Gussie's Veggie Diet

JEEVES:  'I regret to inform you, sir, that Miss Bassett has insisted on Mr Fink-Nottle adopting a vegetarian diet. His mood is understandably disgruntled and rebellious.'

I tottered. In my darkest hour I had never anticipated anything as bad as this.

You wouldn't think it to look at him, because he's small and shrimplike and never puts on weight, but Gussie loves food.

Watching him tucking into his rations at the Drones [club], a tapeworm would raise its hat respectfully, knowing that it was in the presence of a master.

Cut him off, therefore, from the roasts and boileds and particularly from cold steak and kidney pie, a dish of which he is inordinately fond, and you turned him into something fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils, as the fellow said - the sort of chap who would break any engagement as soon as look at you.

At the moment of my entry I had been about to light a cigarette, and now the lighter fell from my nerveless hand.

 BERTIE:  'She's made him become a vegetarian?'

'So Mr Fink-Nottle informed me, sir.'

'No chops?'

'No, sir.'

'No steaks?'

'No, sir.'

'Just spinach and similar garbage?'

'So I gather, sir.'

Altinaghree Castle

Altinaghree Castle, Donemana, County Tyrone, is an abandoned three-storey, three-bay Georgian-Gothic dwelling, believed to date from the late 18th century.

Old maps of 1813 describe it as ruinous, though it isn't mentioned thus on maps of 1905.

In 1828-40 it was listed as an "old castle and tower," providing dimensions and declaring that the castle was uninhabitable.

The well-known publisher Samuel Lewis wrote in 1837,

"The greater part of this parish was granted by JAMES I to Sir John Drummond who founded the town of Dunnamanagh and built a bawn 109 feet square, no part of which remains as the bawn was removed some years since and the modern building called the Castle was erected on its site."

Another publication of 1666-78 described Downemanagh [sic] as the property of "Sir William Hamilton, of Elston [Manor Elieston], Knight and Protestant."

His descendant, Sir John Stuart Hamilton, first Baronet and MP for Strabane, is mentioned several times in late 18th-century correspondence between the 1st Marquess of Abercorn and his agent, James Hamilton, as being in residence at Dunnamanagh Castle or Earlsgift.

James Hamilton wrote in 1793, that "Sir John Hamilton’s brother died last week at Donemanagh, his weight 42 stones ... it took 16 planks to make his coffin…"

In 1798 Mr Hamilton remarked:

"Your Lordship will be astonished when I tell you that Sir John Hamilton has subscribed his entire pension £300 a year towards the war [and] is living the life of a hermit at Donemanagh".

James Hamilton’s letters recount Sir John Hamilton's death in 1802 and speculate that the baronetcy would expire following the death of "Young Sir John."

He added: "If I can credit his surgeon and housekeeper he will never leave an heir."

Sir John Hamilton, the second and last Baronet, died in 1818.

Hamilton, Lord Abercorn's agent, suggested that his lordship endeavour to obtain the reversion of  the second and last Baronet's estates.

First published in September, 2018.

The Mulholland Baronets

THE HON HENRY GEORGE HILL MULHOLLAND (1888-1971), third son of Henry, 2nd Baron Dunleath, MP for County Down, 1921-9, Ards, 1929-45, Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, married, in 1914, Sheelah, daughter of Sir Arthur Brooke Bt (and sister of Sir Basil Brooke Bt, later 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland), and had issue,

MICHAEL HENRY, his successor;
Sylvia Patricia Norah, m T P Palmer.

He was appointed a Privy Counsellor of Northern Ireland in 1930.

Rt Hon Sir Henry (Harry) Mulholland (Image: Castledawson Review, Facebook)

Speaker Mulholland was created a baronet in 1945, designated of Ballyscullion Park, County Londonderry.

The present Lord Dunleath tells me that, until he became Speaker, Sir Henry was based largely in England, living at Woodspean Grange, near Newbury, Berkshire. 

A room was kept for him at Ballywalter Park, where he could meet constituents when he was in Northern Ireland. 

There was, in fact, a small family enclave at that time around Newbury, as his sister, the Hon Eva Mulholland, who was married to John Saunderson [Castle Saunderson], lived near by at Honeybottom House, a beautiful property near the village of Bagnor and also close to Newbury. 

Their son, Squadron-Leader John Saunderson DSO DFC, lived there until his death ca 2006, after which the property was sold.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his son,

SIR MICHAEL HENRY MULHOLLAND, 2nd Baronet (1915-97), who wedded firstly, in 1942, Rosemary, daughter of Major David Alfred William Ker, though the marriage was without issue.

He wedded secondly, in 1949, Elizabeth, daughter of Laurence Hyde, and had an only child,

BRIAN HENRY, his successor.

In 1993, Sir Michael succeeded his cousin, Charles Edward Henry John, 4th Baron Dunleath, as 5th Baron Dunleath.

In 1993, the Mulholland baronetcy merged with the barony of Dunleath.

Sir Michael (5th Baron) lived at Storbrooke, Massey Avenue, Belfast, near the side gates of the Stormont Estate.

Storbrooke was the Belfast home of Sir Basil Brooke Bt, later 1st Viscount Brookeborough, from 1934-43.

It then became the home of Sir Harry Mulholland, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament from 1943 until his death in 1971.

His son Sir Michael lived at Storbrooke till his death, in 1997.

Sir Michael could often be seen shopping with a wicker basket at Strandtown; he worshipped at St Mark's parish church, Dundela.

BRIAN HENRY, 6th Baron and 3rd Baronet (1950-), DL, of Ballywalter Park, County Down, married firstly, in 1976, Mary Joan, daughter of Major Robert John Fuller Whistler, and had issue,

Andrew Henry, born 1981;
William Alexander, born 1986;
Tara Miranda, born 1980.

He wedded secondly, Vibeke (Vibse) Lunn.

First published in May, 2010.

Luttrellstown Castle

THE BARONS ANNALY WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 3,954 ACRES

LUKE WHITE (c1740-1824), of Woodlands, County Dublin, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1804, and County Longford, 1806, MP for Leitrim, 1818-24, who had acquired considerable wealth, purchased Lord Carhampton's estate of Luttrelltown.

Luke White, By Gilbert Stuart - http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/
Collection/art-object-page.1122.html,
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50758244

He married firstly, 1781, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter de la Mazière, of Dublin, of a Huguenot family, and had issue; and secondly, in 1800, Arabella, daughter of William Fortescue, and by her had a son, William.

His fourth son, by his first marriage,

HENRY WHITE (1791-1873), of Woodlands, County Dublin, and subsequently of Rathcline, County Longford, served in the 14th Light Dragoons during the Peninsular War; was MP for County Dublin, 1823-32, County Longford, 1837-47 and 1857-61; Lord-Lieutenant of County Longford, 1841-73.

Having succeeded to the Longford estates of his next elder brother, Luke White, in 1854, he was elevated to the peerage, in 1863, in the dignity of BARON ANNALY (third creation), of Annaly and Rathcline, County Longford.

His lordship married, in 1828, Ellen, daughter of William Soper Dempster, by Hannah, only daughter and heir of John Hamilton Dempster, of Skibo Castle, Sutherland, and had issue,

LUKE, his successor;
Henry;
George Frederick;
Francis Samuel;
Charles William;
Robert;
Eleanor Eliza; Emily Beaujolais.

He died at Sunbury Park, Middlesex, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

LUKE, 2nd Baron (1829-88), KP, who wedded, in 1853, Emily, daughter of James Stuart, and had issue,

LUKE, his successor;
Henry Frederick;
Charles James;
Robert;
Francis William;
Ellen Harriet; Alice Emily; Violet.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

LUKE, 3rd Baron (1857-1922), GCVO JP DL, who wedded, in 1884, Lilah Georgiana Augusta Constance, daughter of Henry, 3rd Viscount Clifden, and had issue,

LUKE HENRY, his successor;
Lilah Charlotte Sarah; Lucia Emily Margaret.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

LUKE HENRY, 4th Baron (1885-1970), MC JP,

• Luke Robert White, 5th Baron (1927–90);
• Luke Richard White, 6th Baron (b 1954).

LUTTRELLSTOWN CASTLE, Clonsilla, County Dublin, dates from the early 15th century (ca 1420).

It has been owned variously by the eponymous and notorious Luttrell family; the bookseller Luke White his descendants the Lords Annaly; the Guinnesses; the Primwest Group; and, since 2006, JP McManus, John Magnier and Aidan Brooks.

The Castle has hosted visits by Queen Victoria in 1844 and 1900, and its media profile was raised when David and Victoria Beckham were married there in 1999.

Luttrellstown and its remaining 560-acre demesne currently form a 5-star resort. 

Henry, 2nd Earl of Carhampton, sold Luttrellstown Castle to the publisher Luke White, described as one of the most remarkable men in Ireland.

Luke White changed its name to Woodlands, but the 3rd Lord Annaly reverted back to its former name.

In 1778, Luke White started as an impecunious book dealer, buying in Dublin and reselling around the country.

By 1798, during the rebellion, he helped the Irish government with a loan of £1 million (at £65 per £100 share at 5%).

He became MP for Leitrim, and died in 1824 leaving properties worth £175,000 per annum.

An extract from The illustrated London News of 1864 describes a series of festivities at Woodlands, "the beautiful seat of the Rt Hon. Henry White, the newly created Lord Annaly".

These festivities consisted of theatrical and social entertainments.

A new theatre was built especially for the occasion and the festivities lasted for a fort­night.

The plays `Still Waters Run Deep' and `Samuel in Search of Him­self' were performed, and a ball to which `most of the principal families of Dublin and the neighbourhood received invitations', concluded the festivities.

Queen Victoria paid two visits to Luttrellstown: Firstly in 1844, as Her Majesty passed through to visit the Duke of Leinster at Carton; secondly in 1900, when The Queen stayed at Viceregal Lodge.

To commemorate these visits, Lord Annaly erected an obelisk made of six blocks of granite from the Dublin mountains, which together measure 8 feet, 6 inches in height.

It is at the head of the Glen, near the Waterfall, where Her Majesty drank some tea.

Prince von Puckler-Muskau (c1820) remarked,

"The entrance to the demesne is indeed the most delightful in its kind that can be imagined. Scenery, by nature most beautiful, is improved by art to the highest degree of its capability, and, without destroying its free and wild character, a variety and richness of vegetation is produced which enchants the eye. 

Gay shrubs and wild flowers, the softest turf and giant trees, festooned with creeping plants, fill the narrow glen through which the path winds, by the side of the clear, dancing brook, which, falling in little cataracts, flows on, sometimes hidden in the thicket, sometimes resting like liquid silver in an emerald cup, or rushing under overhanging arches of rock, which nature seems to have hung there as triumphal gates for the beneficent Naiad of the valley to pass through."

In the dining-room (above) the architect, Mr Harbord, used the same eagles at Oving House, near Aylesbury, that he incorporated in the plasterwork here.

As a room it succeeds brilliantly. The ceiling is painted by de Wit.

The entrance hall (above) retains its Gothic character of about 1800, but the mantel and black-and- white floor are recent improvements.

It leads on to the staircase hall, which was transformed by Mr Harbord in 1963 when a magnificent painted ceiling by Thornhill, from a house in Suffolk now demolished, was inserted; the staircase and window were altered at the same time.

The far end of the Ballroom opens into the Grisaille Room (above), created to rake the series of nine Grisaille paintings by Peter de Gree, one of which, signed and dated 1788, represents Irish trade and commerce.

The library, in the centre of the south front, was originally the entrance hall and it has an unusual eighteenth century plaster ceiling with bow and arrow in full relief.

he chief glory of the house is the ballroom, which has plaster decoration that could be eighteenth century, but was most likely done for Luke White at the time of his purchase.

The design is unusual and original, and does not fit easily into any particular category of plasterwork; it was probably done by local stuccodores working in a somewhat outdated manner.

It blends in admirably with the Adamesque Grisaille room, and the magnificent dining room, with its plaster birds and painted ceiling.

The Whites were also major landowners in County Longford, with 12,560 acres.

Former residences ~ Porters, Shenley, Hertfordshire; Baldwyn's, East Grinstead, Sussex; town house: 19, Belgrave Square.

First published in September, 2011.

Eglantine House

EGLANTINE HOUSE, near Hillsborough, County Down, is a two-storey, three-bay Georgian house of ca 1780.

It has a concealed basement.

Eglantine House is Italianate in style and stucco-fronted.

It was renovated about 1845 to the designs of Sir Charles Lanyon.

One of its most remarkable features is a very fine, curved stone staircase.

The original building on the Eglantine demesne is thought to have dated from the late 18th century.

P J Rankin considers that it was originally intended as a dower house for the Marquesses of Downshire.

Eglantine House first appears in 1803 on a survey map of the Kilwarlin estate in the townland of Carnbane on land which is noted as belonging to Hugh Moore.

This map records that Moore’s estate covered "70 Acres and one Rood."

In 1837, documents recorded that Eglantine House was a "gentleman’s residence ... Hugh Moore of Carnbane has an elegant seat, finely ornamented with plantations of young firs."

In 1841, Eglantine House was acquired by Sinclair Kelburn Mulholland (1798-1872), uncle of the 1st Baron Dunleath.

The well-known architect Sir Charles Lanyon renovated the house ca 1845 and refaced it in the neo-classical style, adding "a central projecting open Doric porch, refurbishing the interior, and replacing the two old gate lodges."

Many believe that Lanyon may have practically rebuilt the house, as it was believed to date from about 1845, though no evidence could be found of an earlier style.

Sinclair Mulholland retired in 1850 and spent the remainder of his days at Eglantine.

His family and friends erected All Saints' Parish Church in memory of Mr Mulholland and his only son, also called Sinclair Kelburn Mulholland, who predeceased his father in 1861.

The Mulhollands continued to live at Eglantine until 1917.

Mary Filgate Mulholland (1830-1917) was the last of the family to live at Eglantine House.

In those days the estate comprised two stables, one coach-house, one harness-room, three cow-houses, two calf-houses, one dairy, two piggeries, two fowl-houses, one boiling-house, a barn, a turf-house, a potato house, a workshop and a shed.

When Miss Mulholland died in 1917 the house was occupied for a short period by Joseph Coulter, whose family at one time owned Newport coal quay.

Mr Coulter sold the 300-acre estate to Edward Thomas Green, proprietor of ET Green, millers.

In 1972 it was purchased by Anthony Lyle Skyrme.

Anthony Skyrme's mother, the Hon Suzanne Lyle (1915-94), youngest daughter of the 1st Baron Lyle of Westbourne, married, in 1938, Sir William Thomas Charles Skyrme KCVO CB CBE TD JP, and had issue, two daughters and a son, 

Anthony Lyle Skyrme (37 South Eaton Place, SW1), who wedded, in 1972, Carole-June, daughter of W J Glover, of Sandown House, Belfast.

Eglantine House remained vacant until 1987 or 1988.

The estate was thereafter divided into two farms and both were sold.

Two-thirds of the land and Eglantine House were bought by the Falloon family with the intention of converting the house into a hotel or country club.

However, planning permission could not be obtained for this project and the house lay mostly unoccupied until it suffered a catastrophic fire on the night of Sunday, 23rd September, 1990.

A number of modern cottages have been constructed on the site of the old estate office houses.

In 2012, Eglantine House was completely restored with the aid of a government heritage grant.

The work was carried out by the Boyd Partnership.

First published in September, 2016.

1st Earl of Clanwilliam

This family have been for centuries settled in the county and city of Cork, and have been landed proprietors from the earliest mention of the name.

 Charles Smith, in his history of that county, mentions that at Meadstown there was formerly a castle built by the Meades; that they had the patronage of the prebend of Lisleary; and that many of this ancient family were interred at Buttevant Friary.

A descendant of this house was William Miagh, consecrated Lord Bishop of Kildare, 1540, and a privy counsellor to HENRY VIII.

JOHN MIAGH, called in Chancery Bills in Ireland "the great John Miagh," was seised in fee of the fishery weir of Lough Mahon, in the Haven of Cork.

His son,

JOHN MIAGH, was called "the younger," and was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM MIAGH, who died ante 1488, and was succeeded by his son and heir,

JOHN MIAGH, who was adjudged by a decree or deed of arbitration before Maurice Roche, Mayor of Cork, and others, in 1488, the weir in the Harbour of Cork, as heir of his father and grandfather.

He was succeeded by his son and heir,

WILLIAM MEAGH, who is recorded in a Chancery Bill to have been succeeded by his son and heir,

JOHN MEAGH, MIAGH, OR MEADE, elected MP for Cork City, 1559, and again, 1585.

He was Recorder of Cork, the Queen's Attorney for Munster, and was appointed, 1570, Second Justice of the Province of Munster..

He died about 1589, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN MEADE, of Ballintubber and of the City of Cork; who, in 1611, made a Deed of Settlement of his estates.

He died in 1629, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM MEADE, of Ballintubber, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, aged 17 at his father's death.

His wardship was granted, in 1632, to Thomas Maule, of Dublin.

He wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Travers, Kt, and had, with three daughters, four sons,

JOHN, his heir;
Patrick, Brigadier-General;
Robert;
Dominick;
Jocelyn (Ven), Archdeacon of Cloyne.

Colonel Meade, who raised a troop of horse for the service of CHARLES II, died in 1666, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN MEADE, Knight (1642-1707), of Ballintubber, Attorney-General to JAMES, DUKE OF YORK, who was created a baronet in 1703, designated of Ballintubber, County Cork.

He espoused Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Pierce, 2nd Viscount Ikerrin, and had issue,

William and
James, both died young;
PIERCE;
RICHARD, successive baronets;
Helen; Catherine; Mary; Jane.

Sir John was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR PIERCE MEADE, 2nd Baronet (1693-1711), who died unmarried and in minority, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR RICHARD MEADE, 3rd Baronet (1697-1744), who married, in 1736, Catherine, second daughter of Henry Prittie, grandfather of Henry, 1st Baron Dunalley, and had an only son,

SIR JOHN MEADE, 4th Baronet (1744-1800), born a few days before his father's death, in 1744, who wedded, in 1765, Theodosia, only daughter and heir of Robert Hawkins Magill, of Gill Hall, County Down, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Robert, General in the army;
John, Lieutenant-General in the army;
Pierce (Ven), Archdeacon of Dromore;
Edward, killed in Egypt;
Anne; Catherine; Theodosia Sarah Frances; Melicina Adelaide; Rose Maria Arabella Sarah.

Theodosia, Countess of Clanwilliam (Image: Ulster Museum)

Sir John was elevated to the peerage, in 1766, in the dignities of Viscount Clanwilliam and Baron Gillford; and advanced to an earldom, in 1776, as EARL OF CLANWILLIAM.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl (1766-1805), who married firstly, in 1793, Caroline, Countess of Thun, daughter of Maria Wilhelmine von Thun und Hohenstein, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Caroline; Selina.

He wedded secondly, Margaret Irene, daughter of John Sarney, and widow of John Harcourt, of Ankerwycke, and of Molyneux, 1st Baron Shuldham, and died two months later.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD, 3rd Earl (1795-1879), GCH, who married, in 1830, the Lady Elizabeth Herbert, daughter of George, 11th Earl of Pembroke, and had issue,

RICHARD JAMES, his successor;
Robert Henry;
Sidney;
Herbert George Philip;
Selina Catherine.

3rd Earl of Clanwilliam (Image: the National Trust, Uppark)

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD JAMES, 4th Earl (1832-1907), GCB KCMG, of Gill Hall, County Down, Admiral of the Fleet, who espoused, in 1867, Elizabeth Henrietta, daughter of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, and had issue,

Richard Charles, Lord Gillford (1868-1905);
ARTHUR VESEY, 5th Earl;
Herbert, Admiral in the Royal Navy;
Edward Brabazon;
Katharine; Beatrice; Adelaide Jane; Elizabeth Selina Georgiana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

ARTHUR VESEY, 5th Earl (1873-1953), MC DL, of Montalto, County Down, who married, in 1909, Muriel Mary Temple, daughter of Russell Maule Stephenson, and had issue,

JOHN CHARLES EDMUND CARSON, his successor;
Mary Anne Selina; Elizabeth Louise Margaret.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

JOHN CHARLES EDMUND CARSON, 6th Earl (1914-89), of Montalto, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, 1975-9.

• Richard Charles Francis Christian Meade, 3rd Earl (1795–1879);

• Richard James Meade, 4th Earl (1832–1907);

• Arthur Vesey Meade, 5th Earl (1873–1953);

• John Charles Edmund Carson Meade, 6th Earl (1914–89);

• John Herbert Meade, 7th Earl (1919–2009);

• Patrick James Meade, 8th Earl (b 1960).

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, John Maximilian Meade, styled Lord Gillford.

*****

I recall seeing the 6th Earl, of Montalto, County Down, at a scout conference in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down.

Montalto estate had been acquired by the 5th Earl in 1910.

It was sold by the 6th Earl when he retired in 1979 and became part of a business partnership who replanted the demesne in 1986-89.

The house has been in private hands again since 1995.

Clanwilliam arms courtesy of European Heraldry.   First published in February, 2011.

Wodehouse Gems: IV

Lady Glossop: Do you work, Mr Wooster?

Bertie: What, work? As in honest toil, you mean? Hewing the wood and drawing the old wet stuff and so forth?

Lady Glossop: Quite.

Bertie: Well... I've known a few people who worked. Absolutely swear by it, some of them. Boko Fittleworth almost had a job once.

Ballylough House

THE TRAILLS OWNED 1,402 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM

The earliest record of the family of TRAILL refers to THE RT REV WALTER TRAIL, son of the Laird of Blebo, Fife, who was appointed Bishop of St Andrews ca 1385, in the reign of ROBERT III, King of Scotland.

He attended POPE CLEMENT VII at Avignon, 1386, and was preferred to his bishopric by papal authority without election: with Queen Anabella, he managed the affairs of Scotland, rebuilt St Andrews Castle, and died in 1401.

The Bishop's nephew,

JAMES TRAIL, grandson of the first Laird of Blebo, was Constable of Fife, 1443.

His grandson, 

JOHN TRAILL (1502-80), of Blebo, Fife, married Agnes Bruce, daughter of Sir Alexander Bruce, of Earlshall.

This John was, in 1517, one of a jury, composed of 24 of the gentry of Fife, who made an inquisition of all the lands of Fife before the sheriff.

His son and heir,

COLONEL ANDREW TRAILL, younger brother of Alexander Traill, Laird of Blebo, Fife, served the Confederate States of Flanders, as well as HENRY IV of France, with reputation.

On his return, he was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Prince Henry, eldest son of JAMES I.

He married Helen, daughter of Thomas Myrton, of Cambo, and was father of

JAMES TRAILL, of Denino, who died in 1635, leaving by his first wife, Matilda, daughter of Melville, of Cambee, three sons, of whom

1.  James (1600-63), Colonel in the Parliamentary Army, settled at Killyleagh, County Down, where he died in 1663. He wedded, in 1647, Mary, daughter of James, Viscount Claneboye, and had issue, four sons and eight daughters, of whom the sixth, Eleanor, married her cousin, William Trail.
2.  ROBERT, of whom presently;
3.  Andrew, died unmarried.

The second son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1603-76), Minister of Elie, Fife, and afterwards of Grey Friars, Edinburgh, was taken prisoner by CROMWELL; he assisted afterwards at the coronation of CHARLES II, and was banished to Holland for nonconformity; he returned, however, in 1674, and died at Edinburgh in 1676.

He wedded, in 1639, Jane, daughter of Alexander Annan, Laird of Auchterallen, and was father of

THE REV WILLIAM TRAILL (1640-1723), Minister of Borthwick, who married firstly, in 1671, Eupham, second daughter of Provost Sword, of St Andrews, and left an only daughter, Mary.

He espoused secondly, in 1679, his cousin Eleanor, sixth daughter of James Trail, and had further issue,

James (Rev), d 1723;
William (Rev), b 1683;
ROBERT, of whom presently;
Sarah; Jean; Margaret; Eleanor; Elizabeth.

The third son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1687-1762), Minister of Panbride, Angus, married, in 1718, Jane, eighth daughter of John Haldane, of Myrton, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
John;
William;
James (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Down and Connor;
Mary; Margaret.

The Rev Robert Traill was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1719-98), Minister of Panbride, who wedded Jane, daughter of the Rev Anthony Dow, of Fettercain, and had issue,

Robert (Rev), Rector of Ballintoy; died unmarried;
ANTHONY, of whom presently;
James (Rev);
John;
Thomas;
David (Rev);
Catherine Jane; Margaret Black.

The Rev Robert Traill was succeeded by his second son,

THE VEN ANTHONY TRAILL (1755-1831), of Ballylough House, Prebendary of St Andrews, Archdeacon of Connor, Rector of Skull, who married, in 1788, Agnes, daughter of William Watts Gayer LL.D, Chief Clerk of the House of Lords in Ireland, and had issue,

James (1789-1810); died unmarried;
WILLIAM, of whom hereafter;
Robert (Rev), Rector of Skull;
Catherine.

The Archdeacon was succeeded by his second son,

WILLIAM TRAILL (1791-), of Ballylough House, who married firstly, in 1824, Louisa Ann, daughter of the Rev Thomas Lloyd, of Castle Lloyd, by Elizabeth FitzGerald his wife, daughter of the Knight of Glin; and had issue, two daughters,

Elizabeth Catherine;
Agnes.

He wedded secondly, in 1836, Louisa Henrietta, daughter of Robert French, of Monivea Castle, County Galway, by Nicola his wife, sister of Sir Edward O'Brien Bt, of Dromoland, and had further issue, 

ANTHONY, his heir;
Robert Gayer, Major in the army; barrister;
William Atcheson; engineer;
Maria Nichola; Agnes Victoria.

Mr Traill was succeeded by his eldest son,

DR ANTHONY TRAILL JP DL (1838-1914), of Ballylough House, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, who married, in 1867, Catherine Elizabeth, second daughter of James Stewart-Moore DL, of Ballydivity, County Antrim, a Waterloo Veteran, by Fanny his wife, daughter of the Rev Thomas Richardson, of Somerset, County Londonderry, and had issue,

WILLIAM STEWART, his heir;
James Anthony;
Robert Thomas;
Henry Edward O'Brien;
Edmund Francis Tarleton;
Alexander Frederick;
Frances Catherine; Harriet Agnes; Annie Margaret.

Dr Traill was succeeded by his eldest son, 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM STEWART TRAILL DSO JP DL (1868-1959), of Ballylough House, who married, in 1896, Selina Margaret, daughter of Charles Frizell, of Castle Kevin, County Wicklow, and had issue,

ANTHONY O'BRIEN, his heir;
William Walter Alan;
Henry Austin.

Colonel Traill was succeeded by his eldest son, 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ANTHONY O'BRIEN TRAILL OBE JP DL (1897-), of Ballylough House, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1938, who wedded, in 1925, Marjorie, daughter of Percy Severn Anderson, and had issue,

William Anthony, b 1927; emigrated;
RICHARD SEVERN, of whom presently.

The younger son, 

RICHARD SEVERN TRAILL (1931-2016), of Ballylough House, married, in 1957, Pamela, daughter of J Peacock, and had issue,

David Severn (1958-), of Ballylough House, High Sheriff of Co Antrim, 2011;
James Anthony, b 1960;
Timothy Peter, b 1962;
Camilla Jane; Christina Mary.

Ballylough House (Timothy Ferres, 2012)

BALLYLOUGH HOUSE, near Bushmills, County Antrim, originally belonged to Archibald Stewart, of Ballintoy.

It was purchased by the Traills in 1789.

The house consists of two storeys over a basement, with a five-bay front.

The front was later given Wyatt windows.

There are battlemented, segmental, flanking walls with niches were added in 1815; and a wing was attached in the 19th century.

The 17th century demesne, which contains the ruins of MacQuillan castle (a stronghold of the MacQuillans and MacDonnells), has been in the ownership of the Traills since 1789.

The present house is from that date, with additions of 1815 and alterations of 1930.

(Timothy Ferres, 2012)

The fine beech avenue, noted in 1846, was felled in 1942, though mature shelter belt trees and much of the ‘plantations’, quoted at the same time, remain.

There is a maintained ornamental garden to the south-east of the house, sheltered by the curving walls that screen either side of the north facing house front.

The walled garden (Timothy Ferres, 2012)

A continuation of the east of walls, backing a building, forms the north wall of the walled gardens, a substantial portion of which is fully maintained, with box edged beds and espalier fruit trees.

An uncultivated portion, the former orchard, is mown. The garden house is not in use.

Generations of good gardening make this an attractive garden with all year round interest and it is kept to a high standard.

There are two gate lodges: the unusual circular West Lodge of ca 1800, now known as The Drum; and the East Lodge of ca 1840, which is still occupied and has its own charming cottage garden.

The West Lodge, now known as The Drum, was built at the end of a long avenue of beech trees at the western edge of the Ballylough Estate in 1800 by Archdeacon Traill, two years after he bought the estate.

No records are yet available for the occupants of The Drum before 1898, when one Lizzie Taggart and her husband came to live there.

Both of the Taggarts were employed on the estate, he as a farm labourer, and she as the 'hen girl' looking after the geese, ducks and hens.

The Taggart family lived there until 1962, after which it remained vacant.

The original lodge was tiny, with two rooms linked by a stone staircase.

It had no running water, and was always inhabited by estate workers, but there are no records of the occupants prior to 1898.

The MacQuillan castle is in ruins; a crannog is in the Decoy Plantation.

The house is private but the gardens are often open for charity functions.

Several distinctive tablet memorial stones are found within the walls of Billy Parish Church.

One of the largest memorials is dedicated to Archdeacon Traill.

There is also a mural tablet in memory of Dr Anthony Traill, Provost of Trinity College Dublin; his wife Elizabth; and his son, James Anthony.

A number of other memorials are to individual members of the Traill family who served in the army.

William Acheson Traill was a pioneer of hydro-electric power and  designed the Causeway Tram system which ran between Portrush and the Giant's Causeway in 1883.

First published in September, 2012.

The Bedford Estate, Bloomsbury

According to Burke's Peerage, early records show familes bearing the name of RUSSELL established as landowners in different parts of Dorset. In 1189 mention is made in Ancient Deed A6708 of the Russells of Mappowder.

In 1436 William Russell, late of Mappowder, was styled Gentleman. About 1210, at Kingston Russell, Dorset, John Russell held Kingston as half a hide by the Serjeanty of being Marshal of The King's Buttery on Christmas Day and at Whitsuntide, a service which had originated in the time of the Conqueror.

His direst male descendants continued to hold Kingston until 1432, when the Russell lands were divided between Isabella and Margaret, daughters and co-heirs of Sir Maurice Russell, of whom Margaret married Sir Gilbert Denys of Gloucestershire.

In 1544 their descendant Maurice Denys sold the Manor of Kingston Russell to the Crown.

In March, 1559-60, the Crown in its turn sold it to Francis (Russell), 2nd Earl of Bedford.

In 1312, at Chilfrome, Dorset, James Russell brought a plea as to tenements there.

There were other Russells associated with the coastal district, particularly Melcombe and Weymouth, who were prominent in local affairs throughout the 14th century.

William Russell represented Melcombe Regis in the Parliament of 1340; Thomas Russell was MP for the same borough thrice between 1384 and 1390.

When Stephen Russell represented the borough of Weymouth in 1394 it was Thomas Russell who had stood surety for him.

THE ancestry of the RUSSELLS, Dukes of Bedford, cannot be strictly proved by documentary evidence beyond Stephen Russell, but from him the succession has always been from father to son or grandson.

Stephen was living in the time of RICHARD II and HENRY IV, and owned property in Dorchester and Weymouth and lands at Maiden Newton.

He was Bailiff of Weymouth in 1388-89.

In 1433 he was chosen, together with his son Henry, as one of the "potentes et valentes" men of Dorset who were to swear the oath to keep the peace in accordance with the decree made by the Parliament of that year.

He married, about 1400, Alice, granddaughter and heir of Cecily de Blynchesfield, who was holding the de Blynchesfield property in Shaftesbury and Stour Provost in 1382; and heir-general of Gregory de Turri, or de la Tour, who was holding the Manor of Berwick in Dorset before 1221.

In July, 1427, at the Dorchester Assizes, Stephen Russell claimed this manor in the name of his wife, Alice, as sole heir to the de la Tour family.

The claim was allowed, and the reversion of the Manor granted to Stephen and Alice, since when it has been held without a break by the head of the Russell family.

He died between June and October, 1438, leaving a son,

HENRY RUSSELL, born ca 1401, who was returned as MP for the Borough of Weymouth to the Parliaments of 1425, 1427, and 1441-2.

Within the county of Dorset he held at different times various important offices.

He wedded Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of John Herring, of Chaldon Herring, Dorset.

Henry Russell died 1463-4, leaving a son,

JOHN RUSSELL, born about 1431, who married, about 1449, Alice or Elizabeth Froxmere, probably of Droitwich, Worcestershire; and died in 1505, leaving an heir,

SIR JAMES RUSSELL, either son or nephew of John, who espoused Alice, daughter of John or Thomas Wyse, of Sydenham Damerel, near Tavistock, and died 1505, leaving a son,

JOHN RUSSELL (c1485-1555), of Berwick-by-Swyre, afterwards 1st Earl of Bedford, who married, 1526, Anne, daughter of Sir Guy Sapcote.

This John, 1st Earl of Bedford, acquired many thousands of acres round Tavistock, Devon, and Thorney, Cambridgeshire; Covent Garden and Long Acre in London; and Chenies in Buckinghamshire.

He was succeeded by his son and heir,

FRANCIS, 2nd Earl (c1527-85), KG, of Chenies, Buckinghamshire, and Bedford House, near Exeter, Devon, who married and had issue.

Bedford House, Strand, London (Image: eBay)

WILLIAM, 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford (1616-1700), KG, wedded, in 1637, Anne (born in the Tower of London, 1615), daughter and sole heiress of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, by whom he had issue, seven sons and three daughters, of whom

WILLIAM, styled Lord Russell, married, in 1669, the Lady Rachel Wriothesley, second daughter and eventual heir of Thomas, Earl of Southampton, owner of the lands at Bloomsbury, London.

Lady Rachel was widow of Francis, Lord Vaughan (through this marriage the Duke of Bedford represents the younger branch of the house of Cheyne of Chenies, Buckinghamshire).

Thus the Bloomsbury Estate came through marriage into the Russells, Dukes of Bedford, thereafter becoming known as the Bedford Estate.

It’s thought that the present Duke owns twenty acres in Bloomsbury.

Glenveagh Castle

JOHN GEORGE ADAIR OWNED 16,308 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

The family of ADAIR was settled in Scotland, and later in Ulster, for many generations. 

According to tradition, the family derived its descent from Thomas, 5th Earl of Desmond, who having gone on a hunting expedition, lost his way, and spent the night between Tralee and Newcastle, County Limerick, where he was received and hospitably entertained by William MacCormac, whose daughter he subsequently married. 

At this alliance his family and clan were much offended, and compelled him to flee to France, and resign his title and estates to his younger brother in 1418. He died of grief at Rouen, in 1420, where the two kings of England and France were present. 

The 5th Earl of Desmond had issue, Maurice and John. MAURICE had issue, Maurice and Robert. 

ROBERT returned to Ireland with the hope of regaining his family title and estates. 

This Robert killed Gerald, the White Knight (second son of Gerald, the then Earl of Desmond), in single combat, at Áth Dara (ford of the oaks), County Limerick, but was subsequently defeated and fled to Scotland, where he assumed the name of ADAIRE.

GEORGE ADAIR JP DL (1784-1823), of Bellegrove, and Rath, Queen's County (son of John Adair, of Rath), wedded, in 1822, Elizabeth, second daughter of the Very Rev Thomas Trench, Dean of Kildare, and had an only son,

JOHN GEORGE ADAIR (1823-85), of Glenveagh Castle, County Donegal, who married Mrs Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, widow of Montgomery Harrison Ritchie.

 
GLENVEAGH CASTLE, near Churchill, is described by Mark Bence-Jones thus:-

A Victorian-Baronial house of rough-hewn granite at the end of a wooded promontory jutting out into Lough Veagh, surrounded by the bare and desolate hills of a deer-forest, so large as to seem a world apart.

The Castle comprises a keep with battlements, flanked by a lower round tower and other buildings. The entrance is through a walled courtyard.

The formal garden boasts terraces with busts and statuary; with a bathing pool by the side of the lough; an Italian garden; a walled garden with a Gothic orangery; and a splendid variety of rare and exotic trees and shrubs.

Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of County Donegal.

It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes.

The park, 40,000 acres in extent, consists of three areas.

The largest of these is the former Glenveagh Estate, including most of the Derryveagh Mountains.

The Glenveagh estate was created in 1857-9 by the purchase of several smaller holdings by John George Adair, a wealthy land speculator originally from County Laois.

Mr Adair was later to incur infamy throughout the county by evicting some 244 tenants in the Derryveagh evictions of 1861.

After marrying his American-born wife Cornelia, Adair began the construction of Glenveagh Castle in 1867, which was completed by 1873.

Adair, however, was never to fulfil his dream of creating a hunting estate in the highlands of Donegal and died suddenly in 1885 on return from a business trip to America.

After her husband’s death, Cornelia Adair took over the running of the estate and introduced deer stalking in the 1890s.

She continually sought to improve the Castle’s comforts and the beauty of its grounds, carrying out major improvements to the estate and laying out the gardens.

Over the next thirty years she was to become a much noted society hostess and continued to spend summers at the castle until 1916.

Following the death of Mrs Adair in London in 1921, Glenveagh fell much into decline and was occupied by both the anti-treaty and Eire army forces during the Irish civil war.

Glenveagh’s next owner was not to be until 1929 when purchased by Professor Arthur Kingsley Porter of Harvard University who came to Ireland to study Irish archaeology and culture.

The Porters mainly entertained Irish literary and artistic figures, including his close friend AE Russell whose paintings still hang in the library of the castle.

Their stay was to be short, however, as Arthur Kingsley Porter mysteriously disappeared from Inishbofin Island in 1933 while visiting the island.

The last private owner was Henry McIlhenny (1910-86), of Philadelphia, USA, who bought the estate in 1937.

Mr McIlhenny was an Irish-American whose grandfather, John, grew up in Milford, a few miles north of Glenveagh.

After buying the estate, McIlhenny devoted much time to restoring the castle and developing its gardens.

Eventually he began to find travelling to and from Ireland too demanding and the upkeep of the estate was also becoming a strain.

In 1975, he agreed the sale of the estate to the Irish government, allowing for the creation of a national park.

In 1983 he donated the castle to the Irish state, along with its gardens and much of the contents.

Glenveagh National Park opened to visitors in 1984, while the Castle itself opened in 1986.

First Published in February, 2012.  Source: GLENVEIGH NATIONAL PARK.

13th Duke at Mount Stewart

I've been reading my 1960 hardback copy of A Silver-plated Spoon, by the 13th Duke of Bedford in 1959.

As a young man, the Duke paid a visit to Mount Stewart, the County Down seat of the Londonderrys.

This visit was most probably in the 1930s.

He sailed over to Ulster on the night-boat and, on arrival, was informed that the family was going yacht-sailing on Strangford Lough.

"I had always regarded Lady Londonderry as a very grand respectable person, and had seen her at Londonderry House at most formal parties." 

"Lord Londonderry used to get up very early in the morning and fly round and round the house at about half-past six in his aeroplane."

"They also had a pipe band patrolling round the house at dawn and round the dinner table at night, where of course the hideous noise stopped all conversation."

"I never did solve the tipping problem. At Woburn my grandfather had left printed notes everywhere telling guests not to tip the servants, but at Mount Stewart there was no such helpful advice, so in the end I left nothing, hoping for the best."

1st Baron Mountjoy

The origin and history of this most ancient and distinguished family has been elaborately investigated by Sir Alexander Croke, of Studley Priory, Oxfordshire, who traces it from the Counts of Guînes, in Picardy, France, a race of nobles descended themselves from the Scandinavian rulers of Denmark.

It gave birth to three distinct races of peers, viz. the Lords of Guînes, in France; the Barons of Ixworth, in Suffolk (which barony ceased with Sir William Blount, Baron of Ixworth, who was slain fighting under the banner of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, at the battle of Lewes, and subsequently attainted, by Parliament, in the reign of HENRY III); and the Barons Mountjoy, of Thurveston, Derbyshire, which barony expired in 1681.

RUDOLPH, 3rd Count of Guînes, had three sons by his wife, Rosetta, daughter of the Count of Saint-Pol, all of whom accompanied the NORMAN in his expedition against England, in 1066; and, contributing to the triumph of their chief, shared amply in the spoils of conquest.

One of the brothers returned to his native country; the other two adopted that which they had so gallantly helped to win, and abided there.

Of these,

SIR ROBERT LE BLOUNT was the first feudal Baron of Ixworth, but of him presently.

SIR WILLIAM LE BLOUNT was a general of foot at Hastings, and had grants of seven Lordships in Lincolnshire.

MARIA LE BLOUNT, sole heiress of her line, marrying, in the next century, SIR STEPHEN LE BLOUNT, united the families of the two brothers.

The elder son,

SIR ROBERT LE BLOUNT, had the command of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR's ships of war, and was styled "DUX NAVIUM MILITARIUM."

His portion of the Spolia Opima embraced thirteen manors in Suffolk, of which county he was the first feudal baron of Ixworth (the place of his abode), and Lord of Orford Castle.

Sir Robert married Gundreda, youngest daughter of Henry, Earl Ferrers, and had a son and heir,

GILBERT LE BLOUNT, 2nd Baron of Ixworth; from whom we pass to

WILLIAM LE BLOUNT, 6th Baron of Ixworth, who was standard-bearer to Simon de Montfort, and fell at the battle of Lewes, 1264.

He was attainted, and the Barony of Ixworth forfeited.

Sir William left no issue, so that the representation of the family devolved upon his uncle,

SIR STEPHEN LE BLOUNT, who wedded, as stated, MARIA LE BLOUNT, heiress of Saxlingham, and had two sons,

ROBERT, his heir;
JOHN.

The elder son,

SIR ROBERT BLOUNT, espoused Isobel, daughter and co-heir of the feudal Lord of Odinsels, by whom he acquired the Manor of Belton, Rutland, and had issue (with two other sons),

SIR WILLIAM BLOUNT, who married the Lady Isobel de Beauchamp, daughter of William, 1st Earl of Warwick, and had a son,

SIR WALTER LE BLOUNT, of Warwickshire, who wedded Johanna, third sister and co-heir of Sir William de Sodington, and acquired the Estate of Sodington, Worcestershire.

Sir Walter died in 1332, and was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR WILLIAM LE BLOUNT, who wedded Margaret, daughter and co-heir of Theobald, 2nd Baron de Verdon, but dying issueless, left his property to his brother,

SIR JOHN BLOUNT, of Sodington, who espoused Isolda, daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Mountjoy, of Derbyshire, whence the title of MOUNTJOY was afterwards assumed as a barony by a member of the family.

Sir John's third son,

SIR WALTER BLOUNT, was father of

SIR THOMAS BLOUNT (1378-1456), who wedded Margery, daughter of Thomas Gresley, and had issue,

Thomas (Sir), 1414-68;
WALTER, of whom hereafter;
Agnes.

The younger son,

SIR WALTER BLOUNT KG (c1416-74), of Thurveston, Derbyshire, espoused firstly, before 1443, Helena, daughter of Sir John Byron, of Clayton, Lancashire, and had issue,

WILLIAM (1442-71), father of EDWARD, 2nd Baron;
JOHN, 3rd Baron;
James;
Edward;
Anne; Elizabeth.

He married secondly, ca 1467, Anne, widow of Humphrey, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

Sir Walter was elevated to the peerage, in 1465, in the dignity of BARON MOUNTJOY.

His lordship's eldest son, William, was slain at the battle of Barnet, 1471, and he was succeeded by his grandson,

EDWARD, 2nd Baron (1464-75), who dsp, and was succeeded by his uncle,

JOHN, 3rd Baron (c1450-85), who married, ca 1477, Lora, daughter of Edward Berkeley,  and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Roland;
Lora; Constance.

THE family line passed uninterruptedly until we come to

CHARLES, 8th Baron (1563-1606), KG, LORD DEPUTY OF IRELAND, 1600-3, LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND, 1603-4, who was created, in 1603, EARL OF DEVONSHIRE.

The 1st Earl died without legitimate issue at Savoy House, London, when the titles expired.

MOUNTJOY CASTLE is located near the village of Mountjoy, County Tyrone, on a hill overlooking Lough Neagh.

The castle was built by the 8th Baron Mountjoy in 1602, and partly burned in 1643 by Captain Turlough Gruama O'Quin.

It is a two-storey brick building and the lower storey is stone-faced on the outside.

The castle comprises a central rectangular block with four spear-shaped angle towers with gun loops.

The northwest tower is partly demolished and the west curtain wall destroyed.

The entrance was on the south side of the east curtain wall.

On the first floor there are some wide windows.

Mountjoy Fort

MOUNTJOY FORT, which stood near the castle on the south-western edge of Lough Neagh, was discovered by a team of archeologists in 2018.

First published in July, 2018.