Vicarship

Have you wondered what the difference is between vicars and rectors?

Frankly I've been unsure myself; my trusty Nuttall's dictionary, however, explains it neatly.

Vicar; Vicarage; Vicarial; Vicarship.

Vicar: the incumbent of a parish who, not being a rector, is remunerated by a stipend, not directly by tithes.

A stipend, as if you didn't know, is an annual payment or salary.

Vicars were practically employed by landowners, lords of the manor, nobility, and gentry.

The title of Vicar is today virtually synonymous with that of Rector, though possibly some very grand ducal or noble houses still employ them in estate churches.

In the Church of Ireland, many vicarages have been united or amalgamated with rectories; for instance, the Rector of Killinchy is also today the Vicar of Kilmood (St Mary's parish church, Kilmood, County Down, was the estate church of Florida Manor, and vicars were appointed by the Gordons, lords of the manor).

The Vicar of Belfast's patron used to be Lord Donegall; whereas today the Dean of Belfast is also Vicar of Belfast.

First published in March, 2021.

Castlegar House

THE MAHON BARONETS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY GALWAY, WITH 8,619 ACRES

BRYAN MAHON, son of Bryan Mahon, land steward to the Earls of Clanricarde, Lieutenant in Lord Clanricarde's Infantry Regiment, in JAMES II's army, fought at the battle of the Boyne, 1690.

He wedded, in 1693, Ellinor, daughter of Ross Gaynor, and had issue,

James;
Peter;
ROSS, of whom hereafter;
Mary; Elizabeth; Hester; Alice; Ellinor.

Captain Mahon died in 1719.

His youngest son,

ROSS MAHON (c1696-1767), of Ahascragh and Castlegar, County Galway, married, in 1721, Jane, daughter of Christopher Ussher, and had issue,

ROSS, his heir;
John;
Alice.

Mr Mahon, who inherited most of his brothers' fortune, was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROSS MAHON (1725-88), of Castlegar, County Galway, who espoused, in 1762, the Lady Anne Browne, only daughter of John, 1st Earl of Altamont, and had issue,

ROSS, his heir;
John;
Henry (Rev);
James (Very Rev), Dean of Dromore;
George;
Anne; Harriette; Jane; Amelia.

Mr Mahon was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROSS MAHON (1763-1835), JP, MP for Granard, 1798-1800, Ennis, 1820, who wedded firstly, in 1786, the Lady Elizabeth Browne, second daughter of Peter, 2nd Earl of Altamont, and had issue, three daughters,

Charlottle; Elizabeth Louisa; Anne Charlotte.

He espoused secondly, in 1805, Diana, daughter of Edward Baber, of Park Street, Grosvenor Square, and had further issue, a daughter,

Letitia Anne.

Mr Mahon married thirdly, in 1809, Mary Geraldine, daughter of the Rt Hon James FitzGerald, of Inchicronan, County Clare, by Catherine, Baroness FitzGerald and Vesey his wife, and had further issue,

ROSS, 2nd Baronet;
JAMES FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet;
WILLIAM VESEY ROSS, 4th Baronet;
John Ross, joint founder of Guinness Mahon, 1836;
Henrietta Louisa; Georgina; Catherine Geraldine; Jane Alicia; Caroline.

Mr Mahon was created a baronet, in 1819, designated of Castlegar, County Galway.

Sir Ross was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROSS MAHON, 2nd Baronet (1811-42), ADC to the 2nd Earl de Grey, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR JAMES FITZGERALD ROSS MAHON, 3rd Baronet (1812-52), JP DL, Barrister, who died unmarried, when the title devolved upon his brother,

THE REV SIR WILLIAM VESEY ROSS MAHON, 4th Baronet (1813-93), Rector of Rawmarsh, Yorkshire, 1844-93, who wedded Jane, daughter of the Rev Henry King, and had issue,

Ross, died in infancy, 1854;
Ross (1856-76);
WILLIAM HENRY, his successor;
John;
James Vesey (Rev);
Edward;
Gilbert;
Mary; Alice.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR WILLIAM HENRY MAHON, 5th Baronet (1856-1926), DSO JP DL, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1898, Major, West Yorkshire Regiment, who espoused, in 1905, Edith Augusta, daughter of Luke, 4th Baron Clonbrock, and had issue,

William Gerald Ross (1909-10);
GEORGE EDWARD JOHN, his successor;
Luke Bryan Arthur;
Ursula Augusta Jane; Mary Edith Georgiana.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR GEORGE EDWARD JOHN MAHON, 6th Baronet (1911-87), who married firstly, in 1938, Audrey Evelyn, daughter of Walter Jagger, and had issue,

WILLIAM WALTER, his successor;
Timothy Gilbert;
Jane Evelyn.

He wedded secondly, in 1958, Suzanne, daughter of Thomas Donnellan, and had further issue,

Sarah Caroline.

Sir George was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM WALTER MAHON, 7th Baronet (1940-), LVO, Colonel, Irish Guards, Member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, who married, in 1968, Rosemary Jane, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Ernest Melvill, and has issue,

JAMES WILLIAM (b 1976);
Annabel Jane; Lucy Caroline.

CASTLEGAR HOUSE, Ahascragh, County Galway, dates from ca 1803.

It replaced two other houses in the property.

The present mansion, built for Ross Mahon, afterwards the 1st Baronet, is a square block comprising two storeys, with three at the rear, and a two-storey side elevation.

There is a curved bow in the centre of the front, with a pedimented Ionic porch.

The opulent interior is characteristic of its designer, Sir Richard Morrison.

The 5th Baronet added a service wing and back porch following his succession in 1893; thus the Doric rear hall became the new entrance hall.

Castlegar House (Image: Kellie Glynn)

The Irish Times wrote the following article about Castlegar in 1999:-

IT HAS STOOD there since 1803, exalting testimony to the taste and distinction of late Georgian architecture.

Castlegar is hidden away among 50 acres of gardens, parkland, woods and pasture outside the village of Ahascragh, in east Galway.

It is for sale by private treaty through Charles Smith, of Gunne's country homes division, who is quoting a guideline price of £1.5 million.

Originally, the estate was the home of the Mahons, gentry stock whose descendants linked with the Guinness family to form a land agency that eventually evolved into the Guinness Mahon merchant bank.

Sir Ross Mahon commissioned architect Richard Morrison to plan alterations to a rambling old house that existed there previously.

Rather than remodelling it, Morrison designed an entirely new building which took several years to complete.

Since 1992, Castlegar has been owned by a Frenchman with a passion for restoring old houses to their original splendour and who has spent hundreds of thousands on refurbishing it.

He is now selling it as he is unable to spend enough time there because of commitments in Paris, the US and Canada.

He is leaving one of the finest Georgian country homes in Ireland, restored with consummate care to the pristine state of its early days.

The marvel of the restoration work lies in the fact that while it has uncovered the innate beauty of the house as it was first conceived, it also has added all the appurtenances of modern living.


Castlegar has been described as the grandest of Morrison's "villas", the word villa being used in its original meaning of a country residence.

The house combines resplendent reception rooms with exceptionally comfortable family accommodation in an ambience of relaxed old-fashioned elegance.

In addition to the staff accommodation, there are six bedrooms, each with a fireplace and its own bathroom, and all providing views across the rolling plains of east Galway.

Oddly, the house has two entrances, one on the north side, the other on the south.

The south entrance, no longer used as such, opens into an oval hall with a magnificent ceiling adorned with classic floral friezes, a white marble mantelpiece, and columns flanking recessed doors that lead to the drawing-room on one side and a morning-room on the other.

Two other doors open on to the top-lit central stair hall, an elegant space where the Portland stone staircase has a simple, wrought iron balustrade and ascends to an imposing domed landing.

The oval hall, the huge drawing-room and the dining-room were radically decorated at the turn of the century with commendable taste and the present owner has attentively preserved and enhanced the adornments.

The drawing-room, which has a polished, pitch pine floor, is graced by a striking period mantelpiece with an Adam-style grate.

Classic Victorian-style predominates in the dining-room where there's a high fretted ceiling, a carved oak mantelpiece and heavy oak shutters.

A spacious billiards-room-cum-library, with a large, hand-crafted oak mantelpiece, and a beautifully appointed study are other impressive features of Castlegar.

In addition to the six bedrooms on the first floor, there is another spacious drawing-room looking across a fountain and lawns to the south.

The staff quarters are located on the second floor.

There are a further two bedrooms here as well as a kitchen, sitting-room and bathroom.

Walled gardens, a stable complex and a hard surface tennis court are spread out over several acres close to the house.

The outbuildings include a beautiful lofted cut-stone coach-house, along with four garages and three stables, plus a stable-yard that has seven loose boxes, a tack room and a further spread of farm buildings.

Beneath the house is a vaulted basement, dry and airy, with six rooms, a boiler space and a wine cellar.

I'm seeking current images of Castlegar House.

Baronscourt Shoot

DARREN CRUSH OF THE SHOOTING GAZETTE MAGAZINE WROTE AN ARTICLE IN 2011 ABOUT GAME-SHOOTING AT BARONSCOURT COUNTY TYRONE, SEAT OF THE DUKE OF ABERCORN

NORTHERN IRELAND may not have as many opportunities for game shooting as elsewhere in the British Isles, but in Baronscourt it certainly has one of the most beautiful. 

Situated in a valley at the base of the Sperrin Mountains, Baronscourt estate, all 15,000 acres of it, is something of a sporting paradise. 

Not only does it cater for those in pursuit of sporting pheasants, it can also satisfy the appetite of both the deerstalker and river angler.

Combine this with a main house as majestic on the outside as it is within and you’ve pretty much met the needs of any avid sportsman. 

On the morning of the shoot I was greeted with snow and bright sun.

Saddled up and ready to go after breakfast, I made my way along the remaining eight miles from my hotel to the estate.

The scenery just got better and better as I weaved through the country lanes. 

After passing through the main gates I was met by a beater who pointed me towards the main house, and soon after I grabbed a glimpse of the impressive Clock Tower and Governor’s Lodge - a building that is part of the estate’s stable yard and which dates back to 1890. 

I soon arrived at Barons Court - the main house and seat of the Duke of Abercorn’s family since 1610 - to be met by my host Jamie, Marquess of Hamilton.

I was introduced to the rest of the guns before grabbing an opportunity to speak with Jamie about the shoot as everyone finished their breakfast. 

“There has been game shooting at Baronscourt since the mid-1800s,” said Jamie. “It is something we have always nurtured under our own management.

This includes retaining, as best as possible, our own bloodline of pheasant. 

We’re very lucky in terms of the topography, which really lends itself to sporting birds.

Sammy Pollock, our head-keeper, is assisted by his son, Stephen, and daughter, Jeanette, as well as a wealth of other locals who help on shoot days. 

“Sport at Baronscourt is all about balance and this includes the number of game shooting days that are put on.

In order to protect our stocks we don’t overshoot the land, and each season we will establish how many shoot days we should have so as not to upset this balance. 

There are three types of game shooting on the estate; client days, family days, local syndicate days and walked-up days.

The shoot is mainly run for the family but we feel in order to make full use of the land, and also generate extra income to pump back into the shoot, it is wise to let out days.

We have one group of guns that come here six times a year for walked-up game shooting.

Conservation is also very much to the fore.

Every decision is carefully thought out in terms of the impact it will have and the benefits that can be drawn from it. 

And this is not only in terms of game shooting - a Laurent Perrier Award for wild game conservation in relation to the management of our wild herd of Japanese sika, and the Royal Forestry Society’s Duke of Cornwall Award highlights this. 

All of Baroncourt’s days are managed by Jamie - a personal and knowledgeable touch which ensures everything runs smoothly. 

The estate is fortunate to offer a variety of game for its discerning clients. 

“We are very lucky to have a number of woodcock on the estate and have devised drives whereby the guns and beaters can actually walk together along custom-made tracks cut through coniferous woods in pursuit of this sporting bird,” said Jamie. 

“Moderation, again, is the key here and we organise days according to the potential number of woodcock in the area.” 

A call to the By-turn, the first drive, marked the end of our conversation, and it was then to the gun-bus - a fine specimen adorned on the inside with framed photographs of previous shoots and family members from years gone by. 

Driven along by helper Robert Freeborn we soon found ourselves in a snow-strewn landscape.

I found myself behind Lord Iveagh from the Elveden estate.

Resplendent in his family’s Guinness tie, it wasn’t long before he was sampling some of Baronscourt’s best. 

As snow clouds loomed in the distance, pheasants took flight over the line of guns, their rich colours, reflected by a glowing winter sun were stark against a darkened sky. 

They came in a steady trickle and the drive lasted long enough for each gun to get a good share of the sport. 

Elevenses in a log cabin followed McKelvey’s Kale - a very scenic drive that backed onto one of the estate’s three lakes and the main house.

The team tucked in to sausage rolls, soup and a nip of sloe gin around the warmth of a log fire.

Once suitably fortified it was on to the Spinney. 

With the guns lined out in front of tall, coniferous woodland it didn’t take an expert to realise more testing birds were on their way. 

Sure enough, high bird after high bird powered up over the guns and with the bright sun burning in the sky, only a few were deterred from lifting to a sporting height. 

With lunch looming, there was a treat in store for the guns - a duck drive.

Not only was it a great way to end the morning’s game shooting, it provided uninterrupted sport as the birds lifted in a frenzy of flight.

The guns enjoyed a good half an hour of sport and bagged 110 head. 

Over lunch I bent the ear of head-keeper Sammy Pollock: “I’ve worked on this estate for 35 years,” he told me.

“I started off in the estate’s forestry department before a position came up to join the shoot. 

I had always had an interest in game shooting so to become an under-keeper was a chance that I really wanted to take. 

Bob Godfrey was the head-keeper at the time, so I worked under him for a number of years before working under his successor, Trevor Miskelly.

Then I was made head-keeper 19 years ago and have been so ever since.” Son and daughter Stephen and Jeanette joined Sammy when they left school. 

And, apart from enjoying everything ‘outdoors’, Jeanette also has an interest in water colour painting, something she does on commission.

And Sammy even has his other son, David, and David’s son, Adam, helping out on shoot days too. 

For Sammy and his team, conservation, as with Jamie, Lord Hamilton, is key, and he realises that for game shooting to work it has to be carried out in conjunction with managing the land correctly. 

Echoing Jamie’s comments Sammy said: “It’s all about conservation, it has to be.”

“Take the woodcock for example, we have created special game shooting conditions for them that hasn’t been detrimental to the woodland. “

“Combine that with the fact we don’t overshoot them, and you see how we’re trying to create a decent environment for them.”

“I think we’ve got it just about right here.”

“We’ve been working on it for the past 20-odd years and everything seems to be going well.” 

A working estate that is conducive to the surrounding land and community certainly seems in evidence here, and a lot of the game goes back in to the rural community too. 

“Making good use of game is paramount on the estate,” said Jamie.

“As well as supplying the local trade we also supply restaurants in Belfast and Dublin.”

“The estate also has a EU approved game processing facility, one of only two in Northern Ireland, where we can prepare oven-ready birds.”

“Full game preparation is now very much of the business and this also includes venison - approximately 250 head of venison were prepared at the last count.”

“Some of this produce makes its way to our cookery school at Belle Isle.” 

We closed the day with Ramps.

With the stunning house in the background, the guns saw good birds before retiring for a cup of tea, and for those staying the night, something a little bit stronger. 

For me, it was a trip back to the airport and a head full of memories from a great day.

First published in June, 2011. 

The Hanmer Baronets

THE HANMER BARONETS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN FLINTSHIRE, WITH 7,318 ACRES

This family is of great antiquity in Flintshire. By a deed still extant, David de Hampton granted to John de Hanmere the Fenns Wood, Flintshire, in 1198, during the reign of RICHARD I. The descendant of this JOHN DE HANMERE, in the female line, marrying in the reign of HENRY III, Sir Thomas de Macclesfield, their son assumed the name of HANMER from the family and estate of his mother; and from this marriage the male descent of the Hanmers is unbroken to the present day.

Sir Thomas de Macclesfield was succeeded by his son,

JOHN DE HANMERE, knighted by EDWARD I, and in his reign Constable of Carnarvon Castle.

His great-grandson, Sir Jenkin Hanmer, joined Owen Glendower (who had married his sister Margaret) in his rebellion against HENRY IV, and was slain at the battle of Shewsbury in 1403.

The family line passed uninterruptedly until we come to

SIR THOMAS HANMER, MP for Flintshire, 1593, one of the Council of the President of the Welsh Marches.

He also attended the Earl of Derby into France with the ensigns of the Garter to HENRY III from ELIZABETH I; and was himself knighted by JAMES I in 1603.

He married firstly, in 1585, Anne, daughter of Sir John Talbot, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;

Catherine.

He wedded secondly, Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Mostyn, and had further issue,

Thomas; Roger.

Sir Thomas died ca 1619, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN HANMER (c1590-1624), MP for Flintshire, who espoused Dorothy, daughter of Sir Richard Trevor, and had issue,

John;

David;

THOMAS, of whom hereafter;

Mary; Katherine.

Sir John was created a baronet in 1620, designated of Hanmer, Flintshire.

He was succeeded by his youngest son,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 2nd Baronet (1612-78), MP for Flintshire, 1640-78, Cupbearer to CHARLES I, in whose cause he raised, during the civil war, two troops of horse.

Sir Thomas was to have been one of the Knights of the Royal Oak had the institution of that order actually taken place.

He espoused firstly, in 1631, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Baker, of Whittingham Hall, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;

Trevor.

Sir Thomas wedded secondly, Susan, daughter of Sir William Hervey, of Ickworth, Suffolk, and had further issue,

William, father of the 4th Baronet;

Thomas;

Thomasin.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet, of Hanmer Hall, Flintshire, and Whittingham Hall, Suffolk, MP for Flintshire, and colonel of a regiment under WILLIAM III at the battle of the Boyne.

Sir John attained the rank of Major-General in the army.

He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Alston, and had issue, an only daughter, Mary.

Sir John was killed in a duel, in 1701, when the title devolved upon his nephew,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 4th Baronet (1677-1746), of Pall Mall, Westminster, Bettisfield Park, Flintshire, and Mildenhall, Suffolk, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, 1712.

Sir Thomas married twice; the marriages, however, were without issue, when the baronetcy expired; and the estate of Hanmer devolved, by settlement, upon his kinsman,

WALDEN HANMER (1717-83), only son of Job Hanmer, who was created a baronet in 1774, designated of Hanmer, Flintshire.

Sir Walden, fifteenth in descent from Sir John de Hanmere, Governor of Carnarvon Castle, wedded, in 1783, Anne, youngest daughter and co-heir of Henry Vere Graham, of Holbrook Hall, Suffolk, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;

Job;

Graham;

Edward;

Walden Henry;

Anne.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS HANMER, 2nd Baronet (1747-1828), who wedded, in 1779, Margaret, daughter of George Kenyon, of Peel, Lancashire, and had issue,

THOMAS, father of SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet, cr Baron Hanmer;

Job;

John;

George Edward;

Henry;

William;

Margaret.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his grandson,

SIR JOHN HANMER, 3rd Baronet (1809-81), MP, High Sheriff of Flintshire, 1832, who espoused, in 1833, Georgiana, youngest daughter of Sir George Chetwynd Bt, of Grendon Hall, Warwickshire.

Sir John was elevated to the peerage, in 1872, in the dignity of BARON HANMER, of Hanmer, and of Flint, Flintshire.

His lordship died without issue, when the barony expired; the baronetcy, however, devolved upon his brother,

SIR WYNDHAM EDWARD HANMER, 4th Baronet (1810-87).

• Sir Edward John Henry Hanmer, 5th Baronet (1843–1893)
• Sir Wyndham Charles Henry Hanmer, 6th Baronet (1867–1922)
• Sir (Griffin Wyndham) Edward Hanmer, 7th Baronet (1893–1977)
• Sir John Wyndham Edward Hanmer, 8th Baronet (1928–2008)
• Sir Wyndham Richard Guy Hanmer, 9th Baronet (born 1955)

Bettisfield Hall (Image: Shropshire Star)

BETTISFIELD PARK, the former seat of the Hanmer family, is at least of 16th century origin.

It was depicted by Moses Griffith in the 18th century with a symmetrical south front.

The east front was similar, and additional ranges on the west elevation would indicate that it already had a courtyard plan before major extension in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

A new south front was built in the late 18th century, incorporating part of the 16th century house.

In the mid-19th century there were further additions on the east side, including an Italianate tower of the 1840s and a Tudor-style tower with French pavilion roof, plus additions to the north-west elevation.

Demolition of parts of the house began after 1945, mainly comprising the mid 19th century additions and the 16th century portion of the east front.

In 1989 Bettisfield it was sold by the Hanmer family.

In 1989-93 the 18th century section of the house was restored by Cornelia Bayley.

The surviving portion of Bettisfield Park is a substantial Georgian country house of two storeys over a basement, of scribed render over an ashlar plinth, hipped slate roofs behind low parapets on moulded cornices, and brick stacks.

First published in February, 2021.

Princess Royal in NI

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, has received Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in Ballycastle. 

HRH, Patron, Save the Children, visited the store on Ann Street to mark its tenth anniversary.

The High Sheriff of County Antrim, Mr Peter Mackie DL, was also in attendance.

Later Her Royal Highness visited Alexandra Dock, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, officially to reopen the maritime tourist attraction, HMS Caroline.

Abbotstown House

THE BARONS HOLMPATRICK WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 3,647 ACRES

JOHN HAMILTON  (1576-1639), of Coronary, County Cavan, and Hamiltonsbawn, County Armagh, next brother of James Hamilton, created Viscount Claneboye, married, in 1617, Sarah, daughter of Anthony Brabazon, Governor of Connaught, and brother to Edward, Lord Ardee, father of William, 1st Earl of Meath, and had issue,

Hans, Rt Hon Sir, Baronet, MP;
JAMES, of whom we treat;
Francis, of Tullabrack, County Armagh;
Mary.

Mr Hamilton's second son,

JAMES HAMILTON, of Bailieborough, born ca 1610, espoused in 1639, Jane, daughter of the Rt Rev William Bailie, and had issue,

HENRY;
Hans.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his elder son,

HENRY HAMILTON, of Bailieborough, County Cavan, who wedded, before 1685, Rebecca Blackwell, and had issue,

John;
JAMES;
Mary.

Mr Hamilton was killed at Limerick, 1691, and was succeeded by his surviving son,

JAMES HAMILTON (1685-1771), of Bailieborough, County Cavan, MP for Newry, 1723-7, Carlow Borough, 1727-60, who married Anne Hall, and had, with other issue,

Hans;
John;
JAMES.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his surviving son,

JAMES HAMILTON (1727-1800), of Sheepshill, Abbotstown, and HolmPatrick, Deputy Protonotary of the Court of King's Bench, who married thrice.

The eldest son by his first marriage,

HANS HAMILTON (1758-1822), of Sheephill and Holmpatrick, County Dublin, Captain, 5th Dragoons, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1803, MP for County Dublin, 1798-1800, espoused firstly, in 1787, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Lynam, and had issue,

Sarah;
Jane.

He married secondly, Anne, daughter of Hugh Henry Mitchell, and had further issue,

JAMES HANS, his heir;
Frances Caroline; Harriette Augusta.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his only son,

JAMES HANS HAMILTON JP DL (1810-63), High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1832, MP for County Dublin, 1841-63, who wedded, in 1833, Caroline, daughter of John Frederick Trant, and had issue,

Hans James (1835-62);
ION TRANT, his successor.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his surviving son,

THE RT HON ION TRANT HAMILTON JP DL (1839-98), MP for County Dublin, 1863-85, Lord-Lieutenant for County Dublin, 1892-98, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1897, in the dignity of BARON HOLMPATRICK, of Holmpatrick, County Dublin.

His lordship married, in 1877, Victoria Alexandrina, daughter of Major-General Lord Charles Wellesley, and granddaughter of Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington, and had issue,

HANS WELLESLEY, his successor;
Winifred; Margaret Augusta; Georgina; Sybil Evelyn; Clare.

• Hans Wellesley Hamilton, 2nd Baron HolmPatrick DSO MC DL (1886–1942)
• James Hans Hamilton, 3rd Baron HolmPatrick (1928–1991)
• Hans James David Hamilton, 4th Baron HolmPatrick (1955–2024)
• Ion Henry James Hamilton, 5th Baron HolmPatrick (born 1956)

The heir presumptive is his nephew, Ross Andrew James Hamilton (born 1990).

ABBOTSTOWN HOUSE, Castleknock, County Dublin, is a two-storey house, extended at various times, though mainly early to mid-19th century.

It has a five-bay entrance front, the central bay breaking forward with a triple window above a projecting, pilastered porch.

There is a similar side elevation, with a single-storey, pillared bow in lieu of a porch; elongated by a full-height curved bow.

Abbotstown House remained the seat of the HolmPatricks until 1947, when the 3rd Baron lost part of his lands under a Compulsory Purchase Order to allow for the building of a Hospital.

Later, Lord HolmPatrick sold remaining lands at Abbotstown to the Marine Institute of Ireland, which was located at Abbotstown House until 2005, when the house was acquired for Sports Campus Ireland.

In the late 1990s, half of the lands under the ownership of the local health board were sold for development in order to finance the redevelopment of the hospital buildings.

The Holmpatricks owned a further 2,245 acres in the Queen's County, 751 acres in County Down, and 246 acres in County Meath.

First published in December, 2012.

Meenglass House

THE VISCOUNTS LIFFORD OWNED 11,000 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL 

THE RT HON JAMES HEWITT (1715-89), having attained great eminence at the English bar, and filled successively the offices of King's First Sergeant and judge of the Court of King's Bench, was appointed, in 1767, LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND, and elevated to the peerage, in 1768, in the dignity of Baron Lifford, of Lifford, County Donegal.

His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1781, as VISCOUNT LIFFORD.

He married firstly, in 1749,  Mary, only daughter and co-heiress of the Venerable Dr Rice Williams, Archdeacon of Carmarthen, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
William Williams;
Joseph, a judge;
John, in holy orders.

His lordship wedded secondly, Ambrosia, daughter of the Rev Charles Bayley, of Knavestock, in Essex, and by that lady had George, Ambrosia, and Elizabeth, all who died unmarried.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE VERY REV JAMES, 2nd Viscount (1751-1830), Dean of Armagh, who wedded firstly, in 1776, Henrietta Judith, eldest daughter of Arthur, 1st Viscount Harberton, but by that lady had no issue.

He espoused secondly, in 1781, Alicia, eldest daughter of the Ven John Oliver, Archdeacon of Ardagh, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
John Pratt, in holy orders.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES, 3rd Viscount (1783-1855), who married, in 1809, Mary Anne Maria, 8th daughter of Cornwallis, 1st Viscount Hawarden, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
John James;
Alicia Anne; Susan; Anne Georgiana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES, 4th Viscount (1811-87), DL, who espoused, in 1835, the Lady Mary Acheson, eldest daughter of Archibald, 2nd Earl of Gosford, and had numerous issue, including

JAMES WILFRED, his successor;
Evelyn John;
Archibald Robert, succeeded his brother;
Mary Anne.

ARCHIBALD ROBERT,  6th Viscount (1844-1925), Captain, Royal Navy.

His son,

EVELYN JAMES, 7th Viscount (1880-1954), DSO, fought in both the Second Boer War and the First World War.

He was succeeded by his cousin,

ALAN WILLIAM WINGFIELD, 8th Viscount, son of the Hon George Wyldbore Hewitt, seventh son of the 4th Viscount.

As of 2010 the titles are held by his son, Edward James Wingfield, 9th Viscount (b 1949).

MEENGLASS HOUSE, sometimes spelt Meenglas, near Stranorlar, County Donegal, was a Victorian house in a simple Tudor-Revival style with steep roofs and gables; mullioned windows, relatively small for the size of the house.

It had a three-sided bow; and a dormer window with tracery; a slender, square turret at the junction of the main block and service wing, with a sprocketed pyramidal roof.

The 1st Viscount resided at Santry House, Dublin, for a period.

First published in May, 2013.  

Castle Martyr

THE EARLS OF SHANNON OWNED 11,232 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CORK

This is a branch of the noble house of BOYLE, Earls of Cork and Orrery, springing from THE HON HENRY BOYLE (1682-1764), second son of Roger, 1st Earl of Orrery, whose son, by the Lady Mary O'Brien, daughter of Murrough, 1st Earl of Inchiquin, HENRY BOYLE, of Castle Martyr, being sworn of the Privy Council in Ireland, filled some of the highest political offices in that kingdom (Speaker of the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Justice etc).

Mr Boyle was elevated to the peerage, in 1756, in the dignities of Baron Castle Martyr, Viscount Boyle, and EARL OF SHANNON.

His lordship married firstly, in 1715, Catherine, daughter of Chidley Coote, of Killester, by whom he had no issue; and secondly, in 1726, the Lady Henrietta Boyle, youngest daughter of Charles, 3rd Earl of Cork, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Henry;
William;
Charles;
Robert;
Juliana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl (1728-1807), KP, PC, who, having filled some high political offices, and being sworn of the Privy Council, was enrolled amongst the peers of Great Britain, in 1786, as Baron Carleton, of Carleton, Yorkshire.

His lordship was a Knight Founder of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, 1783.

He wedded, in 1763, Catherine, eldest daughter of Mr Speaker Ponsonby, of the Irish house of commons, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Catherine Henrietta.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

HENRY, 3rd Earl (1771-1842), KP, PC, who espoused, in 1798, Sarah, fourth daughter of John Hyde, of Castle Hyde, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Henry Charles;
Robert Francis;
Catherine; Sarah; Louisa Grace; Jane; Elizabeth; Charlotte Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

• Richard Boyle, 4th Earl (1809–68);

• Henry Bentinck Boyle, 5th Earl (1833–90)

• Richard Henry Boyle, 6th Earl (1860–1906);

• Richard Bernard Boyle, 7th Earl (1897–1917);

• Robert Henry Boyle, 8th Earl (1900–63);

• Richard Bentinck Boyle, 9th Earl (1924–2013);

• Richard Henry John Boyle, 10th Earl (b 1960).

The heir presumptive is the present holder's second cousin, Robert Francis Boyle.

CASTLE MARTYR, County Cork, was built in the early 18th century by Henry Boyle, Speaker of the Irish house of commons, afterwards 1st Earl of Shannon.

The house was substantially enlarged by the 2nd Earl between 1764-71; and further re-modelled in the late Georgian period.

The entrance front is of two storeys and seventeen bays, comprising a five-bay recessed centre and giant pedimented portico between projecting wings.

The entrance front of the house overlooks a sheet of water which is part of the remarkable artificial river made before 1750 by the 1st Earl.

Castle Martyr was sold early in the 20th century to the Arnott family; then became a Carmelite college.

It now forms the nucleus of a luxury hotel resort.

Former town residence ~ 7 Connaught Place, London.

First published in July, 2013. 

Dublin Castle: 1783

George, 1st Marquess of Buckingham KG KP,
Founder of the Order of St Patrick

THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF SAINT PATRICK WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1783 DURING THE REIGN OF GEORGE III.

THE FOLLOWING ENTRY APPEARED IN THE COURT CIRCULAR OF THE TIME:-

St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle (Image: Robert J Welch)

DUBLIN CASTLE, MARCH 11th, 1783

St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, 2014

THIS Day having been appointed by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant for the Investiture of the Knights of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, the Noblemen named in His Majesty's Letter to be Knights Companions of the Order were summoned to attend, in order to be invested with the Ensigns of that Dignity previous to their Installation; and being assembled in the Presence Chamber, a Procession was made from thence to the Great Ball Room, viz.

Pursuivants and Officers attending the State

Peers named in The King's Letter, viz. Earls:

Bective, and Charlemont.

Courtown, and Mornington.

Clanbrassil, and Shannon.

Tyrone, and Drogheda.

Inchiquin, and Westmeath.

Earl of Clanricarde, and Duke of Leinster

Officers of His Excellency's Household, viz.

Pages

Gentleman at large

Gentleman of the Chamber

Master of the Ceremonies

Gentleman of the House

Comptroller and Steward of the Household

Officers of the Order, viz.

Pursuivants.

Heralds.

Register, and Usher.

Secretary, and Genealogist

Chancellor

Usher King-at-Arms bearing His Majesty's Commission,

and the Badge and Riband of the Grand Master upon a Blue Velvet Cushion

Lord Viscount Carhampton, bearing the Sword of State

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant with Ten Aides de Camp, Five on each Side

Gold Stick

Yeomen of the Guard

First published in June, 2014.  I am grateful to The Gazette for assistance.

Dromoland Castle

THE BARONS INCHIQUIN WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 20,321 ACRES

This very ancient family claims royal descent, and deduces its pedigree from the celebrated Irish monarch, Brian Boru, who ascended the throne in 1002, and fell at the memorable battle of Clontarf, in 1014.

From this prince descended the Kings of Thomond; of which TURLOGH, King of Munster and principal High King of Ireland, had, with other issue, Dermot, King of Munster, from whom descended, in 1528, CONNOR O'BRIEN, King of Thomond, who married Anabella, youngest daughter of Ulick De Burgh, 1st Earl of Clanricarde, by whom he left four sons, in minority, at his decease, when the principality was usurped by his brother,

MURROUGH O'BRIEN, who, repairing to England by the advice of the Lord Deputy of Ireland, in 1543, surrendered his royalty to HENRY VIII, and was, in recompense, created Earl of Thomond for life, and BARON INCHIQUIN to his own heirs male.

His lordship wedded Eleanor, daughter of Sir Thomas FitzGerald, Knight, and dying in 1551, left issue,

DERMOT, his successor;
Teige.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

DERMOT, 2nd Baron, who espoused Margaret, daughter of Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond.

He died in 1557, and was succeeded by his son,

MURROUGH McDERMOT, 3rd Baron (c1550-73), who wedded Mabel, daughter of Christopher, 6th Baron Delvin, and had issue,

MURROUGH, his successor;
Slaney.

His lordship was slain by Dermot Reagh O'Shaughnessy in 1573, and was succeeded by his son,

MURROUGH, 4th Baron (1562-97), who wedded Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Cusack, LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND.

His lordship fell from his horse and drowned, in 1597, when fording the River Erne, near Sligo, during the Nine Years War.

He was succeeded by his son,

DERMOT, 5th Baron (1594-1624), who wedded Ellen, eldest daughter of Sir Edmund FitzJohn FitzGerald, and had issue,

Henry;
Christopher;
MURROUGH, of whom we treat;
Honora; Mary; Ann.

His lordship was succeeded by his youngest son,

MURROUGH (1618-74), 6th Baron, who was created, in 1654, EARL OF INCHIQUN.

Murrough, 1st Earl of Inchiquin (Image: Manchester Art Gallery)

MURROUGH (1726-1808), 10th Baron, was created, in 1808, MARQUESS OF THOMOND.

• Murrough O'Brien, 1st Marquess and 10th Baron (1726–1808)
• William O'Brien, 2nd Marquess and 11th Baron (1765–1846)
• James O'Brien, 3rd Marquess and 12th Baron (1768–1855)

Barons Inchiquin (1543; Reverted)

• Lucius O'Brien, 13th Baron (1800–72)
• Edward Donough O'Brien, 14th Baron (1839–1900)
• Lucius William O'Brien, 15th Baron (1864–1929)
• Donough Edward Foster O'Brien, 16th Baron (1897–1968)
• Pádraig Lucius Ambrose O'Brien, 17th Baron (1900–82)
• Conor Myles John O'Brien, 18th Baron (1943-2023) 

The 18th Baron's second cousin, Conor John Anthony O'Brien (born 1952), is the present 19th Baron.

DROMOLAND CASTLE, Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, is considered one of the finest examples of a baronial style castle in Ireland.

According to history, the original castle on the site is said to have dated back to the 11th century, and was more rustic in nature than the existing castle of today, similar in style to Bunratty castle.

Like other castles of the times, it served as a defensive stronghold.

From the time of Morrough O’Brien (the original owner of Dromoland) until the 16th Baron Inchiquin - who still owned the castle in the 1960s - the Inchiquins lived at Dromoland for more than 500 years.

In 1736, a second castle was built in the design of the Queen Anne period with a wing enclosing a central courtyard.

This wing of the castle remains today and is almost a century older than the other sections of the castle.

The present castle was completed in 1826 by the 4th O'Brien Baronet in Gothic style, with four large towers made of a dark blue limestone that was cut from a nearby quarry, and built at great expense for the times.

The Castle is dominated by a tall, round corner tower and a square tower, both of heavily crenellated. There are also smaller towers and a turreted porch.

The windows on the main fronts are rectangular with Gothic tracery.

Inside, a square entrance hall opens into a long, inner hall similar to a gallery, the staircase being at one end; while the main reception rooms are at one side of it.

The rooms have quite austere ceilings with Gothic Tudor-Revival cornices.

The drawing-room was formerly called the Keightley Room since it contained many of the 17th century portraits which were acquired by the O'Brien family through the marriage of Lucius O'Brien MP to Catherine Keightley (whose grandfather was the Earl of Clarendon).

Part of the 18th century garden layout survives, including a gazebo and Doric rotunda.

During the latter portion of the 19th century, the Inchiquin family wealth dwindled due to a series of Land Acts, until Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom in 1921.

Landlords during this time were forced to sell their farmlands, and so the Inchiquins lost their main source of income.

However, they were able to still hold onto Dromoland.

Although the loss of income suffered by the Inchiquins made the Castle difficult to keep, they managed to do so, and the castle was maintained by the personal wealth of the 15th Baron's wife, and afterwards her son, the 16th Baron, until 1948, when they began to take in tourists as paying guests.

Finally, in 1962, the Castle was sold to an American industrialist, Bernard McDonough, whose family were of Irish descent.

Over a period of six months, the castle underwent major renovations and was eventually re-opened as a luxury hotel.

The original style and atmosphere of the castle are said to have been preserved, and the rooms including its stately, baronial country house atmosphere “look very much today, like they did when the Inchiquin family lived there... "

The original wing is very elegant inside: Guests enter into a two-storey stone lobby (made from the dark blue limestone) that is complete with suits of armour, a large dark wood carved table, elegant rose tapestry covered chairs, and dark red drapes.

On one side, a stone passage and hallway lead to the large, main drawing room of the castle.

The hallway and drawing-room have a high ceiling, deep red and gold wallpapered walls, and is lined with baronial portraits of the barons and former members of the Inchiquin family.

It is said that O'Brien family portraits (on loan) remain on display at the Castle today.

First published in April, 2011.