDHE FITZJOHN was created Knight of Kerry either by EDWARD III after the Battle of Halidon Hill, or by virute of his father's status as a Count Palatine, on the 19th July, 1333.

He had issue,

RICHARD, of whom presently;
Robert.

The elder son,

RICHARD FITZMAURICE, 2nd Knight, was father of

MAURICE FITZRICHARD, 3rd Knight, who married, in 1382, Margaret de Courcy, and had issue,

EDMOND, 4th Knight;
NICHOLAS, 5th Knight;
John;
Gerald;
David;
Richard.

The second son,

NICHOLAS FITZMAURICE, 5th Knight, Bishop of Ardfert ca 1408, had issue,

James;
JOHN CAOCH, his successor.

The younger son,

JOHN CAOCH, 6th Knight, was father of

MAURICE, his successor;
Nicholas;
Richard;
Edmond;
Gerald;
James;
Patrick.

The eldest son,

MAURICE FITZJOHN, 7th Knight, was father of

JOHN FITZMAURICE, 8th Knight, Bishop of Ardfert, 1495, father of

WILLIAM FITZJOHN, 9th Knight, who wedded Una, daughter of Edmond, 9th Baron Kerry, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Richard;
William;
Gibbon;
Oliverus;
a daughter.

The eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 10th Knight, espoused Shile, daughter of Donal O'Sullivan More, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Maurice;
Patrick;
Gerald;
Una; Helen; Elinor.

The 10th Knight died in 1595, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM FITZGERALD, 11th Knight, who married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Tobin, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
William;
Patrick;
Maurice;
Ellen.

The 11th Knight died in 1640, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 12th Knight, who wedded Katherine, daughter of Thomas, 16th Baron Kerry, and had issue,

Patrick;
JOHN, of whom hereafter;
Thomas;
Edmond;
Elinor; Juliana.

The 12th Knight was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 13th Knight, who espoused Honora, daughter of Connor, 2nd Viscount Clare, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
John;
Daniel;
Thomas;
Elinor; Katherine; Honora.

The 13th Knight was succeeded by his eldest son,

MAURICE FITZGERALD, 14th Knight, who wedded Elizabeth, daughter of David Crosbie, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
ROBERT, 17th Knight of Kerry;
Jane; Honora; Bridget; Anne; Margaret; Marion; Mary; Barbara; Lucy.

The 14th Knight died in 1729, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 15th Knight (1706-41), MP for Dingle, 1728-41, who espoused, in 1732, Margaret, daughter of the Rt Hon Joseph Deane, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
Elizabeth.

The 15th Knight was succeeded by his son,

MAURICE FITZGERALD, 16th Knight (c1734-79), MP for Dingle, 1761-76, who wedded, in 1764, the Lady Anna Maria FitzMaurice, daughter of William, 2nd Earl of Kerry, though the marriage was without issue, and the family honours reverted to his uncle,

ROBERT FITZGERALD, 17th Knight (1717-81), MP for Dingle, 1741-81, who married firstly, in 1746, Lucy, daughter of John Leslie; secondly, in 1752, Catherine, daughter of Thomas FitzGerald, 18th Knight of Glin; and thirdly, in 1770, Katherine, daughter of Launcelot Sandes, by whom he had issue,

Robert (1772-99);
MAURICE, of whom presently;
Mary.

The surviving son,

THE RT HON MAURICE FITZGERALD, 18th Knight (1774-1849), JP, DL, MP for County Kerry, 1794-1831, espoused firstly, Elenor, daughter of Thomas FitzEdmond; and secondly, in 1801, Maria, daughter of the Rt Hon David La Touche, by whom he had issue,

Robert;
Maurice;
David;
Robert;
Brinsley;
PETER GEORGE, of whom presently;
Stephen Edward;
Elizabeth Emily; Maria; Gertrude; Catherine.

The 18th Knight was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

PETER GEORGE FITZGERALD, 19th Knight (1808-80), JP DL, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1849, County Carlow, 1875, who wedded, in 1838, Julia, daughter of Peter Bodkin Hussey, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
Robert John;
Peter David;
Brinsley John Hamilton;
Mary Emily Frances; Emily; Frances Caroline; Katherine;
Elizabeth Ann; Julia Emma Isabella; Eileeen Gertrude.

The 19th Knight of Kerry was created a baronet, in 1880, designated of Valentia, County Kerry.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MAURICE FITZGERALD, 2nd Baronet and 20th Knight (1844-1916), CVO JP DL, Captain, The Rifle Brigade, Equerry to HRH The Duke of Connaught, who married, in 1882, Amelia Catherine, daughter of Henri Louis Bischoffsheim, and had issue,

Arthur Maurice, died in infancy;
JOHN PETER GERALD MAURICE, his successor;
ARTHUR HENRY BRINSLEY, successor to his brother;
Louise Nesta Pamela.

Sir Maurice was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN PETER GERALD MAURICE FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet and 21st Knight (1884-1957), MC, Major, Royal Horse Guards, who espoused, in 1919, the Lady Mildred Murray, daughter of daughter of Charles, 7th Earl of Dunmore, though the marriage was without issue, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

SIR ARTHUR HENRY BRINSLEY FITZGERALD, 4th Baronet and 22nd Knight (1885-1967), Captain, the Irish Guards, ADC to two field-marshals and the Governor of Bombay, who wedded, in 1914, Mary Eleanor, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis William Forester, and had issue,

John Brinsley (1914-43), killed in action;
GEORGE PETER MAURICE, of whom hereafter;
Mary Finola.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his younger son,

SIR GEORGE PETER MAURICE FITZGERALD, 5th Baronet and 23rd Knight (1917-2001), MC, Major, the Irish Guards, who married, in 1939, Angela Dora, daughter of Captain James Rankin Mitchell, and had issue,

ADRIAN JAMES ANDREW DENIS, his successor;
Rosanna.

Sir George was succeeded by his son,

SIR ADRIAN JAMES ANDREW DENIS FITZGERALD, 6th Baronet and 24th Knight of Kerry (1940-), of Cappoquin, County Kerry, and 16, Clareville Street, London, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, 1984-5.

Ancestral seats ~ Glanleam House, Valentia Island, County Kerry; Ballinruddery House, Listowel, County Kerry; Rahinnane Castle, Dingle, County Kerry.

First published in June, 2019.

Malin Hall

THE HARVEYS OWNED 12,212 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

JAMES HARVEY, or HERVY, was presumably son of CAPTAIN GEORGE HARVEY, who had a confirmation of arms and grant of crest, 1602, for this confirmation was afterwards in his (James's) possession, and then in the possession of Robert, his fourth son, and was in the possession of George Miller Harvey, DL, of Malin Hall, a descendant.

James Harvey was a lessee under Lieutenant George Gale, of Dunmore, and his son, George Gale, of Dunmore.

His name is written "James Hervy" in a chancery bill dated 1673.

James Harvey died in 1667, having had issue, four sons,

David, of Dunmore;
John, of Imlick;
James;
ROBERT, of whom we treat.

The fourth son of the above James Harvey or Hervy, of Dunmore,

ROBERT HARVEY, of Londonderry, a storekeeper during the siege of Derry, 1688, High Sheriff of that county, 1696, married and had issue,

JOHN, of whom hereafter;
Samuel, of Londonderry;
Sarah.

The elder son,

JOHN HARVEY, of Londonderry, married, in 1685, Martha Rankin, stepdaughter of Captain Michael Browning, of the merchant ship Mountjoy, and had issue,

John;
Robert.

He wedded secondly, Jane (d 1706), daughter of Richard Godsalve, of Rigmaden, Lancashire; and thirdly, in 1706, Elizabeth (d 1708), daughter of Alexander Lecky, Alderman and Mayor of Londonderry, High Sheriff, 1677.

Mr Harvey espoused fourthly, Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Henry Hart, of Kilderry, Inishowen, by Anne his wife, daughter of SIR TRISTRAM BERESFORD Bt, by whom he had (with other issue),

GEORGE, of whom presently;
Henry;
Thomas (Rev).

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE HARVEY (1713-73), High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1754, who acquired a considerable estate in the manor of Malin, Inishowen, and built Malin Hall.

Mr Harvey married, in 1740, his cousin, Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel George Hart, of Kilderry, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
George Hart, dsp;
George;
Thomas;
Ludford (Sir), knighted 1813;
Mary Anne; Elizabeth; Mary Anne; Alice; Anne.

The eldest son,

THE REV JOHN HARVEY (1742-94), of Malin Hall, wedded, in 1766, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Young, of Culdaff, and had issue,

George, dsp;
George, dsp;
ROBERT, his heir;
Edward;
John;
Thomas;
Henry;
William;
Mary Anne.

The eldest surviving son,

ROBERT HARVEY (1770-1820), of Malin Hall, High Sheriff of Sounty Donegal, 1804, married, in 1801, Barbara Frances, eldest daughter of ROBERT GAGE, of Rathlin Island, County Antrim, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Robert;
George;
Gardiner;
Mary; Marianne; Barbara; Susan; Catherine.

Mr Harvey was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN HARVEY JP DL (1802-68), of Malin Hall. High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1836, who espoused, in 1831, Emily, daughter of the Rev Dr George Miller, of Armagh, and had issue,

Robert (1833-55);
GEORGE MILLER, his heir.

The son and heir,

GEORGE MILLER HARVEY JP DL (1838-1919), of Malin Hall. High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1870, married, in 1864, Julia Mary, daughter of William Charles Gage, of Drummond House, County Londonderry, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Mary Gage; Julia Emily.

Mr Harvey was succeeded by his son and heir,

JOHN HARVEY (1865-1940), of Malin Hall, who wedded, in 1895, Florita, eldest daughter of J Digby O’Donoghue, of Montevideo, and had issue,

Julia Mary, b 1896;
Emily Georgina, b 1898;
Dora (1903-68).

MALIN HALL, near Clonca, County Donegal, is a two-storey, early 18th century house of 1758 with a five-bay front, the door-case having pilasters and entablature.

The range to the rear has a curvilinear gable.

Malin Hall (Image: Buildings of Ireland)

Malin Hall had been lived in continuously by the Harveys since they built it in 1758 until 1973, when it was sold by George Miller Harvey.

Ian Harvey, born in 1947, left agricultural college in 1966 and lived at Malin Hall, farming the 250 acre estate until its sale seven years later.

First published in August, 2012.

Mussenden Temple Revived

Mussenden Temple (Image: By D LN, Wikipedia)

As part of the students' National Diploma at Northern Regional College, Ballymoney, County Antrim, they have researched and created a "3D" graphical reconstruction of Mussenden Temple, DOWNHILL DEMESNE, County Londonderry, as it is looked around the early 1800s.

Below is a short, three-minute video clip providing us with a flavour of how the interior of the Temple might have appeared two centuries ago.

The interior of the Temple afforded exquisite beauty and grandeur, with copious gilding and elegant plasterwork.

A broad path and wall originally existed in front of the Temple.

OS map of ca 1830

The cliff has been receding to the extent that, in the late 1990s, bolts and anchors were inserted into the rock in order to stablilize the cliff face.

Downhill is a property of the National Trust.

Downhill Revived

As part of the students' National Diploma at Northern Regional College, Ballymoney, County Antrim, they have researched and created a "3D" graphical reconstruction of DOWNHILL HOUSE, County Londonderry, as it is looked around the early 1800s.

Staff and Students have produced this reconstruction as a concept of what to expect from future interpretation plans for Downhill.

Downhill Demesne is a property of the National Trust.

First published in September, 2018.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Dr Angela Garvey, Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint:-

The Rev Nigel John Cairns
Prehen
County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County Borough, his Commission bearing date the 17th day of December, 2021.


Signed: Angela Garvey

Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough

A Peculiar Tea

Still recovering from retinal surgery, with a depleting gas bubble in one eye, I decided to cycle down to the railway station and get a train to Botanic, a mere hop, skip, and jump from University Road, Belfast.

The ancient Burberry trench coat was unearthed; the trusty whangee brolly brandished.

When I alighted at Botanic station I had some time to spare, so I wandered into the Oxfam charity book-shop on Botanic Avenue (where the Arts Theatre used to be).

They invariably have a selection of vintage books, if not exactly "antiquarian."

It was approaching five o'clock, so I strode the short distance from Botanic Avenue, along LOWER CRESCENT, and on to University Road.

A Peculiar Tea is almost directly opposite Holohan's restaurant.

I recall the premises fondly as Beatrice Kennedy's, a delightful establishment which offered the most delectable wheaten bread and perhaps Mr McCarthy's signature dish, seared scallops on Clonakilty black pudding. Sublime.

I dined at BK's on my birthday in 2008.

A Peculiar Tea was established by the local and celebrated chef, Gemma Austin.

Its decor and ambiance are different from BK's, and the theme is somewhat akin to Alice in Wonderland.

I had the six-course Tasting Menu last night.

Since it was the occasion of my birthday, the staff very kindly offered me a complimentary drink, so I had a glass of Prosecco, with a juicy raspberry floating on top.

Guinea fowl, bone marrow, jus

The presentation and service were very good indeed, and, given the amount of time that must have been expended in preparing six delicious and quite exquisite courses, all the crockery and cutlery needed, it was good value at £45.

Cod, champagne sauce, capers

Guinea fowl, cod, venison, sorbet, and other delicacies were presented beautifully and with culinary craftsmanship.

I'm sure Aunt Dahlia's chef Anatole, that master of the gastronomic taste-buds, would have approved.

Venison, celeriac, etc

The final course, a minute pudding, was served with a little lighted candle on top; and I was treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday To You by staff and patrons in the dining-room.

Bantry House

THE EARLS OF BANTRY WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CORK, WITH 69,500 ACRES

The family of WHITE derives its descent from Sir Thomas White, of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, the founder of St John's College, Oxford, and brother of the  Rt Rev John White, Lord Bishop of Winchester, 1557.

Following the restoration of CHARLES II, Sir Thomas White, of Rickmansworth, settled in Ireland, where he purchased land debentures granted by CROMWELL to his army officers during the civil wars, and had a son,

RICHARD WHITE, of Bantry (who was maternally descended from the Hamiltons of Armagh), who married, in 1734, Martha, daughter of the Very Rev Roland Davis, Dean of Cork, and had issue,

SIMON, his heir;
Hamilton;
Margaret.

Mr White was succeeded by his son,

SIMON WHITE, who married, in 1760, Frances Jane, daughter of Richard Hedges, of Mount Hedges, County Cork, and predeceased his father, leaving issue,

RICHARD;
Simon;
Hamilton;
Edward;
Helen; Martha; Frances.

Mr White died in 1816, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD WHITE (1767-1851); who was presented with a gold medal by the city of Cork for his spirited exertions on the arrival of the French forces in Bantry Bay, in 1797.

Mr white was consequently raised to the peerage, in 1797, in the dignity of Baron Bantry; and advanced to a viscountcy, in 1800, as Viscount Bantry.

His lordship was further advanced, in 1816,  to the dignities of Viscount Berehaven and EARL OF BANTRY.

He married, in 1799, the Lady Margaret Anne Hare, eldest daughter of WILLIAM, 1ST EARL OF LISTOWEL, and had issue,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl;
WILLIAM HENRY HARE, 3rd Earl;
Simon;
Maria.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl (1800-68), High Sheriff of County Cork, 1835, who wedded, in 1836, the Lady Mary O'Brien, third daughter and co-heir of William, 2nd Marquess of Thomond; though dsp 1868, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

WILLIAM HENRY HARE (1801-84), 3rd Earl, who wedded, in 1845, Jane, eldest daughter of Charles John Herbert, of Muckross Abbey, County Kerry, and had issue,

WILLIAM HENRY HARE, his successor;
Elizabeth Mary Gore; Olivia Charlotte; Emily Anne; Ina Maude; Jane Frances Anna.

His lordship assumed, in 1840, the additional name of HEDGES.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM HENRY HARE, 4th Earl (1854-91), who espoused, in 1886, Rosamund Catherine, daughter of the Hon Edmund George Petre, by whom he had no issue.

His lordship died in 1891, when the titles expired.

*****

THE WHITES had settled on Whiddy Island across the Bay in the late 17th century, after having originally been merchants in Limerick.

The family prospered and considerable purchases of land were made in the area surrounding the house.

After the failure of the 1641 Irish Rising the Cromwellian soldiers were rewarded with grants of land in the Bantry area, the Earl of Anglesey receiving 96,000 acres.

Many of the settlers became disenchanted with the lonely farming life and the lands granted to Lord Anglsey and his officers were bought by a member of the White family.

The Whites engaged in farming, clearance of the forests, iron ore smelting etc and prospered.

The town of Bantry, at the head of the bay, is associated with the Irish rebellion of 1798 as being the place where an earlier attempt to land launch a rebellion was made by a French fleet, including Wolfe Tone in December 1796.

The French fleet consisting of 43 ships carrying 15,000 troops had divided mid-Atlantic into smaller groups to avoid interception by the Royal Navy with orders to reform at Bantry Bay.

The bulk of the fleet arrived successfully, but several ships, including the flagship Fraternité carrying General Hoche were delayed.

While awaiting their arrival, bad weather intervened and the lack of leadership, together with uneasiness at the prospect of being trapped, forced the decision to return to France.

Tone wrote of the expedition in his diary, saying that "We were close enough to toss a biscuit ashore".

Richard White, having heard about the invasion had trained a militia to oppose the landing as he and his tenants were loyal to the Crown.

Munitions were stored in Bantry House for safe keeping.

Look-outs were posted on Both Mizen Head and Sheep's Head to send warning of an invasion.

In the end the French armada never had a chance of landing.

The weather was too severe, and even ship to ship communication was too difficult.

Ten ships were lost.

One of these vessels, the Surveillante, remained on the bottom of Bantry bay for almost 200 years.

For his efforts in preparing the local defences against the French, Richard White, a local landowner, was created Baron Bantry in 1797.

A viscountcy followed in 1800 and, in 1816, he was created Viscount Berehaven and EARL OF BANTRY.

He was the grandson of Richard White, who had made an immense fortune through his work as a lawyer.

Lord Bantry was succeeded by his son, the 2nd Earl, who sat on the Conservative benches in the House of Lords from 1854-68.

His younger brother, the 3rd Earl, assumed in 1840 by Royal license the additional surname of Hedges, which was that of his paternal grandmother.

The titles became extinct on the death of his son, the 4th Earl, in 1891.

Egerton Shellswell-White, great-grandson of the 3rd Earl, took over the running of Bantry from his mother in about 1978.

It now comprises one hundred acres, mainly woodland.

BANTRY HOUSE (originally called 'Blackrock'), County Cork, was constructed ca 1740 on the south side of Bantry Bay.

In 1750, Councillor Richard White bought Blackrock from Samuel Hutchinson and changed its name to Seafield.

The main block of the mansion consists of a square, three-storey, five-bay house built about 1740 for the Hutchinson family.

A wing was added on one side later in the 18th century after the House was acquired by Richard White, being the same height as the original block, though only of two storeys with a curved bow at the front and rear; and a six-bay elevation at the side.

In 1845, Richard White,Viscount Berehaven and later the 2nd Earl, enlarged and remodelled Bantry House. He travelled extensively throughout Europe, building an enviable art collection.

The 2nd Earl added the long, fourteen-bay front at the opposite side of the original block to the late 18th century wing, comprising a six-bay centre of two storeys over a basement; and three-storey, four-bay bow-ended wings lined with huge Corinthian pilasters of red brick.

The House is entered through a glazed Corinthian colonnade, similar to the one on the garden front.

The Library, sixty feet long, has four scagliola columns which support the compartmented ceiling.

The Blue Dining-room (below) has life-sized portraits of GEORGE III and Queen Charlotte in sumptuous frames, presented to the 1st Earl by royal command.

The two drawing-rooms feature exquisite French tapestries from the Gobelin, Aubusson and Beauvais workshops brought to Ireland after the French Revolution by the 2nd Earl.

The Aubusson tapestries were manufactured for Marie Antoinette following her marriage to the Dauphin, later LOUIS XVI.

The gardens to Bantry House were developed by the 2nd Earl and his wife Mary.

Inspiration was taken from their travels across Europe.

The gardens contain seven terraces; the house is located on the third.

One hundred steps are located behind the house and are built to appear to rise out of a fountain and are surrounded by azaleas and rhododendron.

The gardens are constantly tended and maintained.

By 1997 the grounds of Bantry House were suffering from neglect in certain places.

A European grant was obtained to start the restoration process. Funding ceased in 2000.

Restoration work continues.

First published in April, 2011.  Bantry arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Carrigoran House

THE FITZGERALD BARONETS, OF NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 14,915 ACRES

This is a very ancient branch of the noble and illustrious race of the GERALDINES, seated at an early period at the castle of Pallas, County Limerick.

Family tradition relates that the descendant of that family and the direct ancestor of the Carrigoran Fitzgeralds was instrumental in saving the life of CHARLES I at the battle of Naseby.

Naseby House, Northamptonshire, was built by the FitzGeralds, lords of the manor of Naseby.

Of the Clare family there were two branches, the representative of one, that of Moigh Castle and Sixmilebridge, namely

COLONEL AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD, who died in 1776, having devised the reversion of his property to his kinsman, of Carrigoran.

The estate of Carrigoran was acquired by

EDWARD FITZGERALD, of Rynana, County Clare, in 1667, from Colonel Daniel O'Brien, afterwards the Viscount Clare.

His son and heir,

JOHN FITZGERALD, of Carrigoran, County Clare, married Ellinor, daughter of Pierce Butler, 2nd Viscount Ikerrin; from whom descended,

COLONEL EDWARD FITZGERALD (c1738-1814), of Carrigoran, MP for County Clare, 1776-90,  Castlebar, 1790-97, who wedded firstly, in 1762, Rachel, daughter of Standish Grady, of Elton, County Limerick.

Sir Edward was left a large estate by his kinsman, Colonel Augustine FitzGerald, of Sixmilebridge and Silvergrove.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD (c1765-1834), MP for Clare, 1808-18, Ennis, 1832, who was created a baronet in 1821, designated of Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare.

Sir Augustine espoused Elizabeth, second daughter of Thomas Barton, of Grove, County Tipperary, but died without issue, when the baronetcy devolved upon his brother,

SIR WILLIAM FITZGERALD, 2nd Baronet (c1780-1847), who espoused, in 1805, Emelia Cumming, youngest daughter of William Veale, of Trevaylor, Cornwall, and had issue,

EDWARD, his successor;
AUGUSTINE, East India Company, 4th Baronet;
William Thomas Burton;
GEORGE CUMMING, 5th Baronet;
Emilia Mary; Georgina Mary.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR EDWARD FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet (1806-65), who wedded, in 1856, Julia O'Grady, of Dublin; the marriage, however, was without issue, and he was succeeded by his brother,

SIR AUGUSTINE FITZGERALD, 4th Baronet (1809-93), who espoused firstly, in 1832, at Agra, India, Eliza Margaret Gore, and had issue, an only child, Augustine (1834-65).

Sir Augustine married secondly, in 1881, Clara Emma Whitaker.

He was succeeded by his younger brother,

SIR GEORGE CUMMING FITZGERALD, 5th Baronet (1823-1908), of Cornwall, who wedded firstly, in 1883, Emily Georgiana Cleaveland; and secondly, in 1888, Ellen Creagh FitzGerald.

Both marriages were without issue.

The title became extinct on the death of Sir George Cumming FitzGerald, 5th Baronet, in 1908.

Photo credit: Clare County Library - Bluett Collection

Carrigoran House was the seat of the FitzGerald family in the 18th and 19th centuries.

An earlier house was reputedly destroyed by fire in the late 18th century.

Carrigoran was advertised for sale in 1856.

By the 1880s, the FitzGeralds had acquired the Trevaylor estate in Cornwall.

When Clara, Lady FitzGerald, widow of the 4th Baronet, died in 1922, Carrigoran was sold to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

It was still in use in the 1940s, though was demolished in the 1980s.

Other Seats - Trevaylor, Penzance, Cornwall; Killybegs House, Naas, County Kildare.

London residence ~ 15 King Street, St James's.

First published in May, 2012.

Mayoral Rolls-Royce

Royal Ulster Constabulary Training Depot, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 1978
 (Image: David Irvine)

This stately Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was the official limousine in use by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Belfast between 1968-78.

It was purchased by Belfast Corporation for the official use of the Lord Mayor.

The traditional navy blue colour is still on the bonnet, roof and boot, though elsewhere it has been re-painted.

The bonnet's considerable length is reminiscent of a concert grand piano.

Its original registration number was 1 WZ.

Of course the Council should have kept the car and continued to use it.

It could even have been converted to run on bio-fuel.

It was sold at Bonham's relatively recently.

This car was the first Phanton VI off the production line: 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine. Coachwork by H J Mulliner, Park Ward. Registration number WVO 338G. Chassis number PRH4108. Engine number 4108. Sold for £36,700, including premium.

FOOTNOTES

The Rolls-Royce in-house coach-builder Park Ward Limited (later H J Mulliner, Park Ward) produced what was, in effect, the standard seven-passenger limousine coachwork for the Phantom V.

This timeless design would survive until 1990, being built in near-identical Phantom VI form from 1968, when separate air conditioning for front and rear compartments was standardised alongside the Silver Shadow-specification 6,230cc V8 engine.

The usual upholstery for the front compartment was leather, which was also included in the list of alternatives for the rear along with West of England cloth.

As one would expect in a car of this class, a cocktail cabinet incorporated into the rear compartment’s cabinet-work was one of a host of options that also included electric windows.

Phantom development tended to lag behind that of the contemporary Shadow range, and it was not until 1978 that the model received the three-speed automatic transmission and 6.75-litre engine that had featured on the latter for many years.

By this time the opulent Phantom VI was being built to special order only, with prices on application.

The very first Phantom VI produced, chassis number PRH 4108, was sold new to Belfast City Corporation for use by the Lord Mayor (as referenced in Martin Bennet's book, Rolls-Royce & Bentley: The Crewe Years) and was mostly maintained by the Crewe factory until sold by the Corporation in 1978.

The car enjoyed three subsequent owners before passing into the vendor's hands in 1991, and comes with numerous invoices for this period issued by recognised Rolls-Royce specialists.

Since acquisition it has been maintained by the engineer owners and used regularly on R-REC events, most notably Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2002.

Restored in the early 1990s, the vehicle is reported as being to factory specification apart from the addition of an electric radiator cooling fan.

AUCTION NOTICES

This, four previous owner car, was acquired by the current vendors in 1991 when it was then comprehensively restored underneath and new rear springs fitted.

It has since been enjoyed at many club events.

In addition to regular servicing, the car has benefited from a new radiator, brake overhaul, three new tyres, rear fog lamps and an electric radiator fan together with new front and rear bumpers.

The car comes with all MOT certificates dating back to 1977 and numerous invoices from recognised Rolls-Royce specialists.

Handbook, jack and wheel brace are all included and the cocktail cabinet is complete with decanters and glasses.

First published in August, 2012.

The White Knights

The family of FITZGIBBON, the chief of which was styled the White Knight, is descended from the FitzGeralds, progenitors of the great houses of Kildare and Desmond.

From the same origin are descended the KNIGHTS OF GLIN (the Black Knights), and the Knights of Kerry (the Green Knights).

These titles were conferred by the Earl of Desmond, as a Count Palatine, on junior branches of the House of FitzGerald, in the like manner as Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, created his inferior barons.

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, THE WHITE KNIGHT, son of GILBERT FITZJOHN, was knighted in the field by EDWARD III in 1333, immediately after the defeat of Scottish forces at the battle of Halidon Hill.

He married Katharine Bruce, and had issue,

DAVID, his successor;
Maurice.

The 1st White Knight died in 1357, and was succeeded by his elder son,

DAVID FITZGIBBON, 2nd Knight, father of

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 3rd Knight, who married Isabella Butler, and had issue,

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 4th Knight, who wedded Margaret O'Brien, and had issue,

JOHN;
MAURICE MOR.

The eldest son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 5th Knight, was father of

MAURICE MOR FITZGIBBON, 6th Knight, who wedded secondly, Ellice, daughter of William, 8th Baron Barry, and had issue,

John;
MAURICE OGE.

The 6th White Knight died in 1496, and was succeeded by his younger son,

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 7th Knight, of Michelstown, County Cork, who died in 1530, and was father of

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 8th Knight, who died in 1543, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 9th Knight, who was murdered by his cousins Thomas and Gibbon at the instigation of their half-brother,

JOHN OGE FITZGIBBON, 10th Knight, who died in 1569, and was father of

EDMOND FITZGIBBON, 11th Knight (c1552-1608), father of

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 12th and last White Knight (c1597-1611), who wedded Thomasin, daughter of Sir Thomas Browne, though the marriage was without issue.

There have been several claimants to the title.

The EARLS OF CLARE claimed to have sprung from the White Knights.

First published in May, 2019.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

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

Mr John Gerard Gordon
Whiterock
Killinchy
County Down

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County his Commission bearing date the day of 30th November 2021

Lord Lieutenant of the County.

Ballywillwill House

RICHARD McDOWELL-JOHNSTON, son of William Johnston, of Netherlaw Park, Kirkcudbright, (whose sister married Captain, subsequently Colonel, James McDowell, son of Colonel John McDowell, and Janet Ross, his wife, sister of the Countess of Stair), assumed the surname and arms of McDOWELL, in compliance with the will of his uncle, Colonel James McDowell, who bequeathed him the estates of Gillespie and Craignarget, Galloway, Dumfriesshire.

He married Jane Crooks, and had two sons,

WILLIAM, his heir;

Henry, died young.

Mr McDowell-Johnston died in 1772, and was succeeded by his son,

WILLLIAM McDOWELL-JOHNSTON, of Ballywillwill, who wedded, in 1768, Rebecca, daughter of the REV GEORGE VAUGHAN, Rector of Dromore, County Down (whose father, John Vaughan, and grandfather, George Vaughan, had been Rectors of the same place).

Mr McDowell-Johnston died in 1784, leaving a son and heir,

THE REV GEORGE HENRY McDOWELL-JOHNSTON JP, of Ballywillwill, County Down, Vicar of Donegore and Kilbride, 1814-64, who married, in 1811, the Lady Anna Maria Annesley, second daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl Annesley, which lady dsp 1835. 

Ballywillwill House (Image: UAHS)

BALLYWILLWILL HOUSE, near Castlewellan, County Down, is an elegant two-storey, five-bay house, built ca 1815, by the Rev George McDowell-Johnston.

The central upper storey and outer bays have Wyatt windows.

Ballywillwill House: Portico (Image: UAHS)

Ballywillwill has an exceptionally long portico with ten Ionic columns, urns, and a large prostrate lion on its entablature (a lion is a supporter on several Johnston coats-of-arms).

Ballywillwill House (Image: Stuart Blakley: Lavender's Blue)

Four columns in the centre protrude slightly.

Extract from UAHS Publication. Click to Enlarge.

Ballywillwill House features in the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society's publication Historic Buildings in the Mourne Area of South Down, written by the late Peter Rankin in 1975.