Tyrone Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE county is copiously watered by the numerous branches of the Foyle, which, under the names of the Munterloney, the Poe, the Mourne, the Camowen, the Owenkillew, and the Owenreagh, rise in the mountainous central districts: the Derg joins the Mourne from a lough of its own name; the Burn Dennet empties itself into the Foyle near the northern boundary of the county.

The Foyle, which forms part of the western boundary, is navigable to St Johnston, and thence by an artificial navigation between three and four miles farther up to Strabane.

The Ballinderry river forms part of the north-eastern boundary.

Ballinderry River at Coagh Bridge (Green Collection/NMNI)

The Blackwater, which forms part of the southern boundary, and discharges itself into Lough Neagh, is navigable to Moy and Blackwatertown: near the mouth of this river a canal proceeds from the lake to Coalisland, and more than half a century since was partially opened above Newmills, but this latter part of the undertaking was abandoned before the canal was completed.

The beauty of the scenery in several parts is much enhanced by woods and plantations.

Large tracts of land near Baronscourt, and Rash or Mountjoy Forest, have been planted since 1795.

Near Augher and Favour Royal there are considerable natural woods, and throughout the greater part of the county the soil appears disposed to throw up a spontaneous growth of timber, but in too many instances the young trees are neglected and the cattle suffered to browse upon them.

Near Strabane are many large and well-stocked orchards.

First published in December, 2023.

White's Tavern

Prospect of White’s Tavern from Lombard Street entrance

WHITE'S TAVERN, Winecellar Entry, Belfast, is a three-storey rendered public house of ca 1790 facing onto the courtyard of Winecellar Entry.

The style is urban vernacular, though the fenestration is fairly regular.

The roof is covered with Bangor Blue slates, with the ridge parallel to Lombard Street; eaves with ogee gutter.

the front elevation is rendered and painted with slight texture; shallow frames surround most windows, and projecting cills.

Windows are contemporary, typically two-over-two, quite regularly spaced in six bays.

the ground floor is more irregular, with four windows close together, one much smaller window and three doors.

Modern ornamental iron grilles protect the windows at ground and first floor levels

Quoin-stones are at each end of the terrace.

The building is “landlocked,” being enclosed on three sides.

THE STUMP of a bollard of some antiquity survives in Winecellar Entry, at the corner of the courtyard near White's Tavern. Marcus Patton suggests that it might be what remains of an old cannon.

White's claims to be Belfast's oldest tavern.

The first building on the current site is believed to have been established as early as 1630, according to popular tradition.

It is thought that the original structure on the site was erected in 1630 by Thomas Kane.

There is, however, no documentary evidence that accurately supports this construction date.

The 1685 map of Belfast records that Winecellar Entry did not even exist in the mid-17th century.

The map shows that the area between High Street, Bridge Street and Waring Street was utilised as yard and garden space, whilst there were no standalone buildings depicted within the area which later became Winecellar Entry.

Another theory suggests that the Bateson family established a wine and spirit store in the vicinity during the late-1600s.

The current building does not date from the mid-17th century, but actually dates from the late-18th century, when the previous structure was demolished and reconstructed by VALENTINE JONES.

Mr Jones, a wine merchant, constructed "two good and substantial messuages or tenements of brick and lime, three stories high.”

Marcus Patton OBE states that Winecellar Entry was known in 1715 as 'Bigart's Alley'.

I wonder if this entry was more likely to have been named after James Bigger, a prominent merchant in Belfast at the time.

The alley was renamed Winecellar Entry by the early-19th century due to the number of wine cellars that had been established along the alley.

During the early-19th century the wine and spirit store changed hands with great frequency.

In 1803, the property came into the possession of James Napier, and was later controlled by William Park & Co.

John Kane was the sole wine merchant recorded in 1824; however, by the 1830s the premises were occupied by Messrs John Murphy & Co.

Winecellar Entry ca 1845

By 1852, the property was occupied by Hugh White and his trading partner, James Neil.

In that year the site was recorded as "Neil & White - Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants.”

Neil and White continued to work in partnership until at least the early-1860s.

James Neil left the partnership between 1861-68, when Hugh White took over the wine and spirit stores, giving the building its current name, although the establishment was then known as Hugh White & Co.

Mr White died in 1882; however, the licensed stores continued to operate under his full name for a century until the 1960s.

Winecellar Entry in 2022 (Timothy Ferres)

Since the early-19th century, the building on Winecellar Entry was not referred to as a public house but operated as a licensed wholesale store.

A section of the building operated as The Temperance Hotel in the 1870s.

It is not known precisely when Hugh White's wine and spirit store was converted into a public house; however, in 1900 the building included a public house which was open for six days of the week, but was required to close early.

Mr White continued to sell wine and spirits wholesale.

The premises were renamed White's Tavern in 1962, when the building was renovated.

White's Tavern underwent a major restoration and heavy redecoration in the 1980s, when

"...the style of both the exterior and the interior [was] designed to reflect the rich heritage of one of Belfast's oldest drinks emporiums."

Sir Charles Brett, writing in 1985, criticised the renovation, noting that

"Until quite recently it combined the picturesque and the practical to perfection with its heavy timbered bays, barred windows and roof hoist. Unfortunately it has recently been disastrously restored in "Ye Olde" style; the outside boasts a poker-work inn-sign, the interior is replete with arty brass and electric bulbs in bogus lanterns."

The Tavern was acquired by the owners of the Merchant Hotel ca 2013.

In 2019 the bar was acquired by the Clover Group.

The exterior of the building affords little of great interest today, architecturally or aesthetically.

First published in February, 2015.

Belfast Antiquities

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THERE are no remains of antiquity in the town, though some are scattered over the parish: near Stranmillis, on the Lagan, was an ancient chapel, called Capella de Kilpatrick; on the summit of a hill on Upper Malone was the Capella de Crookmuck.

Near Callender's Fort, on the Falls Road, about two miles from the town, was that of Cranock, of which traces of the foundations and a large cemetery are still remaining; and on the same road, the chapel of Kilwee, where numerous elegantly carved crosses and other sepulchral monuments have been found.

About three miles on the Carrickfergus road is a small fragment of an ancient fortress, called Greencastle; in Upper Malone was an extensive fort called Castle Cam, or Freeston Castle, on the site of which the elegant mansion of Malone House has been erected.

At a small distance on the left of the road to Shaw's Bridge are seen the foundations of a third fort; in the grounds of Malone, near Lismoyne, are the remains of a fourth; and in the burial ground at Friar's Bush are the remains of a fifth.

AMONG the most curious relics of antiquity are the caves in various places formed in the earth and in the hard limestone rock; of the former, three were discovered in 1792 at Wolf Hill.

On the side of a small hill on the townland of Ballymagarry is one of larger dimensions; and near Hannahstown is one still larger, which since 1798 has been closed, having at that time been a place of concealment for arms.

Three large caves, which give name to the mountain called Cavehill, are all formed in the perpendicular face of an immense range of basaltic rock.

THE large ramparts of earth, called raths, or forts, are also numerous: of these the most extensive is McArt's Fort, on the summit of Cavehill, protected on one side by a precipice, and on the others by a single ditch of great depth and a vallum of large dimensions.

Near the base of Squires Hill are many smaller raths, and two of large dimensions almost on the summit of Black Mountain; and near the shore, at Fortwilliam, is an encampment, 70 feet square, surrounded by a deep fosse and defended by a bastion at each angle, and said to have been thrown up by WILLIAM III in 1690; near it is another entrenchment of ruder construction.

There are two large cairns on Black Mountain, in one of which, in 1829, was found a large urn filled with calcined human bones, a spear head, and two ornaments of brass; there is also a cairn on Cavehill, and one on Squires Hill.

Great numbers of stone and flint hatchets, and arrow heads of flint, have been discovered; and brazen celts and quern-stones, or hand millstones, are occasionally found. 

Mohill Castle

THE CROFTON BARONETS, OF MOHILL, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LEITRIM, WITH 9,590 ACRES

JOHN CROFTON, of Mote, County Roscommon, Escheator-General in the reign of ELIZABETH I (descended from the Lords Crofton, of Crofton, Lancashire), married, ca 1565, Jane, sister of Sir Henry Duke, Knight, and had issue,

Edward;
John;
William;
HENRY.

The youngest son,

HENRY CROFTON, of Mohill Castle, County Leitrim, upon whom his father settled the castle and lands of Mohill, 1607, obtained a patent from CHARLES I, erecting Mohill into a manor.

Armorial bearings of Anne, 1st Baroness Crofton

By Ursula Moore, his wife, he left at his decease, in 1643, a son, his successor,

THOMAS CROFTON, of Mohill, who wedded, in 1707, Bridget, daughter of Hugh Morgan, of Cottlestown, and died in 1738, having had issue,

Thomas, dsp 1729;

HUGH, of whom presently;

Elizabeth.

He was succeeded by his second son,

HUGH CROFTON, (c1709-67) of Mohill, MP for County Leitrim, 1743-60, who wedded, in 1730, Anne, daughter of George Crofton, of Lisnadern, and had three sons and a daughter, Elizabeth.

Mr Crofton was succeeded by his second surviving son, 

MORGAN CROFTON (1733-1802), of Mohill, who was created a baronet in 1801, designated of Mohill, County Leitrim.

He married Jane, youngest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Henri D'Abzac, of the family of Count of Périgord, and had issue,

HUGH, of whom presently;
Henry, in holy orders;
Morgan, grandfather of Lt-Col James Crofton;
Anne Magdalene; Jane.

Sir Morgan was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR HUGH CROFTON, 2nd Baronet (1763-1834), of Mohill Castle, who married, in 1787, Frances, youngest daughter of Ralph Smyth, of Barbarvilla, County Westmeath, and had issue,

MORGAN GEORGE, his heir;
Hugh;
Ralph;
Henry William;
Augustus;
Charles;
Richard Maximilian;
Parsons;
Frances; Jane; Barbara; Anne Digby.

Sir Hugh was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MORGAN GEORGE CROFTON, 3rd Baronet (1850-1900), who wedded Emily, daughter of the Rt Hon Denis Daly, of Dunsandle, County Galway, and had issue,

HUGH DENIS, his heir;
Denis.

• Sir Hugh Denis Crofton, 5th Baronet (1878–1902);
• Sir Morgan George Crofton, 6th Baronet (1879–1958);
• Sir Patrick Simon Crofton, 7th Baronet (1936–87);
• Sir (Hugh) Denis Crofton, 8th Baronet (b 1937).

The heir presumptive is the present holder's brother, Edward Morgan Crofton (b 1945).

*****

MOHILL CASTLE, Mohill, County Leitrim, was stated to have been a simple early house with tall gable ends, adjacent to the village of Mohill.

It was occupied for a period in the 19th century by the Kane family.

Unfortunately I have no images of Mohill Castle.

An 18th century house stands on the site of the castle.

This may be, or have been known as Mohill House.

First published in December, 2012.

Drumbo

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

DRUMBO, or Drumboe, a parish, in the barony of Upper Castlereagh, County Down, four miles from Lisburn, on the River Lagan, and on the old road to Belfast.

Twelve townlands of the ancient parish having been lately annexed to Drumbeg, it now comprises 9629 statute acres, chiefly arable, with a very small proportion of woodland, and, except lands belonging to gentlemen who farm their own property, in a very indifferent state of cultivation, though lately much improved: there is a large tract of bog.

The weaving of cotton is carried on for the manufacturers of Belfast; and at Edenderry is a bleach-green.

The Lagan opens a communication with Belfast, Lisburn, and Lough Neagh.

Belvedere House (Image: Belfast Live)

The principal seats are Edenderry, the residence of W Russell; Edenderry House, of C Dunlop; Belvedere, of A Durham; New Grove, of J Russell; and the elegant lodge and greater part of the demesne of Purdysburn, the splendid residence of Narcissus Batt.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Down, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £517.

The glebe house was built in 1816; the glebe comprises 6½ acres.

Drumbo Presbyterian Church (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

The church, a handsome Grecian edifice with a lofty tower surmounted by a copper dome, was erected in 1788, by subscription, aided by a grant of £500 from the Board of First Fruits, a donation of 150 guineas from Mr Hull, of Belvedere, and of 100 guineas from the Marquess of Downshire.

There are places of worship for Presbyterians, Independents, and Methodists.

Ballymacbrennan schoolhouse (Image: Belfast Telegraph)

Nearly 600 children are educated in the several public schools of the parish; that at Purdysburn was built at the expense of Mr Batt, who supports the school and also provides residences for the master and mistress, who have about 150 pupils; and the master of a school at Ballymacbrennan receives £20 per annum from the trustees of Erasmus Smith's fund, and has an acre of land given by the Marquess of Downshire.

There are also six private schools, in which there are about 400 children.

Giant's Ring: image of a painting in the Welch Collection/NMNI

Not far from the parish church is the Giant's Ring, a circular entrenchment enclosing more than eight plantation acres, perfectly level; in the centre of the enclosure is a large cromlech, or Druids' altar, consisting of seven upright stones supporting a table stone of nearly circular form and sloping towards the east: the land is now let, and the earthwork is being removed for the purpose of cultivation.

Drumbo ca 1830 (historic OS map).  Click to enlarge

In the burial ground close to the supposed site of the ancient church was an abbey, said to have been founded by St Patrick, and of which St Mochumna was the first abbot; there is also an ancient round tower.

Drumbo Round Tower (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

In the parish are eight large raths, the most conspicuous of which, on the summit of Tullyard, is constructed of earth, loose stones, and vitrified substances, similar to the cairns of Scotland.

It is supposed by some writers that there was anciently a fortified town here.

Moira Castle

(Image: Royal Irish Academy)

Here is a rare painting of Moira Castle in County Down, former seat of the RAWDONS, EARLS OF MOIRA. 

Moira Castle, as described by Burke's, was

A large, three-storey, 18th century house with a nine-bay front, consisting of a five-bay centre and a two-bay extension, slightly higher than the centre, on either side.

Only the roof of the centre section was visible: The roofs of the side bays were either flat, or concealed by the massive cornices with which these bays were surmounted.

The mansion had a pedimented and rusticated doorway; curved end bows.

The front was prolonged by single-storey wings on either side, ending in piers with urns.

The Rawdons sold their Moira demesne to SIR ROBERT BATESON Bt in 1805 and moved to Montalto estate, near Ballynahinch, in the same county.

It is thought that Moira Castle was ruinous by the 1830s.

*****

THE water-colour above is by Gabriel Beranger (1729-1817).

Beranger was born in 1729 at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

He moved to Dublin in 1750 to join other family members.

In 1756, he married his cousin Louise Beranger (d 1782), and shortly afterwards opened a print shop at St Stephen's Green.

Beranger became acquainted with several members of Dublin society who were then taking a great interest in Irish history and antiquities. In 1773 he and his antiquarian friends made the first of their tours through Ireland.

Beranger's wife died in April, 1782, and in June of that year, he married Elizabeth Mestayer.

In the early 1780s, he obtained a job as assistant ledger-keeper in the exchequer office.

In later years his circumstances were eased after he inherited part of a fortune amassed in India by his brother-in-law, Colonel Mestayer.

Gabriel Beranger died at a house in St Stephen's Green in 1817.

First published in March, 2011.

The McMahon Baronetcy

THE McMAHON BARONETS, OF DUBLIN, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY TYRONE, WITH 16,326 ACRES 

JOHN McMAHON, patentee Comptroller of the Port of Limerick, by his first wife had issue, a son,

John, cr a baronet, 1817, designated of Ashley Manor.

He wedded secondly, in 1771, Mary, daughter of James Stackpole, of Cork, and had further issue,

WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Thomas (Lieutenant-General Sir), 2nd Baronet, of Ashley Manor.

John McMahon was butler to Robert, Earl of Leitrim, who granted him the position of Comptroller of the Port of Limerick.

The elder son,

WILLIAM McMAHON (1776-1837), having been bred to the Bar, was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and sworn of the Privy Council.

Mr McMahon was created a baronet in 1815, designated of Dublin.

He married firstly, in 1807, Frances, daughter of Beresford Burston, of the Irish Bar, and one of His Majesty's Counsel, and had issue,

BERESFORD BURSTON, his successor;
William John, b 1811.

Sir William wedded secondly, in 1814, Charlotte, daughter of Robert Shaw, of Dublin, and sister of Sir Robert Shaw Bt, and had further issue,

Robert;
Augustus;
Charles;
George;
Charlotte; Louisa; Wilhelmina.

The eldest son, 

SIR BERESFORD BURSTON McMAHON, 2nd Baronet (1808-73), of Fortfield House, Captain, Scots Fusilier Guards, espoused, in 1838, Maria Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Bateson Bt, of Belvoir Park, Belfast, and had issue,

WILLIAM SAMUEL, his successor;
Robert Bateson, died unmarried;
Beresford Burston, died unmarried;
Gerald Charles, died unmarried;
LIONEL, 4th Baronet;
Catherine Charlotte; Frances Thomasine;
Maria Constance Georgiana; Nina Gertrude.

Sir Beresford was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM SAMUEL McMAHON, 3rd Baronet (1839-1905), DP DL, of Mountfield Lodge, County Tyrone, Captain, 2nd Life Guards, attaché to the British Legation at Munich, who died unmarried and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR LIONEL McMAHON, 4th Baronet (1856-1926), DL, who wedded, in 1888, Anne Celia Austin-Cooke, though the marriage was without issue.

Sir Lionel was Lieutenant in the 58th Regiment; fought in the Zulu War, 1879; admitted to Inner Temple, entitled to practice as a barrister; DL of County Tyrone; High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1914.

On his death, the baronetcy became extinct.

Sir Charles McMahon (1824-91), Knight, youngest son of the 1st Baronet, was born at Omagh, County Tyrone and served with the army in Canada and India. In 1853, he went to Australia and was became Melbourne's Chief Commissioner of Police.

At one time his remarkably successful business deals were called into question, but he survived the accusations and was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly and was knighted in 1875. Sir Charles was born at Fecarry Lodge, Omagh, County Tyrone.

*****

THE VILLAGE of Mountfield, near Omagh, was developed mainly in the 1800s by the 1st Baronet in order to rival Omagh.

The McMahons lived at Fecarry Lodge, near the village.

The area was acquired in 1846, following the sale of the Blessington estate.

The 1st Baronet initially built Fecarry Lodge; Mountfield Lodge was built later.

In 1911, the 3rd Baronet's address was listed as Mountfield Lodge; and he also had a London home at 214 Finchley Road, Hampstead.

First published in  November, 2010.  McMahon arms courtesy of the NLI.

1st Duke of Wharton

DUKEDOM OF WHARTON

1718-31

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, on the banks of the river Eden, Westmorland, living during the reign of HENRY V, Lord of the manors of Wharton and Nateby, in Kirkby Stephen, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Musgrave, Knight, of Hartley Castle, Westmorland, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;

Gilbert.

The elder son, 

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton and Croglin, wedded the daughter of Lowther, of Lowther, and had issue,

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, who espoused Alice, daughter of Sir John Conyers, Knight, of Hornby, Yorkshire, and had issue,

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton, who married Agnes (or Margaret), daughter of Reginald Warcop, of Swerdale, Westmorland, and had issue, of whom the elder son,

SIR THOMAS WHARTON (1495-1568), Knight, Governor of the town and castle of Carlisle, was summoned to Parliament, in 1545, as Baron Wharton.

His lordship married firstly, Eleanor, daughter of Sir Bryan Stapleton, of Wighill, Yorkshire; and secondly, in 1561, the Lady Anne Talbot, daughter of Francis, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury.

He was succeeded by an elder son and successor (having had issue by the former wife only), 

THOMAS, 2nd Baron (1520-72), who wedded Anne, younger daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Sussex, and had issue, a son and successor,

PHILIP, 3rd Baron (1555-1625), who espoused firstly, in 1577, Frances, second daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, and had, with three daughters, two sons,

George;
Thomas.

His lordship married secondly, Dorothy Colby; and thirdly, the Lady Anne Manners, daughter of John, 4th Earl of Rutland.

The 2nd Baron's sons having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson,

PHILIP, 4th Baron (1613-96), who married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Rowland Wandesford, Knight, of Pickhay, Yorkshire, and had issue, an only daughter, ELIZABETH.

4th Baron Wharton, by Anthony van Dyck
(Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA)

His lordship wedded secondly, Jane, daughter and heir of Colonel Arthur Goodwin, of Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Goodwin, MP;
Henry;
Anne; Margaret; Mary; Philadelphia.

The 4th Baron espoused thirdly, Mrs Anne Popham.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 5th Baron (1648-1715), who was created, in 1706, Viscount Winchendon and Earl of Wharton; and, 1715, advanced to the dignities of Marquess of Malmesbury and Marquess of Wharton; and at the same time was made a peer of Ireland, as Baron Trim, Earl of Rathfarnham, and Marquess of Catherlough.

Allegorical Tomb of Thomas, 1st Marquess of Wharton
Photo Credit: Government Art Collection

His lordship espoused firstly, Anne, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir Henry Lee Bt, of Ditchley, Oxfordshire; and secondly, Lucy, only daughter and heiress of Adam, 1st Viscount Lisburne, and besides two daughters, Lucy and Jane, an only son,

PHILIP, 2nd Marquess (1698-1731), who was created, in 1718, DUKE OF WHARTON.

His Grace married firstly, Martha, daughter of Major-General Richard Holmes, and had issue, an only child, Thomas, who died in infancy. 

He wedded secondly, Maria Theresa O'Neill, daughter of Colonel Henry O'Beirne, an Irish officer in the Spanish Service, but had no issue.

His Grace, the celebrated and witty Duke of Wharton, was attainted, 1729, and died in a Spanish monastery in 1731, when all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Wharton which became abeyant between the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Baron Willoughby de Eresby, and Colonel Charles Kemeys-Tynte.

• Jane Wharton, 7th Baroness Wharton (1706–61) (became sole heir 1739; abeyant on her death);

• Charles Theodore Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 8th Baron (1876–1934) (abeyance terminated 1916);

• Charles John Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 9th Baron (1908–69);

• Elisabeth Dorothy Kemeys-Tynte, 10th Baroness (1906–74) (abeyant on her death);

• Myrtle Olive Felix Robertson, 11th Baroness (1934–2000) (abeyance terminated 1990);

• Myles Christopher David Robertson, 12th Baron.

The heir presumptive is the Hon Meghan Robertson (b 2006).

Former seat ~ Winchendon Manor, Buckinghamshire.

First published in September, 2017.  Wharton arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

County Down Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

The principal rivers are the Bann and the Lagan, neither of which is navigable within the limits of the county: the former has its source in two neighbouring springs in that part of the Mourne Mountains called the Deer's Meadow, and quits this county for Armagh, which it enters near Portadown, where it communicates with the Newry Canal.

The Lagan has also two sources, one on Slieve Croob, and the other in Slievenaboley, which unite near Waringsford: near the Maze it becomes the boundary between the counties of Down and Antrim, in its course to Belfast Lough.

There are also the Newry River and the Ballynahinch river, the former of which rises near Rathfriland, and falls into Carlingford Lough; and the latter derives its source from four small lakes, and empties itself into the south-western branch of Strangford Lough.

This county enjoys the benefit of two canals, viz. the Newry navigation, along its western border, connecting Carlingford Lough with Lough Neagh; and the Lagan navigation which extends from the tideway at Belfast along the northern boundary of the county, and enters Lough Neagh near that portion of the shore included within its limits.

The Lagan Canal, being partly through the bed of the Lagan, its passage is so much impeded by floods as to detract much from the benefits anticipated from its formation.

First published in December, 2023.

Cuppage of Mount Edwards

THE CUPPAGES OWNED 5,560 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM

The family of CUPPAIDGE came originally from Germany, and the first member of it on record is FAUSTUS CUPPAIDGE, who removed from England to Ulster in 1604, and after the settlement, obtained the estate near Coleraine, County Londonderry.

This Faustus Cuppaidge had, with other issue,

STEPHEN, of whom hereafter;

Faustus;

Robert.

The second son,

STEPHEN CUPPAIDGE or CUPPAGE, represented the borough of Coleraine in Parliament, 1664.

His grandson,

THE VERY REV GEORGE CUPPAGE, Dean of Connor, 1739-43, accompanied Admiral Edward Vernon on the celebrated expedition to Porto Bello in 1730, as private chaplain, and was rewarded for his services by the City of London, with presentation of the living of Coleraine.

He married Miss Burke, great-aunt of the celebrated Edmund Burke, and had a son,

THE REV BURKE CUPPAGE, Rector of Coleraine, wedded Miss Kirkpatrick, and was father of

GENERAL WILLIAM CUPPAGE (1756-1832), of Shooter's Hill, who espoused Mrs Cairnes (née Nicholls), and had a son,

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR BURKE CUPPAGE KCB (1794-1877), Royal Artillery, Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, 1863, who married Emily Anne, fourth daughter of General Sir John and Lady Emily Mcleod, and had issue,

Robert, killed in the Indian Mutiny;

Burke, 21st Hussars, died 1864;

Emily; Jane; both of Hampton Court Palace.

*****

JOHN CUPPAGE (c1700-c1751), of Cloghglass or Retreat Castle, a younger son of the above-mentioned Stephen Cuppaidge MP, acquired a fortune, and purchased an estate in County Antrim.

Part of his property called Garden Hill (now LESLIE HILL) was sold by his son,

THE REV ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1727-72), who wedded Mary, sister of Colonel Boyd, MP for Antrim County.

Mr Cuppage was drowned between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, and was succeeded in the possession of the remaining portion of his property by Elizabeth, the daughter of his eldest son, who married her second cousin John Cuppage, and was mother of Adam Cuppage, of Glenbank, County Antrim.

The Rev A Cuppage's younger son,

GENERAL ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1762-1848), of Clare Grove, County Dublin, and Mount Edwards, County Antrim, wedded Clarinda, sister of Major-General Sir Charles Bruce KCB, and had issue, ten children, of whom one of his sons,

EDMOND FLOYD CUPPAGE (1809-64), of Mount Edwards, who espoused firstly, in 1832, Louisa Elizabeth, daughter of George Thompson, of Clonskeagh Castle, County Dublin, and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his heir;

George William, of Riverston, Co Meath; father of EDMOND VERNON CUPPAGE;

Edmond;

Hamlet Wade;

Ellen Sophia (1840-58).

He espoused secondly, Susan, daughter of Henry Garnett, of Green Park, County Meath, and had further issue,

Edmond Francis (1850-69), drowned in the Red Sea;

Alice Clarinda.

Mr Cuppage was succeeded by his eldest son,

ALEXANDER CUPPAGE (1833-1907), of Mount Edwards, Lieutenant, 4th Dragoon Guards, who died unmarried.

His nephew,

EDMOND VERNON CUPPAGE (1866-1908), of Clare Hall, County Dublin, and Mount Edwards, Major, South Staffordshire Regiment, died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

GRANVILLE WILLIAM VERNON CUPPAGE (1867-1940), of Mount Edwards, who married firstly, in 1898, Marion Gwendoline, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel A J G Kane, USA; and secondly, in 1909, Edith Madeleine, only daughter of Frederick Murray Reade, by whom he had issue, an only child,

EDWARD READE VERNON.

Mr Cuppage emigrated to Canada, and held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Lands and Works, Victoria, British Columbia.

His only son,

EDWARD READE VERNON CUPPAGE (1911-), of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, married Audrey Shirley, daughter of George Frederick Tennant, and had issue,

Burke Edward Bailey, b 1939;

George Wilfred, b 1951;

Shirley Madeleine, b 1944.

MOUNT EDWARDS, south of Cushendall, County Antrim, is described by Mark Bence-Jones in Burke's Guide to Country Houses as,

"An old, plain, two-storey house, deep in relation to its length; described in 1819 as "one of those old snug farmhouses that was built by gentlemen who got tracts of land, in former days, from the Antrim family." 

"Many improvements wee carried out at that period by Samuel Boyd; by 1835 Mount Edwards had been acquired by General Alexander Cuppage, who used it as a summer residence."

Do any readers have images of Mount Edwards?

First published in December, 2023.

Fermanagh Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE only river of any consequence is the Erne, which, entering the county a short distance from Belturbet, flows into Lough Erne at its southern extremity, and, after passing Belleek at its northern extremity, discharges itself into Donegal Bay at Ballyshannon; all the other rivers empty themselves into Lough Erne.

River Erne at Belleek (Green Collection/NMNI)

The Finn is navigable for boats as far as Cumber Bridge, on the confines of Monaghan; the Pettigo and the  Omna rise near Lough Derg, in Donegal, and after uniting their streams fall into the lake a mile south of the town of Pettigo.

The Sillees rises near Church Hill, and takes a southern direction to the lake.

There are upwards of 50 smaller streams, all contributing to augment the waters of the great central reservoir.

The Ulster Canal, intended to unite Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, will enter this county from Monaghan, not far from Clones; thence proceeding towards Belturbet, it is to fall into Lough Erne.

The roads are numerous, but for the most part badly laid out; many of them are flooded during winter, exceedingly inconvenient, and kept in indifferent repair.

First published in December, 2023.

Brittas Castle

THE DUNNES WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN THE QUEEN'S COUNTY, WITH 9,215 ACRES

The estate of Brittas was time immemorial in the ancient family of DUNNE, anciently O'Doinn, chief of the name, and a sept of historic note. The O'Doinns occur frequently in the works of James MacGeoghegan, in the Annals of the Four Masters, and the other Irish authorities. 

RORY O'DOINN, Chief of I-Regan, died, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, in 1427, and was father of

LENAGH O'DOINN, Chief of I-Regan, who built Castlebrack, in the Queen's County.

He married a daughter of O'Neill of Ulster and had issue,

TEIG, of whom hereafter;
Falie.

The elder son,

TEIG O'DOINN, Chief of Iregan, wedded firstly, Ellen, daughter of "Lord Power", and had issue,

TEIG (OGE), of whom presently;
Rory;
Edmundboy;
Shane;
Cahir.

 eldest son,

TEIG (Oge) O'DOINN, Chief of Iregan, espoused firstly, Gormla, daughter of O'Connor Faile, and had issue,

Brien, dsp;
TEIGH (REOGH), of whom we treat;
Edmund, of Park;
Dermot.

He married secondly, Giles, daughter of MacGillepatrick, of Upper Ossory, and had further issue,

Donogh;
Cormac;
Cahir;
Dermot.

The second son,

TEIGH (REOGH) or THADY O'DOINN, of Iregan, had a grant of English liberty for himself and his issue, in 1551.

He wedded a daughter of McMorrish, and had issue,

THADY or TEIG (OGE), his successor;
TORLOGH or TERENCE, of whom presently;
Donagh, of Gurtin and Balliglass, living 1570;
Phelim;
Finola.

The eldest son,

THADY (or TEIG OGE) O'DOINN, of Tenchinch and Castlebrack, appointed Captain of Iregan, 1558, made settlements of his estates in 1590, 1591, and 1593, and was living in 1601.

He wedded Elizabeth, daughter of James FitzGerald, of Ballysonan, County Kildare, and had issue,

TEIG (LOGHA) or TEIG OGE, or THADY, his heir;
Cormac;
Brian or Barnaby;
CAHIR or CHARLES, of whom presently;
Murtogh;
Grany;
Two daughters.

The eldest son,

TEIGH (LOGHA) or THADY O'DOYNE (-1637), of Castlebrack, surrendered his estate, 1611, and had a regrant of the greater portion in 1611.

He espoused firstly, Margaret, daughter of Shane O'Neill, who left him and married Cuconaght Maguire, and had by her a son, Teige reogh or Thady, dsp before 1635.

He married secondly, Ellis, daughter of Redmond FitzGerald, of Clonbolg, County Kildare, and had seven sons who survived infancy,

Edmund or Edward, dsp before 1635;
John, dsp before 1635;
William, of Park;
Richard, in holy orders; Vicar-General of Kildare;
James;
Rory or Roger;
Torlogh.

We now return to

CAHIR O'DOINN, alias CHARLES DUNN, LL.D, fourth son of Thady O'Doinn, Captain of Iregan, Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, 1593, Master in Chancery, 1602, MP, 1613, Vice-Chancellor, 1614.

He petitioned against the regrant of Iregan to his brother and got a grant to himself of Brittas and portion of the Iregan estates, which he bequeathed by his will, dated 1617, to his nephew,

BARNABY or BRIAN OGE DUNN (1590-1661), of Brittas, High Sheriff of Queen's County in 1623.

He obtained from CHARLES I a patent for a large estate in the barony of Tinnahinch, to hold to him and his heirs for ever in soccage, provided that he did not take the name, style, or title of O'DOINN, and that he should drop that same and call himself BRIAN DUNN.

He married Sybella, daughter of Sir Robert Piggott, Knight, of Dysart, and widow of Richard Cosby, of Stradbally, both in the Queen's County, and was succeeded by his son,

CAHIR or CHARLES DUNNE, of Brittas, who wedded Margaret, sister of John Coghlan, of Birr, and had issue,

TERENCE, his heir;
Edward;
John;
Charles;
Daniel;
Mary; Peggy; Polly; Clare.

Mr Dunne died in 1680, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

TERENCE DUNNE, of Brittas, a captain in Moore's Regiment of Infantry, who fought for JAMES II and fell at Aughrim in 1691.

He espoused, in 1676, Margaret, daughter of Daniel Byrne, and sister of Sir Gregory Byrne, 1st Baronet, MP for Ballinakill, and had issue,

DANIEL, of Brittas;
Charles, dsp;
Barnaby;
EDWARD, of whom presently;
Dorothy.

The fourth son,

EDWARD DUNNE, of Brittas, married, in 1730, Margaret, daughter of Francis Wyse, of the Manor of St John, County Waterford, and had issue,

FRANCIS, his heir;
Barnaby, dsp;
Anastasia; Juliana; Margaret; Mary.

Mr Dunne died in 1765, and was succeeded by his elder son,

FRANCIS DUNNE, who wedded, in 1760, his cousin, Margaret, daughter and co-heir of Nicholas Plunkett, of Dunsoghly Castle, County Dublin, by Alice his wife, daughter and co-heir of Daniel Dunne (see above), and had issue,

EDWARD, his heir;
Francis;
Nicholas;
Alice; Frances; Katherine; Margaret.

Mr Dunne died in 1771, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDWARD DUNNE JP (1767-1844), of Brittas, a general in the army,  Deputy Governor and High Sheriff of Queen's County, 1790, MP for Maryborough, 1800.

He took an active part in suppressing the Irish Rebellion of 1798, at which time he commanded the Pembrokeshire Fencible Cavalry.

General Dunne wedded, in 1801, Frances, daughter of Simon White, of Bantry House, sister to Richard, 1st Earl of Bantry, and had issue,

FRANCIS PLUNKETT, his heir;
EDWARD MEADOWS, successor to his brother;
Robert Hedges (Rev);
Richard;
Charles;
Frances Jane.

General Dunne was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON FRANCIS PLUNKETT DUNNE JP DL (1802-74), of Brittas and Dunsoghly Castle, County Dublin, Privy Counsellor, a major-general in the army, Lieutenant-Colonel, Queen's County Militia, MP for Portarlington, 1847-57, Queen's County, 1859-68, Clerk of the Ordnance, 1852, Private Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1858-9, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

EDWARD MEADOWS DUNNE JP (1803-75), of Brittas, Barrister, who married, in 1835, Marianne, daughter of Langford Rowley Heyland, of Glendarragh, County Antrim, and Tamlaght, Lieutenant-Colonel, Londonderry Militia, and had issue,

Edward Eyre, 1836-48;
Alexander Dupré, 1838-55;
FRANCIS PLUNKETT, his heir.

Mr Dunne was succeeded by his only surviving son,

FRANCIS PLUNKETT DUNNE JP (1844-78), of Brittas, High Sheriff of the Queen's County, 1878, who wedded, in 1873, his cousin, Frances Jane, daughter of the Rev Robert Hedges Dunne, and had issue,

Francis Plunkett, died young;
ALICE MAUDE, of Brittas;
KATHLEEN PLUNKETT, of Brittas.

Mr Dunne, leaving his estates to be equally divided between his two surviving daughters, ALICE MAUDE and KATHLEEN PLUNKETT, who sold the estate of Brittas in 1898 to their uncle, Robert Hedges Plunkett Dunne, on whose death, in 1901, these ladies succeeded, again, to Brittas and Dunsoghly Castle.

Francis Plunkett Dunne was succeeded in the male representation of his family by his cousin, Charles Henry Plunkett Dunne.

BRITTAS CASTLE, near Clonaslee, County Laois, was a castellated house of sandstone with limestone dressings, built in 1869 by Major-General Francis Dunne, to the design of John McCurdy.

The Dunnes were influential in the form and history of Clonaslee, as evidenced in its planned form and also from a number of ruins in the area.

The former residence of a branch of the family remains in ruins one mile from the village at Clara Hill.

Also, near the east bank of the Clodiagh River, stand the ruins of Ballinakill Castle, built in 1680 by Colonel Dunne.

Throughout the 18th century, Clonaslee prospered due to its location on an important highway across Laois leading onto Munster.

The proximity of Brittas - the seat of the Dunnes - was also influential as the power of this family had by now grown beyond that of a native Irish chieftain.

In 1771, Francis Dunne, then head of the Dunne Family, became a Roman Catholic and built a thatched parish chapel in the village.

This was located close to the site of the present church.

The Dunne family continued to finance the construction of landmark buildings in the village:

The parish Church was erected in 1814 under General Edward Dunne (known locally as 'shun-battle Ned' because of his rumoured refusal to fight at the 1815 battle of Waterloo).

When the main residence in Tinnahinch was blown up in 1653, the Dunne chief had to build anew.

At this time there was a low thatched lodge located at Brittas.

Major-General Francis Plunkett Dunne built a Neo-Gothic mansion at Brittas in 1869.

It was extended ten years later by Millar & Symes.

It is claimed that General Dunne obtained loans from Germany to build the castle, and rental income from his tenants was used to repay the lenders.

The gate piers of the grand house still remain on the western edge of the Green.

The walls and windows give an idea of the house's architecture.

It was three storeys high and the roof was originally thatched.

On the wall over the main entrance, the family crest is still visible, depicting an eagle and a drawn sword.

The last of the family to reside in Brittas House were the Misses Dunne.

The house had extensive gardens, shrubberies and out-offices.

The links with Clonaslee village, and the remains of the Brittas estate are strong.

The expansive demesne grounds contain many splendid trees – remnants of the larger plantations. Lawson's cypress, copper beech, yew, sycamore, cut-leaved beech, and oak that covered much of the townland of Brittas over a century ago.

Brittas Lake – which has recently been restored – was originally constructed as a reservoir for the house.

Its banks are stone lined and water was pumped from the Clodiagh River.

Brittas Castle suffered a fire fire in 1942 and, despite the best efforts of the Tullamore fire brigade, it was destroyed.

First published in September, 2012.