Fort William House

THE GUMBLETONS OWNED 4,741 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CORK
AND 2,239 ACRES IN COUNTY WATERFORD

The name GUMBLETON (also written as Gomeldon, Gumbelton and Gambleton) originates from Gomeldon, Wiltshire. The Irish branch is supposed to have come from Kent, but the period of its settlement in Ireland is unknown. Ballygarran Castle and Manor, beautifully situated on the River Blackwater, near Lismore, County Waterford, were purchased about 1695 by RICHARD GUMBLETON.

RICHARD GUMBLETON, of Castle Richard, otherwise Ballygarran, County Waterford, High Sheriff of County Waterford, 1732, married, in 1704, Anne Crook, daughter of Wallis Warren (ancestor of Sir Augustus Warren Bt, of Warren's Court), and had issue,

RICHARD JOSEPH, his heir;
Anne; Elizabeth; Susanna; Mary.

Mr Gumbleton died in 1757, and was succeeded by his only son,

RICHARD JOSEPH GUMBLETON (1721-76), of Castle Richard, High Sheriff of County Waterford, 1772, who wedded, in 1743, Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Conner, of Bandon, and sister of William Conner, MP for Bandon, 1761-66, and had issue,

WILLIAM CONNER, his heir;
Henry Conner;
Richard, of Castle Richard;
George Conner;
ROBERT WARREN, succeeded his brother;
Anne; Susanna; Catherine; Sarah; Jane; Mary; Elizabeth.

The eldest son,

WILLIAM CONNER GUMBLETON (1750-1815), died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

ROBERT WARREN GUMBLETON (c1753-1834), of Glanatore, County Cork, who espoused, in 1787, Margaret, daughter of John Bowen, of Oakgrove, County Cork, and had issue,

Richard, his heir;
Robert, dsp;
JOHN BOWEN, of whom we treat;
George (Rev), of Belgrove; father of WILLIAM EDWARD GUMBLETON;
Diana; Margaret; Mary Anne; Frances Lavinia; Catherine; Jane; Eliza.

The third son,

JOHN BOWEN GUMBLETON (1796-1858), of Fort William, County Waterford, High Sheriff of County Waterford, 1845, married Ann, daughter of Henry Everard, and had issue,

Robert, dsp;
Henry Everard, died in infancy;
John Henry, died at sea; dsp;
Richard, died in infancy;
Mary; Margaret; Anne; Meliora;
FRANCES, of whom hereafter.

The youngest daughter,

MISS FRANCES GUMBLETON (1837-1914), was the last of the family to live at Fort William House.

FORT WILLIAM HOUSE, Glencairn, Lismore, County Waterford, was built in 1836 in the Tudor-Revival style.

About 1695 the Gumbleton family purchased the estate, beside the River Blackwater, a few miles upstream from Lismore.

William Conner Gumbleton inherited a portion of the estate and built a house named Fort William, following the example of his cousin, Robert Conner, who had called his house Fort Robert.

The estate passed to his nephew, John Bowen Gumbleton, who commissioned a new house by James and George Richard Pain, former apprentices of John Nash with a thriving architectural practice in Cork.

The present house is a regular building of two storeys in local sandstone with an abundance of gables, pinnacles and tall Elizabethan chimneys.

The interior is largely late-Georgian in style and Fort William is essentially a classical Georgian house with a profusion of mildly Gothic details.

Mr Gumbleton’s son, John Henry Gumbleton, died at sea, and his daughter Frances eventually leased the house to Colonel Richard Keane, brother of Sir John Keane from nearby Cappoquin House.

The Colonel was much annoyed when his car, reputedly fitted with a well-stocked cocktail cabinet, was commandeered by the IRA so he permitted Free State troops to occupy the servants’ wing at Fort William during the Irish Civil War, which may have influenced the terrorists' decision to burn his brother’s house in 1923.

Colonel Keane died in a shooting accident, the estate reverted to Frances Gumbleton’s nephew, John Currey, and was sold to a Mr Dunne who continued the tradition of letting the house.

His most notable tenant was Adele Astaire, sister of the famous dancer and film star Fred Astaire, who became the wife of Lord Charles Cavendish from nearby Lismore Castle.

In 1944 the Gumbleton family re-purchased Fort William but resold for £10,000 after just two years.

The new owner was Hugh, 2nd Duke of Westminster.

Fort William is in good hunting country with some fine beats on a major salmon river, which allowed the elderly Duke to claim he had purchased an Irish sporting base.

Its real purpose, however, was to facilitate his pursuit of Miss Nancy Sullivan, daughter of a retired general from Glanmire, near Cork, who soon became his fourth duchess.

His Grace made extensive alterations at Fort William, installing the finely gilded LOUIS XV boiseries in the drawing-room, removed from the ducal seat, Eaton Hall, in Cheshire, and fitting out the dining-room with panelling from one of his yachts.

The 2nd Duke died in 1953, but his widow survived for a further fifty years, outliving three of her husband's successors at Eaton Hall in Cheshire.

Anne, Duchess of Westminster, was renowned as one of the foremost National Hunt owners of the day.

Her Grace's bay gelding, Arkle, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on three successive occasions and is among the most famous steeplechasers of all time.

Fort William was briefly owned by the Drummond-Wolfe family before passing to an American, Murray Mitchell.

On his widow’s death it was purchased by Ian Agnew and his wife Sara, who undertook a sensitive restoration before he too died in 2009.

In 2013 the estate was purchased by David Evans-Bevan who lives at Fort William today with his family, farming and running the salmon fishery.

First published in January, 2018.  Select bibliography ~ Irish Historic Houses Association.

Edith, Lady Dixon

Photo Credit: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council

EDITH LADY DIXON DBE: A TRIBUTE

Lady Dixon DBE (1871-1964) was the wife of the Rt Hon Sir Thomas Dixon, 1st Baronet.

The largesse and generosity of the Dixons was renowned and they donated more than £100,000 to good causes.

For this philanthropy, Lady Dixon was appointed Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) in June, 1921, in recognition of her valuable work on behalf of the men of all the services during the 1st World War; and for her generous support and constant interest in the Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Service Club.

On 27th August, 1918, a grand summer fête was held at Cairndhu (shown in its present state below) on the County Antrim coast, near Larne, in aid of the Cairncastle Prisoners of War Fund.

The opening ceremony involved Lady Dixon and the Chairman was William Chaine DL.

On the day the heavens opened, resulting in the outdoor activities being somewhat curtailed and the marquees overcrowded.

At the time Lady Dixon said, 

“No cause more appealed to their hearts than the Prisoners-of-war Fund. These men, of their own free will, went out to fight for us, and now that they were in the hands of a cruel enemy we could not do too much to show our gratitude to them”.

The financial result, however, was gratifying with almost £500 being raised.

Her activities during World War II were no less prominent:

She was part of the Central Committee for War Hospital Supply Depots, which was formed in September, 1939, for the purpose of providing clothing and bandages to military hospitals and woollen comforts to brighten the lives of their men-folk in the services, on the seas, in the hospitals or interned in prison camps in enemy territory.

Lady Dixon held high office in many of the great national organisations such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the St John Ambulance Brigade.

She was appointed President of the Larne St John Ambulance Brigade in September, 1939.

For many years she was a vice-president of the Ulster Women’s Unionist Council.

She was also honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Larne.

As wife of HM Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Dixon took a prominent part in official ceremonies and often helped to entertain royalty, including Princess Margaret, at Cairndhu for lunch in October, 1947, as HRH toured along the Antrim Coast Road.

Although taking part in many official ceremonies during her husband’s lifetime, she was of a quiet and reserved nature and was never happier than when she was escorting friends around her immaculately kept gardens at Cairndhu.

Lady Dixon was particularly interested in nursing:

She was President of Larne District Nursing Society for 30 out of its 55 year existence until its disbandment in 1948; and was president of the “Annie Clark Trust Fund” which had been set up by her mother.

In July, 1928, a fete was organised at Cairndhu on behalf of the Maternity Hospital Building Fund, with Lady Dixon being a long-time member of the Committee of Management.

Activities included dancing, bridge, outdoor amusements including clock golf, a lawn tennis tournament, afternoon tea on the terrace and music from the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

This fund-raising event attracted over 400 people with such dignitaries as the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn.

In May 1947, Sir Thomas celebrated his 79th birthday.

They marked the occasion by announcing a generous gift: After 40 years at Cairndhu, the Dixons donated their 60-room family home, with 100 acres of the estate, to the Ministry of Health and Local Government for use as a convalescent home or hospital.

At the time Lady Dixon said that she was very sorry to be leaving the house that her father built: “It’s too big for us now, though. It was different in the days when we could entertain.”

After Lady Dixon sold their other property, Carnfunnock House, and surrounding land to Larne Borough Council in 1957, the Council allowed her to continue to use the building and her maid, Jean McIlmoyle, remained in the summer-house for a number of years.

Additionally, the Brownlow family rented the farm and land from the Council until the early 1960s, before moving to a house in Larne.

Lady Dixon continued to live for over a decade after Sir Thomas's death.

As they were devoted to each other in life, she felt his loss deeply.

This was shown in a letter to her former chauffeur, William Sutherland: “How broken my life is now, but I have those wonderful memories of all he was. I am very lonely without him.”

On 20th January, 1964, the elderly Lady Dixon, aged 92, died at her residence in Malone Park, Belfast, and was buried at Dundonald Cemetery beside her husband.

She left more than £100,000 to charitable institutions in Northern Ireland.

The majority of her property and effects were divided between her nephews and nieces.

For the full time employees at Carnfunnock she bequeathed £10 for each year of service.

At the time of Lady Dixon’s death, the Mayor of Larne, Councillor J W Sandford said,

Larne has lost its greatest benefactor. Both Lady Dixon and Sir Thomas always had the welfare of the town and district at heart.

In June, 1964, the contents of Carnfunnock House were sold by auction from a marquee on the front lawn with many locals taking the opportunity to purchase a small memento.

Larne Borough Council rented this property out until 1973 when it issued a long-term lease to Larne Lions Club to use the chalet as a holiday home for the elderly and disadvantaged groups.

In 1986, due to lack of sufficient funding, Cairndhu was closed down by the Department of Health and Social Services.

It subsequently lay derelict.

In 1995 the Lord Rana purchased Cairndhu House and the surrounding gardens from the council.

It remained neglected, being heavily vandalised and suffering a number of collapsed floors and water ingress due to holes in the roof.

A public consultation was to be undertaken in May, 2018, about plans to develop the site of the derelict mansion into a "retirement village," including an 80-bedroom nursing home, with the retention and restoration of the stable block at a cost of around £25-£30million.

Today, its future still remains uncertain.

First published in July, 2010.

Dixon Park

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is located at Dunmurry, County Antrim, now on the outskirts of Belfast.

This fine civic park, originally Wilmont Estate, was conveyed as a gift to the City of Belfast in December, 1959, by Edith, Lady Dixon, DBE, in order to perpetuate the long association of her husband (the Rt Hon Sir Thomas Dixon Bt) and herself with the City.

It comprises 134 acres.

The mansion house of 1859 still stands, in reasonably good condition; though its future seems uncertain, since it lies disused and apparently unwanted by the city fathers.

The surrounding parkland is delightful, with mature trees and woodland, and the River Lagan.

A large section of the grounds is now used for the international rose trials, established in 1964.

The stable block now houses a ground-floor café.

The walled garden is a haven of peace and tranquillity, with a number of park benches donated by the families of deceased loved-ones, their details on metal plaques.

The fruit and vegetables which flourished here are long gone, though some original paths remain and the garden now thrives with fine flora.

On an outside wall of the walled garden, at one corner, there are three mural memorials to pet dogs.

The canine memorial above must have been erected by the Reade family, who sold Wilmont to the Dixons in 1919.

First published in August, 2015.

The Rowallane Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Rowallane Demesne, near Saintfield, County Down

DATE: 1956

EXTENT: 199.34 acres

DONOR: Jane Moore and Kenneth Goodbody

First published in January, 2015.

Kilrush House

THE VANDELEURS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CLARE, WITH 19,700 ACRES

MAXIMILIAAN VAN DER LEUR, a Dutch merchant, settled in Ireland in the late 16th century, and was granted a certificate of naturalization, 1603.

His son,

JAMES VANDELEUR, established a mill at Sixmilebridge, County Clare, in 1635.

He died in 1642, and was father of

GILES VANDELEUR (1625-1701), High Sheriff of County Clare, 1665, settled at Ralahine, County Clare, 1660, and was one of the commissioners for allotting quit-rents in Ireland.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Sir John Jephson MP, of Mallow, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Francis, 1st Viscount Shannon (fourth son of Richard, 1st Earl of Cork), and had issue,

James, of Blane, who left issue;
JOHN, of whom presently;
Boyle.

The second son,

THE REV JOHN VANDELEUR, of Cragg, County Clare, Rector of Kilrush, County Clare, seating himself at Kilrush in 1687, wedded Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Crofton, of Inchirourke, County Limerick, by whom he left, besides a younger son, Thomas, an elder son,

JOHN VANDELEUR, of Kilrush, who married Frances, daughter of John Ormsby, of Cloghans, County Mayo; and had issue,

CROFTON, his heir;
John Ormsby, of Maddenstown;
Richard, of Rutland, father of General Sir J O Vandeleur GCB;
Mary.

Mr Vandeleur died in 1754, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

CROFTON VANDELEUR, of Kilrush, who wedded, in 1765, Alice, daughter of Thomas Burton (uncle of Francis P Burton, 2nd Lord Conyngham), of Buncraggy, by Dorothy his wife, daughter of the Rt Hon John Forster, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, and had issue,

JOHN ORMSBY, his heir;
Thomas Burton, a judge;
Crofton, major-general;
Richard, army major;
Frederick, army captain;
William Richard (Rev);
Dorothy; Alice; Emily; Frances.

The eldest son,

THE RT HON JOHN ORMSBY VANDELEUR (1765-1828), Commissioner of the Customs in Ireland, MP for Ennis, 1802, married the Lady Frances Moore, daughter of Charles, 1st Marquess of Drogheda, and had issue,

CROFTON MOORE, his heir;
Henry Seymour Moore;
Anna Frances; Alice.

Mr Vandeleur was succeeded by his elder son,

CROFTON MOORE VANDELEUR JP DL (1808-81), of Kilrush House, Colonel, Clare Regiment of Militia, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1832, MP for Clare, 1859-74, who married, in 1832, the Lady Grace Graham-Toler, second daughter of Hector John, 2nd Earl of Norbury, and had issue,

HECTOR STEWART, his heir;
Crofton Toler, father of Lt-Col Crofton Bury Vandeleur;
John Ormsby Moore;
Elizabeth Frances; Frances Letitia; Grace Dorothea.

Colonel Vandeleur was succeeded by his eldest son,

HECTOR STEWART VANDELEUR (1836-1909), of Kilrush House, Lord-Lieutenant of County Clare, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1873, who married, in 1867, Charlotte, eldest daughter of William Orme Foster MP, of Apsley Park, Shropshire, and had issue,

Cecil Foster Seymour, DSO (1869-1901), k/a;
ALEXANDER MOORE, his heir;
Isabel Grace; Evelyn Norah.

His only surviving son,

ALEXANDER MOORE VANDELEUR JP (1883-1914), of Kilrush, and Cahiracon, Captain, The Life Guards, espoused, in 1910, Violet Ethel, eldest daughter of Henry Meysey, 1st Lord Knaresborough.

Captain Vandeleur was killed in action, aged 30, in the 1st World War.

He left issue,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL GILES ALEXANDER MEYSEY VANDELEUR DSO (1911-78).

KILRUSH HOUSE, County Clare, was an early Georgian house of 1808.

From 1881 until Kilrush House was burnt in 1897, Hector Stewart Vandeleur lived mainly in London and only spent short periods each year in Kilrush.

Indeed during the years 1886-90, which coincided with the period of the greatest number of evictions from the Vandeleur estate, he does not appear to have visited Kilrush.

In 1889, Hector bought Cahircon House and then it was only a matter of time before the Vandeleurs moved to Cahircon as, in 1896, they were organising shooting parties at Kilrush House and also at the Cahircon demesne. 

Hector Stewart Vandeleur was the last of the Vandeleurs to be buried at Kilrush in the family mausoleum.

Cahircon House was sold in 1920, ending the Kilrush Vandeleurs' direct association with County Clare.

Hector Vandeleur had, by 1908, agreed to sell the Vandeleur estate to the tenants for approximately twenty years' rent, and the majority of the estate was purchased by these tenants.

************

THE VANDELEURS, as landlords, lost lands during the Land Acts and the family moved to Cahircon, near Kildysart.

In 1897, Kilrush House was badly damaged by fire.

During the Irish Land Commission of the 1920s, the Department of Forestry took over the estate, planted trees in the demesne and under their direction the remains of the house were removed in 1973, following an accident in the ruins.

Today the top car park is laid over the site of the house.

Vandeleur Walled Garden now forms a small part of the former Kilrush demesne.

The Kilrush demesne was purchased by the Irish Department of Agriculture as trustee under the Irish Land Acts solely for the purpose of forestry.

The Kilrush Committee for Urban Affairs purchased the Fair Green and Market House.
 

The demesne, now Kilrush Wood, lies to the east of the town.

The remains of Kilrush House were demolished in 1973.

The site is now a car park and picnic area and all the original stones from the house are now underneath this area.

A number of street names in the town of Kilrush are named after the Vandeleurs: Frances Street after Lady Frances, wife of Hon John Ormsby Vandeleur; Grace Street after Lady Grace Vandeleur; Hector Street after Hector Stewart, son of Crofton Moore; Moore Street after a common family name of the Vandeleurs, probably after Lady Frances Moore, wife of John Ormsby Vandeleur; Burton Street after Thomas Burton Vandeleur.

Former town residence ~ 50 Rutland Gate, London.

First published in July, 2011.

The Rathlin Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Rathlin Island Kelp Store

DATE: 1998

EXTENT: 0.22 acres

DONOR: Mary Cecil

*****

PROPERTY: Rathlin Manor House

DATE: 1998

EXTENT: 2.9 acres

DONOR: Messrs McCafferty, Cavanagh and McDonnell

*****

PROPERTY: Ballycarry, Rathlin Island

DATE: 2000

EXTENT: 19.37 acres

DONOR: D Cecil

Farnham House

THE BARONS FARNHAM WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY CAVAN, WITH 25,920 ACRES

SIR ROBERT MAXWELL, of Calderwood, Lanarkshire, second son of Sir John Maxwell, of Pollok, was party with his brother Sir John Maxwell to an entail of their estates, 1400.

He married firstly, in 1402, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Denniston, of Denniston, and had a son and heir,

SIR JOHN MAXWELL, of Calderwood, living 1424 and 1429, father of

SIR JOHN MAXWELL, of Calderwood, who married and had issue,

SIR GAVIN MAXWELL, of Calderwood, who had a charter from his father of all his lands in Lanark, 1486. 

He died in 1492, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR ROBERT MAXWELL, of Calderwood, father of

SIR JOHN MAXWELL, of Calderwood, who wedded firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Hamilton, of Finart, and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart, of Minto, and died in 1571, having by his first wife had issue,

James, his heir;

ROBERT, of whom we treat.

The younger son,

THE VERY REV ROBERT MAXWELL, went over into Ireland in the latter end of the reign of ELIZABETH I, by command of the Scottish king, JAMES VI, in order to secure an interest for His Majesty in that kingdom.

Mr Maxwell was appointed Dean of Armagh, which deanery, together with other considerable church livings, he held till his decease.

He married secondly, Isabella Seton, of the very ancient house of SETON, in Scotland, by whom he had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Henry;
James;
Elizabeth; Phoebe.

The Dean's eldest son,

THE RT REV ROBERT MAXWELL (1598-1672), took holy orders, and obtained the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the university of Dublin.

Previously to the rebellion of 1641, Dr Maxwell was Rector of Tynan, in the diocese of Armagh, and Archdeacon of Down.

In 1643, he was consecrated Lord Bishop of Kilmore; and in 1661, the episcopal see of Ardagh was granted to him, to hold in commendam with that of Kilmore.

His lordship wedded Margaret, daughter of the Rt Rev Henry Echlin, Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, by whom he had, with five daughters, four sons, namely,

JOHN, his heir;
James, of Fellow's Hall, Co Armagh, father of ROBERT;
Henry, of College Hall, Co Armagh; father of JOHN, who succeeded his cousin ROBERT in the estates;
William.

The Bishop was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN MAXWELL, of Farnham, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1674, who dsp 1713, and was succeeded by his nephew,

THE REV DR ROBERT MAXWELL; who dsp 1737, and was succeeded by his cousin,

JOHN MAXWELL (1687-1759), High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1757, MP for County Cavan, 1727-56, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1756, in the dignity of BARON FARNHAM, of Farnham, County Cavan.

His lordship wedded, in 1719, Judith, heiress of James Barry, of Newtownbarry, County Wexford, and had issue,

ROBERT and
BARRY, successive peers;
Henry (Most Rev), father of JOHN and HENRY.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT, 2nd Baron (c1720-79), who was created, 1761, Viscount Farnham, and advanced to an earldom, 1763, as EARL OF FARNHAM.

His lordship wedded firstly, in 1759, Henrietta, Dowager Countess of Stafford, and sole daughter and heir of Philip Cantillon, by whom he had one daughter,

Henrietta, m, 1780, Rt Hon Dennis Daly, of Dunsandle, Co Galway.

He espoused secondly, in 1771, Sarah, only daughter of Pole Cosby, of Stradbally Hall, Queen's County, and sister of Lord Sydney; but leaving no male issue at his decease, in 1779, the titles conferred upon himself expired, while the barony devolved upon his brother,

BARRY, 3rd Baron (1723-1800), who obtained a viscountcy and earldom, in 1780, as Viscount Farnham, and, in 1785, EARL OF FARNHAM (second creation).

His lordship married firstly, in 1751, Margaret, second daughter and co-heir of Robert King, of Drewstown, County Meath, by whom he had a son and two daughters; and secondly, in 1771, Grace, daughter of Arthur Burdet, by whom he had two daughters.

He was succeeded by his only son,

JOHN JAMES, 2nd Earl (1760-1823), who wedded Grace, only daughter of Thomas Cuffe, of Grange, County Kilkenny; but dying without issue, in 1823, the viscountcy and earldom expired, and the barony reverted to his kinsman,

JOHN MAXWELL-BARRY, 5th Baron (1767-1838) [refer to Henry, third son of 1st Baron], Privy Counsellor, Colonel, Cavan Militia, who married, in 1789, Juliana Lucy, eldest daughter of Arthur, 1st Earl of Mountnorris.

Her ladyship died in 1833 without issue, when the Barony devolved upon his lordship's brother

THE REV HENRY MAXWELL, as 6th Baron (1774-1838), who wedded, in 1798, the Lady Anne Butler, eldest daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Carrick, and had issue,

HENRY, his heir;
John Barry;
Charles Robert;
Edward William;
James Pierce;
Richard Thomas, father of the 10th Baron;
William George;
Sarah Juliana; Harriet Margaret; Anne.

His lordship died within a month of his succession to the title, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 7th Baron (1799-1868), KP, MP for County Cavan, 1824-38, who espoused, in 1828, Anna Frances Esther, daughter of Thomas, 12th Baron le Despenser, though the marriage was without issue, and the title devolved upon his brother,

SOMERSET RICHARD, 8th Baron (1803-84), High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1844, MP for County Cavan, 1839-40, who married twice, without issue, when the title devolved upon his brother,

JAMES PIERCE, 9th Baron (1813-96), Lieutenant-Colonel, 97th Foot, MP for County Cavan, who died unmarried, when the title reverted to his cousin,

SOMERSET HENRY, 10th Baron (1849-1900), High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1877,  Lord-Lieutenant of County Cavan, 1900, who married, in 1875, the Lady Florence Jane Taylour, daughter of Thomas, 3rd Marquess of Headfort, and had issue,

Barry Somerset (1876-97);
ARTHUR KENLIS, his successor;
Edward Sauderson John;
Denis Crichton (Vice-Admiral the Hon Sir);
Zoe Emma; Stella Frances.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

ARTHUR KENLIS, 11th Baron (1879-1957), DSO DL, who wedded, in 1903, Aileen Selina, daughter of Charles Purdon Coote, and had issue,

Somerset Arthur;
Barry Charles William (1909-16);
Arthur Edward (1913-16);
Marjory Florence; Verena Aileen.

His lordship's eldest son,

THE HON SOMERSET ARTHUR MAXWELL (1905-42), Lieutenant-Colonel, Middlesex Yeomanry, espoused, in 1930, Angela Susan, daughter of Captain Marshall Owen Roberts, and had issue,

BARRY OWEN SOMERSET, 12th Baron;
SIMON KENLIS, 13th Baron;
Sheelin Virginia.

Colonel Maxwell died in Egypt as a result of his wounds.

Lt-Col the Hon Somerset Arthur Maxwell

His father, the 11th Baron was, consequently, succeeded by his grandson,

BARRY OWEN SOMERSET, 12th Baron (1931-2001), who married, in 1959, Diana Marion, daughter of Nigel Murray Eric Gunnis, and had issue, two daughters,

Harriet Virginia; Sophia Mary.

His lordship was succeeded by his brother,

SIMON KENLIS, 13th Baron (1933-), who wedded, in 1964, Karol Ann, daughter of Major-General George Errol Prior-Palmer, and has issue,

Robin Somerset;
Mark Erroll;
Lorna Suzanna Katherine.

FARNHAM, near Cavan, is one of the largest houses in County Cavan.

The lands were originally granted to the family of Waldron, though some years later the estate was acquired by Bishop Maxwell, whose cathedral was nearby.

The Bishop's son, John Maxwell, built a new house here about 1700, which was improved ca 1780 by Barry, 3rd Baron and 1st Earl of Farnham.

The 1st Earl added a library designed by James Wyatt.

About 1802, the 2nd Earl rebuilt the house, comprising two three-storey ranges at right angles to each other; one of which incorporated Wyatt's library.

It consisted of an eight-bay front, a breakfront, and a single-storey portico.

The other front was of nine bays, with a three-bay pedimented breakfront, prolonged by one bay at the end of the adjoining range.

In 1839, the 7th Baron enlarged Farnham by building new offices.     

It was built ca 1810 and was designed by Francis Johnston, a leading Dublin architect. 

About 1960, Lord Farnham found the house to be infested with dry-rot and demolished the range where the former entrance had been located.

The pedimented front remains the garden front; while the back range is the entrance front, with the portico re-erected at one end of it.

The house was redesigned in the 1970s.

The demesne has long been celebrated for its great beauty, a landscape of woods, panoramic mountain views, lakes; all part of the network of loughs and islands stretching southwards from Upper Lough Erne.

It was sold by the widowed Lady Farnham to Mr Roy McCabe, who purchased the agricultural estate shortly after the demise of the 12th Baron in 2001.

The house and estate are now part of a luxury hotel and leisure complex under the Radisson SAS international hotel group. 

First published in April, 2011.

Portstewart Strand Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry

DATE: 1981

EXTENT: 225.82 acres

DONOR: Philip McIntyre

First published in January, 2015.

The Murlough Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Murlough Nature Reserve, near Dundrum, County Down

DATE: 1967

EXTENT: 430.27 acres

DONOR: The Marquess of Downshire

*****

PROPERTY: Murlough House and lands

DATE: 1975

EXTENT: 265.79 acres

DONOR: Royal Bank of Scotland & John Hawkins (Trustee, Downshire Estates)

First published in January, 2015.

Gloucesters in NI

The Duke of Gloucester yesterday visited Kelvatek, Camlin Group, Lisburn, County Antrim, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim (Mr David McCorkell).

His Royal Highness, Grand Prior, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, later attended the Investiture and Awards Ceremony of the Commandery of Ards at Hillsborough Castle and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Down (Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton).

The Duke of Gloucester, Colonel-in-Chief, subsequently attended a Dinner at the Royal Army Medical Corps, Hydebank Army Reserve Centre, 4 Hospital Road, Belfast, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast (Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle DBE).

THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER visited Action Cancer's Big Bus at Hillsborough Castle to mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of Action Cancer, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Down.

Her Royal Highness later visited Mourne Stimulus, 1 Council Road, Kilkeel, and was received by Dr Robert Logan DL (Deputy Lieutenant of County Down).

The Duchess of Gloucester afterwards visited Kilkeel Harbour, Rooney, Road, Kilkeel.

Her Royal Highness subsequently visited the Schomberg Society, Reivers House, 8-12 Newcastle Street, Kilkeel, to commemorate the Twenty Fifth Anniversary.

Ballinkeele House

THE MAHERS OWNED 4,950 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY WEXFORD

JOHN MAHER, of Tullowmacjames, near Templemore, County Tipperary, married Catherine, daughter of William Lanigan, of County Kilkenny, by Mary, his second wife, daughter of Charles Gore, sixth son of Sir Paul Gore Bt, and had issue,

Nicholas, father of Valentine Maher MP;
MATTHIAS, of whose line we treat;
Gilbert;
a daughter.

The second son,

MATTHIAS MAHER, of Ballymullen, Queen's County (Laois), wedded, in 1799, Anne, daughter of Maurice O'Donnell, of Carrick-on-Suir, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Matthias;
Mary Anne; Margaret.

The eldest son,

JOHN MAHER JP DL (1801-60), of Ballinkeele, High Sheriff of County Wexford, 1853, MP for County Wexford, 1835, married, in 1843, Louisa Catherine, daughter of George Bourke O'Kelly, of Acton House, Middlesex, and had issue,

MATTHIAS AIDAN, his heir;
GEORGE MAURICE, succeeded his brother;
John Pentheny;
William Stanislaus;
Augustine;
Mary Anne; Louisa Ellen.

Mr Maher was succeeded by his eldest son,

MATTHIAS AIDAN MAHER JP DL (1846-1901), of Ballinkeele, High Sheriff of County Wexford, 1878, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

GEORGE MAURICE MAHER DL (1848-1932), of Ballinkeele, High Sheriff of County Wexford, 1913, Captain, 7th Dragoon Guards.

BALLINKEELE HOUSE, near Enniscorthy, County Wexford, is a two-storey house which has a long office wing at one side.

The Mahers were considerable landowners in north County Tipperary and purchased Ballinkeele, about five miles east of Enniscorthy, in the early 19th century.

John Maher, MP for County Wexford, 1835, commissioned the architect Daniel Robertson to build his new house in 1840.

Ballinkeele is one of the few houses Robertson built in the Classical style and is his last surviving work.

The house is comprised of a ground floor and a single upper storey, with a long, slightly lower, service wing to one side in lieu of a basement.

The facades are rendered, with cut-granite decoration, including a grandiose central porch, supported by six large Tuscan columns and surmounted by an elaborate balustrade, which projects to form a porte-cochère.

The garden front has a central breakfront with a shallow bow, flanked by wide piers of rusticated granite.

These are repeated at each corner as coigns.

The interior is classical, with baroque overtones, and is largely unaltered with most of its original contents.

The hall runs from left to right and is consequently lit from one side, with a screen of scagliola Corinthian columns at one end and an elaborate cast-iron stove at the other.

The library and drawing room have splendid chimneypieces of inlaid marble in the manner of Pietro Bossi, while the fine suite of interconnecting rooms on the garden front open onto a raised terrace.

The staircase hall has a spectacularly cantilevered stone staircase, with decorative metal balusters.

As it approaches the ground floor the swooping mahogany handrail wraps itself around a Tuscan column supporting a bronze statue of Mercury, in a style that anticipates Art Nouveau by more than forty years.

Outside, two avenues approach the house, one which provides a glimpse of a ruined keep reflected in an artificial lake, while both entrances were built to Robertson’s designs.

The Maher family still owns Ballinkeele, and today the house is run by Val and Laura Maher.

Select bibliography: Irish Historic Houses Association.

The Mount Stewart Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Gardens, County Down

DATE: 1955

EXTENT: 77.38 acres

DONOR: Derek, Viscount Bury

*****

PROPERTY: Temple of the Winds, Mount Stewart Estate

DATE: 1963

EXTENT: 3.61 acres

DONOR: Mairi, Viscountess Bury (the Lady Mairi Bury)

*****

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart House

DATE: 1976

EXTENT: 13.03 acres

DONOR: The Lady Mairi Bury

*****

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Land and Buildings

DATE: 1987-2009

EXTENT: 6.43 acres

DONOR: The Lady Mairi Bury

*****

PROPERTY: Mount Stewart Lands

DATE: 2015

EXTENT: 900 acres.

First published in January, 2015.

The Minnowburn Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Terrace Hill, Minnowburn, near Belfast, County Antrim

DATE: 1963

EXTENT: 9.01 acres

DONOR: Messrs H W and F M Clokey

*****

PROPERTY: Land at Terrace Hill

DATE: 1992

EXTENT: 0.35 acres

DONOR: Department of Health & Social Services for Northern Ireland

First published in January, 2015.

New DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint:-

Mrs Alyson Scott
Bellaghy
County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County her Commission bearing date the 20th September, 2023.


Signed:

Lord Lieutenant of the County