Drenagh House

THE McCAUSLANDS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LONDONDERRY, WITH 12,886 ACRES

 This is a junior branch (which settled in Ulster during the reign of JAMES VI, King of Scots) of the ancient Scottish house of MACAUSLANE, of Buchanan, which sprang from

JOHN MACAUSLANE, who acquired the lands of Buchanan, on The Lennox, and from whom they descended in direct male succession to Sir Walter MacAuslane, 11th Laird, who lived during the reign of ROBERT II.

The heir male is said to have settled in Ulster during the reign of JAMES VI, King of Scots.

He had two sons, of whom the elder,

ANDREW MACAUSLANE, was grandfather of 

COLONEL ROBERT McCAUSLAND (c1685-c1734), of Fruit Hill, near Limavady, styled his "cousin" in the will of Captain Oliver McCausland, of Strabane, of which he was left executor and also a legatee.

He had estates in the parish of Cappagh, County Tyrone, and succeeded under the will of the RT HON WILLIAM CONOLLY to considerable property in County Londonderry.

Colonel McCausland married, in 1709, Hannah, daughter of William Moore, of Garvey, and widow of James Hamilton, junior, of Strabane, and by her left surviving issue,

CONOLLY, his heir;
Marcus, of Daisy Hill;
Frederick, of Streeve Hill;
Sarah; Rebecca; Hannah.

The eldest son,

CONOLLY McCAUSLAND (1713-94), of Fruit Hill, wedded, in 1742, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Gage, of Magilligan, and eventually sole heir to her brother, Hodson Gage, of BELLARENA and left issue, 

CONOLLY, his heir;
Marcus;
Hannah; Elizabeth; Sarah; Sydney.

The elder son,

CONOLLY McCAUSLAND (1754-1827), of Fruit Hill, espoused, in 1778, Theodosia, sister to Maurice, 3rd Baron Hartland,  and daughter of THOMAS MAHON, of Strokestown House, by Jane, daughter of Maurice, Lord Brandon, and had issue,

MARCUS, his heir;
Conolly Robert;
Frederick Hervey;
Jane; Elizabeth; Eleanor; Theodosia.

Mr McCausland, who assumed the name of GAGE in 1816, was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

MARCUS McCAUSLAND DL (1787-1862), of Fruit Hill (Drenagh), who married, in 1815, Marianne, daughter of Thomas Tyndall, of The Fort, near Bristol, and had issue,

CONOLLY THOMAS, his heir;
Marianne; Theodosia Sydney; Henrietta Caroline; Katherine Geraldine;
Eleanor Georgiana; Julia; Georgiana; Adelaide.

Mr McCausland was succeeded by his only son,

CONOLLY THOMAS McCAUSLAND JP DL (1828-1902), of Drenagh, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1866, Captain, Derry Militia, who wedded, in 1867, Laura, second daughter of St Andrew, 15th Baron St John of Bletso, and had issue,

MAURICE MARCUS, his heir;
Patrick;
Edmund Thomas William;
Eleanor Marianna Katharine; Lucia; Geraldine; Julia Sydney; Lettice Theodosia; Emily Octavia.

Captain McCausland was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON MAURICE MARCUS McCAUSLAND (1872-1938), of Drenagh, High Sheriff of County Londonderry, 1908, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, 1926-38, who wedded, in 1902, Eileen Leslie, second daughter of ROBERT ALEXANDER OGILBY, OF PELLIPAR, County Londonderry, and had issue,

CONOLLY ROBERT, his heir;
Helen Laura, b 1903;
Eileen Mary, b 1910.

Mr McCausland was succeeded by his only son,

CONOLLY ROBERT McCAUSLAND MC JP DL (1906-68), of Drenagh, Lieutenant-Colonel, Irish Guards, who espoused, in 1932, the Lady Margaret Edgcumbe, daughter of 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, and had issue,

MARCUS EDGCUMBE, his heir;
Antony Richard, b 1941;
Piers Conolly, b 1949;
Mary Fania; Caroline Ann.

Colonel McCausland was succeeded by his eldest son,

MARCUS EDGCUMBE McCAUSLAND (1933-72), of Drenagh, who married, in 1962, June Patricia MacAdam, and had issue,

CONOLLY PATRICK, b 1964;
Shane Francis Marcus, b 1968;
Marianne Laura, b 1970.

Captain McCausland, an officer in the Ulster Defence Regiment, became the first soldier to be murdered by the IRA, in 1972.

His elder son,

CONOLLY PATRICK McCAUSLAND (1964-), of Drenagh, married Sheelagh Ann Williams, and has issue, four daughters, of whom two are twins.

DRENAGH, near Limavady, is the finest demesne in County Londonderry and one of the noblest country houses in Ulster.

Drenagh House, formerly known as Fruithill, was inherited by Colonel Robert McCausland, agent of the Rt Hon William "Speaker" Conolly, who had purchased the estate from the Phillips family.

Colonel McCausland erected the first house a few hundred yards south-east of the present mansion, overlooking the Glen Plantation.

The original house was extended in 1796, and was said to have had a fine demesne with well laid out walks and plantations.

The walled garden of that period is still retained along with one barn and a gardener’s house.

The house had a different avenue approach from the old Coleraine Road and this can still be discerned from early maps.

Before the old house was abandoned, a new avenue approach was made to the house from the new Coleraine Road (now Broad Road).

During this period (ca 1830) W Hargrave was commissioned to consider designs for a new house which was three storeys with canted bays.

However, before these plans could materialise into buildings, both McCausland and Hargrave died and the present gate lodge, known as Logan’s Lodge, or the east lodge of ca 1830, is all that was built of Hargrave’s design.

Charles Lanyon, who arrived in County Antrim as surveyor in 1836, was commissioned to prepare designs for house, offices and outhouses; and these appear to have reached fruition about 1840.

At the same time, the west avenue approach was changed and the west lodge was built to Lanyon’s specifications.

Pleasant gardens were extended in the Glen, with a viewing platform having impressive niche and fountain below and beyond a pool and parterre.

Nothing remains of the former house.

Today Drenagh demesne extends to about 1,000 acres.

It comprises two storeys, using an agreeable pinkish sandstone ashlar.

There is a five-bay entrance front, with a recessed central bay and a single-storey Ionic portico whose outer columns are coupled.

The adjoining front is of six bays, with a pedimented breakfront which is emphasized by three massive pilasters supporting the pediment.

There is a lower service wing at the side; a balustraded parapet round the roof and on the portico.

There is a magnificent single-storey, top-lit central hall with screens of fluted Corinthian columns.

An elegant double staircase, with exquisite cast-iron balusters, rises from behind one of the screens.

There are also rich plasterwork ceilings in the hall, over the staircase and in the drawing-room.

The morning-room and dining-room have more modest ceilings.

The outbuildings are extensive.

A vista through the gap in the trees beyond the entrance front boasts an idyllic landscape far below.

Most notable is the Chinese Garden, with its circular "moon gate", developed by the Lady Margaret McCausland in the 1960s.

The demesne itself is part-walled and dates from the early 18th century.

There are fine woodland, parkland and shelter belt trees.

The ground within the demesne is undulating, descending to the Castle River running to the south of the house and to the Curly River to the north and east.

Neither river is used as an ornamental feature.

An unusual Italianate high balustraded terrace, with a commanding view point, formerly looked over an extensive 19th century Italian Garden, which is now overgrown.

The vista at the present time overlooks what has become dense woodland, including exotics and rhododendrons.

A water garden in the foreground includes a handsome stone pond built in the 1960s to the designs of Frances Rhodes.

The 'Moon Garden' was also designed by Frances Rhodes in 1968.

It is an enclosed area influenced by both Chinese and Arts and Crafts garden design, which remains fully planted up.

It incorporates pre-1830s office buildings.

Outside is the ‘Orbit Garden’, also by Rhodes, planted with shrubs, trees and herbaceous material.

An area south east of and adjacent to the house had a late 20th century ornamental garden, which is now grassed.

The walled garden is used for nursery planting.

It was enlarged after the present house was built. Logan’s Lodge, 1830 by Hargrave, pre-dates the present house.

The main entrance gate lodge, gates and screen are ca 1840 by Lanyon.

Streeve, the dower house, is within the demesne and has its own garden.

Images courtesy of Conolly McCausland.   First published in February, 2010. McCausland arms courtesy of the NLI.

1st Viscount Thurso

THE SINCLAIR BARONETS, VISCOUNTS THURSO, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, WITH 78,053 ACRES

PATRICK SINCLAIR, one of two sons of the Hon William Sinclair, of Mey, by Margaret, daughter of Magnus Mowat, of Balquhollie, second son of 4th Earl of Caithness, acquired Ulbster, Caithness, in 1596 from his cousin, 5th Earl of Caithness.

He died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother, 

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, who married firstly, Jean Chisholm, and had, with other issue,

PATRICK, his heir.

He wedded secondly, Katherine Stewart, natural daughter of Robert, Earl of Orkney, son of JAMES V, King of Scots, and by her had issue,

John, of Tannach.

John Sinclair of Ulbster was succeeded by his eldest son,

PATRICK SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, who espoused, in 1647, Elizabeth, daughter of John Mackay, of Strathy, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;

George (Sir);

Mary.

The elder son,

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, married Janet, daughter of William Sinclair, of Rattar, and in 1709 entailed his estates on his first cousin, John Sinclair, of Brims, before mentioned, and other heirs.

His cousin and successor,

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster and Brims, wedded Jean, daughter of Sir George Monro, of Newmore, and had, with other issue,

JOHN, his heir;

Jean.

His eldest son,

JOHN SINCLAIR (1691-1736), of Ulbster, Heritable Sheriff of the County of Caithness, who married, in 1714, Henrietta, daughter of George Brodie, and had issue,

GEORGE, his heir;
James;
John;
Emilia.

Mr Sinclair was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE SINCLAIR, who wedded Janet, daughter of William, Lord Strathnaver, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Helen; Mary; Janet.

Mr Sinclair died in 1766, and was succeeded by his son,

THE RT HON SIR JOHN SINCLAIR (1754-1835), of Ulbster and Thurso Castle, who espoused firstly, in 1776, Sarah, daughter of Alexander Maitland, of Stoke Newington, by whom he had a daughter, Janet; and secondly, in 1788, Diana, daughter of Alexander, 1st Baron Macdonald, and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;
Alexander;
John;
Archibald;
William;
James;
Elizabeth Diana; Margaret; Julia; Catherine; Helen.

Mr Sinclair was created a baronet in 1786, designated of Ulbster.

Sir John Sinclair, 1st Baronet (Image: Highland Council)

Sir John was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR GEORGE SINCLAIR (1790-1868), 2nd Baronet, of Ulbster, who wedded, in 1816, Catherine, daughter of William, Lord Huntingtower, and had issue,

SIR JOHN GEORGE TOLLEMACHE SINCLAIR DL MP (1825-1912), 3rd Baronet, of Ulbster, who married, in 1853, Emma Isabella Harriet, daughter of William Standish Standish.

His grandson,

THE RT HON SIR ARCHIBALD HENRY MacDONALD SINCLAIR (1890-1970), 4th Baronet, KT, CMG, JP, of Ulbster, espoused, in 1918, Marigold, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel James Stewart Forbes.

Sir Archibald was elevated to the peerage, in 1952, in the dignity of VISCOUNT THURSO, of Ulbster in the County of Caithness.

• Robin Macdonald Sinclair, 2nd Viscount (1922-95);
• John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount (b 1953).

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, the Hon James Alexander Robin Sinclair.

THE CASTLE, Thurso, Caithness, was built in the 1870s by the architect David Smith for Sir Tollemache Sinclair, 3rd Baronet, replacing the original castle of about 1660.

The Victorian castle was built in the style of a French chateau close to the shore on the east of the river mouth.

During the 2nd World War, a sea mine exploded nearby and the castle became structurally unsafe.

Consequently, much of it was demolished to make it safe in 1952.

 

The contractor who had the job of taking the roof off and demolishing other parts to make it safe was paid by being allowed to keep the lead from the roof.

What is left standing shows the height and number of floors that made it a very impressive structure given its position on the coast where it could be seen a long way off.

Its position gave it marvellous views over Thurso Bay.

Other residence ~ Fotheringay House, Montpelier Row, Twickenham, Middlesea.

First published in November, 2013.

Tollymore Park

THE EARLS OF RODEN OWNED 8,903 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

RALPH JOCELYN, son and heir of HENRY JOCELYN, was living during the reign of KING JOHN.

By Beatrix his wife he left a son,

JOHN JOCELYN, living the the time of HENRY III, who wedded Katherine, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Battell, of Ongar, Essex, and was father of

THOMAS JOCELYN, who espoused, in 1249, Maud, daughter and co-heir of Sir John Hyde, of Hyde Hall, Hertfordshire, and granddaughter, maternally, of John, Baron Sudeley, of Gloucestershire; by which marriage the Jocelyns obtained that estate, which continued for a very lengthy period in the family.

He was succeeded by his son,

THOMAS JOCELYN, living during the reign of EDWARD I, who married firstly, Alice, daughter of William Liston, and secondly, Joan, daughter of John Le Blount, and was succeeded by his son (by his first wife),

RALPH JOCELYN, who wedded firstly, Anne, daughter of William Sandes, and secondly, Matilda (d 1353), daughter of John Sutton, and by her had a son,

GEOFFREY JOCELYN, living temp. EDWARD III, who wedded Margaret, daughter of Robert Rockell, and was succeeded by his son,

RALPH JOCELYN, who married Margaret, daughter of John de Patmere, and had two sons, Thomas, his heir, who dsp, and

GEOFFREY JOCELYN, who married Katherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Braye, and had three sons,

THOMAS, his heir;

Geoffrey, ancestor of JOSSELYN, of Horksley, Essex;

Ralph (Sir), KB, MP, Lord Mayor of London.

The eldest son,

THOMAS JOCELYN, of High Roding, Essex, son and heir of his father, 1428, married Alice, daughter of Lewis Duke, and had a son,

GEORGE JOCELYN, of High Roding, who espoused Maud, daughter of Edward Bardolfe, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN JOCELYN, of High Roding, who wedded Philippa, daughter of William Bradbury, and died in 1525, buried at Sawbridgeworth, being succeeded by his son,

SIR THOMAS JOCELYN KB, of Hyde Hall, who married Dorothy, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Gates, Knight, and had, with other issue,

RICHARD, his heir;

Mary; Jane.

Sir Thomas died in 1561, and was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD JOCELYN, of High Roding, who espoused firstly, Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Shelton Kt, and secondly, Anne, daughter of Thomas Lucas, of St Edmundsbury, Suffolk, and died in 1604, leaving, by hi second wife, a son,

RICHARD JOCELYN, of Hyde Hall, Hertford, who married firstly, a daughter of the Rt Rev Richard Barnes DD, Bishop of Durham, and secondly, Joyce, daughter of Robert Atkinson, of Stowell, Gloucestershire, and by her had a son,

SIR ROBERT JOCELYN (1600-64), Knight, of Hyde Hall, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, 1645, who wedded Bridget, daughter of Sir William Smith Kt, of Hillhall, Essex, and was buried in 1664, having had issue.

His third but eldest surviving son,

ROBERT JOCELYN, of Hyde Hall, Sheriff of Hertfordshire, 1677, was created a baronet in 1665, designated of Hyde Hall, Hertfordshire.

Sir Robert wedded Jane, daughter and co-heir of Robert Strange, of Somerford, Wiltshire, and had nine sons and five daughters; of whom

STRANGE, 2nd but eldest surviving son, inherited the title and fortune;
Edward, in holy orders;
Thomas, father of ROBERT, 1ST VISCOUNT JOCELYN.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR STRANGE JOCELYN, 2nd Baronet (c1651-1734), who wedded Mary, daughter of Tristram Conyers, of Walthamstow, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN JOCELYN (1689-1741); at whose decease, unmarried, the baronetcy devolved upon his only brother,

SIR CONYERS JOCELYN MD, 4th Baronet (1703-78), High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, 1745, who died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon the son and successor of

THE RT HON ROBERT JOCELYN (1688-1756); (refer to Thomas, son of the first Baronet), MP for Granard, 1725-7, Newtownards, 1727-39, a lawyer of great eminence, who filled the offices of Solicitor-General and Attorney-General in the reigns of GEORGE I and GEORGE II, and was constituted LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND, 1739.

His lordship was subsequently twelve times one of the Lords Justices of that kingdom, and died in the government, in 1756.

He was elevated to the peerage, in 1743, in the dignity of Baron Newport; and advanced to a viscountcy, in 1755, as Viscount Jocelyn. 

His lordship espoused firstly, Charlotte, daughter and co-heir of Charles Anderson, of Worcester, by whom he had a son, ROBERT, his successor.

He wedded secondly, in 1754, Frances, daughter of Thomas Claxton, of Dublin, and widow of Richard, 1st Earl of Ross.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

ROBERT, 2nd Viscount (1731-97), MP for Old Leighlin, 1745-56, who succeeded to the baronetcy of the family upon the decease of his kinsman, Sir Conyers Jocelyn, 4th Baronet, in 1770.

His lordship, Auditor-General of Ireland, was created, in 1771, EARL OF RODEN.

He married, in 1752, the Lady Anne Hamilton, only surviving daughter of JAMES, 1ST EARL OF CLANBRASSIL, and eventually heir of her brother, James, the last earl, and had issue,

ROBERT, his successor;
George;
Percy;
John;
Harriet; Caroline; Charlotte; Sophia; Louisa; Emelia.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT, 2nd Earl (1756-1820), KP, PC, MP for Dundalk, 1783-97, Knight of St Patrick, 1806, who espoused firstly, in 1788, Frances Theodosia, eldest daughter of the Very Rev Robert Bligh, Dean of Elphin, and niece of John, 1st Earl of Darnley, and issue,

ROBERT, his successor;
James Bligh (d 1812), Lieutenant RN;
Thomas;
George
Frances Theodosia; Anne.

His lordship married secondly, in 1804, Juliana Anne, daughter of John Orde, and had further issue,

JOHN, father of the 6th and 7th Earls;
Augustus George Frederick.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT, 3rd Earl (1788-1870), KP PC, who wedded firstly, in 1813, Maria Frances Catherine, second daughter of Thomas, 16th Baron le Despencer, and had issue,

ROBERT (1816-54), father of ROBERT, 4th Earl;
JOHN STRANGE, 5th Earl;
William Nassau;
Elizabeth Frances Charlotte; Frances; Maria.

His lordship, installed a Knight of St Patrick, 1821, married secondly, in 1862, Clementina Janet, daughter of Thomas Andrews, of Greenknowes.

He was succeeded by his grandson,

ROBERT, 4th Earl (1846-80), Lieutenant, 1st Life Guards, Lord-in-Waiting, 1874-80, who died unmarried, when the family honours reverted to his nephew,

JOHN STRANGE, 5th Earl (1823-97), DL, who wedded, in 1851, Sophia, daughter of John, 1st Baron Broughton, and had issue, a daughter,

Violet Charlotte Julia Maria.

His lordship died without male issue, and was succeeded by his cousin,

WILLIAM HENRY, 6th Earl (1842-1910), (son of the Hon John Jocelyn), who died unmarried, when the titles devolved upon his brother,

ROBERT JULIAN ORDE, 7th Earl (1845-1915), JP DL, who espoused, in 1882, Ada Maria, daughter of Colonel Soame Gambier Jenyns, and had issue,

ROBERT SOAME, his successor;
Julian Mary; Marcia Valda.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

ROBERT SOAME, 8th Earl (1883-1956), JP, who espoused, in 1905, Elinor Jessie, daughter of Joseph Charlton Parr, and had issue,

ROBERT WILLIAM, his successor;
John Charlton;
Elizabeth; Mabel Kathleen.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT WILLIAM, 9th Earl (1909-93), DL, of Tollymore Park, County Down, Captain, Royal Navy, who wedded, in 1937, Clodagh rose, daughter of Edward Robert Kennedy, and had issue,

ROBERT JOHN, his successor;
Thomas Alan;
James Michael.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT JOHN, 10th and present Earl.

The heir apparent is the present holder's only son, Shane Robert Henning Jocelyn, styled Viscount Jocelyn.

TOLLYMORE PARK, near Newcastle, County Down, is the former demesne of the Earls of Roden.

It is situated on the river Shimna, at the north-west base of Slieve Donard, adjacent to the south side of the village of Bryansford.

This superb demesne, in consequence partly of its landscaping, though mainly of its natural character, is one of the most magnificently picturesque in the British Isles.

Within the grounds there is a beautiful monument, in the form of an obelisk, erected to the memory of Lieutenant the Hon James Bligh Jocelyn, Royal Navy, second son of the 2nd Earl.

Tollymore Park House (above) was a Georgian mansion extending round four sides of a courtyard.

The earliest part was constructed ca 1730 by James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Clanbrassill (of the second creation), whose grandmother was heiress of the Magennis family, original owners of the Estate.

As first built, the mansion consisted of a two-storey block with one bay on either side of a three-sided bow, and single-storey, three-bay wings.

The architect was likely to have been Thomas Wright.

By 1787, the three other sides of the courtyard had been built, all single storey.

The mansion already had long corridors with windows containing roundels of Flemish stained glass.

When Lord Clanbrassill died in 1798 without issue, the estate passed to his sister, the 1st Countess of Roden (nee Lady Anne Hamilton), and remained in the family for generations.

An extra storey was added the the single-storey parts; while the entrance front became a typical late-Georgian composition of nine bays with a pedimented breakfront centre and a single storey Doric portico.

Before 1859, the house was further enlarged and the original block was given high roofs in the French château manner.

Tollymore has been noted for its fine views and plantations since the 18th century, in the latter years of which Thomas Milton wrote in Seats and Demesnes of the Nobility in Ireland,

It is a wild and rocky Tract, exhibiting some scenes of singular beauty, in the romantic style. Two Mountain Torrents join in the Park, and form sundry cascades, in their passage to the Sea… 

Every advantage was taken of the natural attributes to create a fashionable 18th century naturalistic park and to further grace it with suitable buildings.

Tollymore House, at the centre of the site, was demolished in 1952.

However, the demesne buildings and their folly embellishments remain and are now appreciated as fine examples of the work of Thomas Wright and others, the finest being the Clanbrassill Barn.

Fantastical gate piers made of ‘bap’ stones can be seen along the demesne walls.

Collectively these are called Lord Limerick’s Follies.

A Hermitage clings to the rocks above the Shimna river, built in 1770 to commemorate a friend’s death.

There are a great many interesting 18th century bridges along the river, which plays an important part in the landscape as it sparkles over rocks and deep ravines.

In 1786 Wilson, in the Post Chaise Companion, noted the ‘… finest groves of larch trees in this kingdom …’. 


The woodland planting was acknowledged to have been extensive and successful.

Tollymore was purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1930; the holding was increased in 1941 and subsequently a great deal of the land was covered with forest planting.

The structure of the landscape park is not visible presently.

An arboretum represents the ‘second phase’ of planting lies to the west of the house is now termed a, ‘tree collection’, as it is not being added to.

The original Picea abies var. Clanbrassilliana (discovered by Lord Clanbrassill in the mid-1770s) can be seen in this area. 


There is an exceptionally fine avenue of Deodar cedar at the Barbican gate avenue.

The walled garden has been made into a car park but the Head Gardener’s house remains, surrounded by a sea of tarmac.

However, rhododendron and azalea plants attractively cover an area on either side of the Horn Bridge as a steep descending walk to the river. 

The Forest Service is also responsible for Forest Plots, experimental plantations of various species which are being tested for suitability as forest planting.

The entrances are exceptional and are: Bryansford or Gothick Gate, ca 1786, and lodge, 1802; Barbican gate, ca 1780, and lodge ca 1810; East Lodge, 1865; White Gate Lodge, early 20th century.

The walls on the Hilltown Road and a gate are listed.

Tollymore Forest Park covers an area of almost 500 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down.

The park has a long history dating back to 1611, in the records of JAMES I.

It was recorded that the park was granted to Brian MacHugh MacAgholy Magennis. 


The neighbouring village of Bryansford is believed to have been named after him (Brian’s Ford).

The property remained in the Magennis family until about 1685, when Bryan Magennis died unmarried and Tollymore became the property of his sister, Ellen, who had married Captain William Hamilton.

From the Hamiltons, Earls of Limerick, the estate passed, again through the distaff side, to the Jocelyns, one of whom was later created Earl of Roden.

The 9th Earl lived at Bryansford, County Down, just outside the walls of Tollymore Park.

It is believed that the 10th and present Earl still maintains a residence at Tollymore.

Tollymore Park remained solely in Roden hands until 1930, when the 8th Earl sold two thirds of the land to the Ministry of Agriculture for afforestation purposes.

In 1940 the remaining third was bought by the Ministry; and during the 2nd World War Tollymore House and part of the grounds were used by the Army.

After the war the house fell into a state of disrepair and was demolished by the 9th Earl in 1952.

It is now one of Northern Ireland's most popular attractions.

In 1955, Tollymore became the first state forest in Northern Ireland.

Former seats ~ Hyde Hall, Hertfordshire; Tollymore Park, County Down; Dundalk House, County Louth.

 First published in February, 2012.  Roden arms courtesy of the NLI.

Hamwood House

THE HAMILTONS OF HAMWOOD OWNED 352 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY MEATH

HUGH HAMILTON (1572-1655) settled in Lisbane, County Down, during the reign of JAMES I, and was made a denizen of Ireland, 1616.

This Hugh Hamilton married, and had issue,

John, of Ballymenoch;
ALEXANDER, of whom presently;
Robert.

The second son,

ALEXANDER HAMILTON, of Killyleagh, County Down, wedded Jean, daughter of John Hamilton, of Belfast, and had issue,

HUGH, his heir;

Jane, married William Sloane, of Chelsea.

Mr Hamilton died in 1676, and was succeeded by his son,

HUGH HAMILTON (1664-1728), of Ballybredagh, County Down, who married Mary, sister of Robert Ross, of Rostrevor, County Down, and daughter of George Ross, of Portavo, by Ursula his wife, daughter of Captain Hans Hamilton, of Carnesure, and had issue (with three daughters), two sons,

George;

ALEXANDER.

The younger son,

ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1690-1768), of Knock, County Dublin, and Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, MP for Killyleagh, 1730-61, wedded Isabella, daughter of Robert Maxwell, of Finnebrogue, County Down, and had issue,

Hugh (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Ossory;

George, MP for Belfast, 1769-76;

CHARLES, of whom hereafter;

Anne.

The youngest son,

CHARLES HAMILTON (1738-1818), married Elizabeth, daughter of Crewe Chetwood, of Woodbrook, Queen's County, and had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
Robert, of Liverpool;
George, of Quebec, and Hawkesbury, Canada;
William Henry;
John, of Liverpool;
Henrietta.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES HAMILTON (1772-1857), of Hamwood, County Meath, who wedded, in 1801, Marianne Caroline, daughter of William Tighe MP, of Rossana, County Wicklow, by Sarah his wife, only child of Sir William Fownes Bt, of Woodstock, County Kilkenny, and had issue,

CHARLES WILLIAM, his heir;
William Tighe;
Frederick John Henry Fownes;
Sarah; Mary; Caroline Elizabeth.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES WILLIAM HAMILTON JP (1802-80), of Hamwood, who espoused, in 1841, Letitia Charlotte, eldest daughter of William Henry Armstrong MP, of Mount Heaton, King's County, and had issue,

CHARLES ROBERT, his heir;
Edward Chetwood;
Arthur, of Hollybrook.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES ROBERT HAMILTON JP (1846-1913), of Hamwood, who married, in 1874, Louisa Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Richard Brooke, of Somerton, County Dublin, by his wife, the Hon Henrietta Monck, eldest daughter of 3rd Viscount Monck, and had issue,

Charles George (1875-77);
GERALD FRANCIS CHARLES, of whom hereafter;
Frederick Arthur (1880-1962);
Henry John;
Eva Henrietta; Letitia Marion; Amy Kathleen; Ethel Grace; Constance Louisa; Lilian Mary.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

GERALD FRANCIS CHARLES HAMILTON JP (1877-1961), of Hamwood, who wedded firstly, in 1911, Violet Travers, daughter of Robert Craigie Hamilton, and had issue,

CHARLES ROBERT FRANCIS, his heir;
Esme Violet; Elizabeth Mary.

He married secondly, in 1949, Rosamund Mary, daughter of Maurice Bauer.

Mr Hamilton was succeeded by his son,

MAJOR CHARLES ROBERT FRANCIS HAMILTON (1918-2005), of Hamwood, who wedded, in 1958, Margaret Anne Lanfear, daughter of Captain Simon Ralph Fane Spicer, and had issue,

CHARLES RALPH, b 1960;
Annabel Honor, b 1959.

HAMWOOD HOUSE, Dunboyne, County Meath, is a small Palladian house of the 1764, with a central block joined to little octagonal ‘pepper-pot’ wings by elegantly curved sweeps.

Unusually, one wing contains the main entrance, since the house (as originally built) was reputedly so cold that the family decided to place the hall door as far away from the main rooms as possible.

The removal of the front entrance from the main block creates an interesting internal arrangement with a double drawing-room, unusual in a house of this size.

There is good late-18th century decoration and an interesting family collection, including the intriguing drawings and paintings of Caroline Hamilton.

Hamwood’s builder, Charles Hamilton, acted as land agent for the Dukes of Leinster whose principal seat, Carton, is nearby; and the Duke generously gave the Hamiltons a present of the impressive fights of granite steps leading to the doors in the end pavilions.

Successive generations of the family acted as the Leinsters' agents until the present owner's husband, Charles Hamilton (1918-2005), retired in the 1970s.

*****

MRS ANNE HAMILTON, Major Charles Hamilton's widow, died suddenly on the 4th December, 2013.

She represented the family at a function in Farmleigh House in 2012 honouring the Irish team at the 1948 Olympics in London.

A relative, Letitia Hamilton, was the only Irish medal-winner at those Games, for her painting of a scene at the Meath Hunt Point-to-Point races. 

Anne Hamilton was born Anne Spicer in Wiltshire, England. Her father, Ralph Spicer, had married Mary Graham, whose family lived at Spye Park, near Bromham, Wiltshire, since 1855.

The Grahams were originally from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, involved in the linen industry.

Anne and her siblings holidays at their grandparents’ place at Sallins every summer, and to escape the rationing and austerity England in the years following the 2nd World War, her mother moved them to Carnew in County Wicklow.

In 1958, Anne married Charles Hamilton, who had served in the 2nd World War.

He was a farm estate manager and they lived in County Galway for a period before returning to Hamwood in 1963, following the death of Charles’ father, who was the land agent at Carton House.

Charles also managed the Slane Castle estate for a period.

At Hamwood, they were involved in bloodstock breeding and a pure-bred Charolais herd.

The gardens were also a great treasure and open to the public.

In an interview for the Irish Life and Lore Collection at South Dublin Libraries, Mrs Hamilton was critical of how the Irish Land Commission had broken up large estates and the manner in which they allowed fine houses to decay.

In recent years, she continued to open the gardens and house at Dunboyne to the public.

Mrs Hamilton was survived by her son, Charles, of London, and Annabel, of Paris, and her sister in County Cork.

Her funeral service took place at St Peter’s parish church, Dunboyne, County Meath, followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard.

First published in November, 2017.  Select bibliography: Irish historic Houses Association.

1st Duke of Hamilton

THE DUKES OF HAMILTON AND BRANDON WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN THE COUNTY OF BUTE, WITH 102,210 ACRES

This illustrious family is said to be descended from William de Hamilton, one of the younger sons of Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester, which Sir William's son, SIR GILBERT DE HAMILTON, having expressed himself at the court of EDWARD II in admiration of King ROBERT THE BRUCE, received a blow from John de Spencer, which led, the following day, to an encounter, wherein Spencer fell; and Hamilton sought security in Scotland, about 1323.

Being closely pursued, however, in his flight, he and his servant changed clothes with two woodcutters, and taking their saws, were in the act of cutting through an oak-tree when his pursuers passed by.

Perceiving his servant notice them, Sir Gilbert hastily cried out to him, "Through"; which word, with the oak, and saw through it, he took for his crest, in commemoration of his deliverance.

This detail is, however, liable to many objections. Sir William Dugdale, in his account of the Earls of Leicester, is totally silent as to the descent of the Hamiltons from Robert, 3rd Earl.

That nobleman, according to Sir William, had three sons,

ROBERT, 4th Earl of Leicester;
ROGER, Bishop of St Andrew's and Chancellor of Scotland;
WILLIAM, a leper, founder of the hospital of St Leonard, Leicester.

That this last William predeceased his eldest brother without issue is evident from the circumstance of the great inheritance of the Earls of Leicester devolving, on the decease of the 4th Earl, in 1204, upon his sisters; and Simon de Montfort, the husband of the eldest, having, in her right, the title of Earl of Leicester.

WILLIAM DE HAMILTON occurs frequently in Thomas Rymer's "Fœdora" from 1274 to 1306, being employed by EDWARD I in various negotiations and transactions of importance.

He was appointed Dean of York, 1298, and High Chancellor of England in 1305.

This is the first of the name noticed in the "Fœdora".

It appears somewhat earlier, however, in Scotland; GILBERT DE HAMILTON being on record in the chartulary of Paisley in 1272.

The younger son of this Gilbert, John, was ancestor of the Earls of Haddington; the elder,

SIR WALTER DE HAMILTON, swore fealty to EDWARD I in 1292 and 1294.

Attaching himself to King Robert, he had divers grants of lands, amongst others, the barony of Kinneil and Cadzow (now Hamilton), in the sheriffdom of Lanark.

From this Sir Walter lineally descended

DAVID, one of the persons who took the oath of allegiance to EDWARD I, in 1292.

From this gentleman descended

SIR JAMES HAMILTON, of Cadzow, created Lord Hamilton in 1445; and succeeded, in 1479, by his only son,

JAMES, 2nd Lord, who was advanced to an earldom, in 1503, as Earl of Arran, and was succeeded, in 1529, by his only son,

JAMES, 2nd Earl, who, having been declared by the parliament of Scotland, in 1543, heir-presumptive to the crown of that kingdom, was, in consequence thereof, appointed tutor to QUEEN MARY, and governor of the realm during Her Majesty's minority.

In five years afterwards, his lordship was invested with the French Order of Saint Michael; and created, by HENRY II of France, DUKE OF CHÂTELLERAULT, in Poitou.

His Grace married the Lady Margaret Douglas, eldest daughter of James, Earl of Morton, and died in 1575, when he was succeeded in his honours by his eldest son,

JAMES, 3rd Earl; but, in consequence of the mental incapacity of that nobleman, His Grace's estates descended to his second son,

THE HON JOHN HAMILTON, who, with his younger brother, Claude, was banished from Scotland in 1579; but, returning in 1585, the act of forfeiture was annulled, and he was elevated to the peerage, as Marquess of Hamilton.

His lordship died in 1604, and was succeeded by his son,

JAMES, 2nd Marquess, KG, who, upon the demise of his uncle, James, Earl of Arran (already mentioned as mentally unstable) and Duke of Châtellerault, in 1609, succeeded to the family honours.

His lordship obtained an English peerage, in 1619, by the titles of Baron Innerdale, and Earl of Cambridge.

He wedded the Lady Anne Cunningham, daughter of James, Earl of Glencairn, by whom he had two sons and three daughters.

His lordship died in 1625, and was succeeded by his son,

JAMES, 3rd Marquess (1606-49), KG, who was created, in 1643, DUKE OF HAMILTON, Marquess of Clydesdale, Earl of Arran and Cambridge, Lord Aven and Innerdale.

His Grace espousing warmly and actively the cause of his royal master, CHARLES I, was defeated and taken prisoner at the battle of Preston, and suffered decapitation at Old Palace Yard in 1649.

1st Duke of Hamilton KG

He had married the Lady Mary Feilding, daughter of William, 1st Earl of Denbigh, by whom he had four sons, who died in infancy, and two daughters, Lady Anne, and Lady Susanna, who wedded John, Earl of Cassillis.

His Grace was succeeded by his brother,

WILLIAM, 2nd Duke, who had himself been elevated to the peerage, in 1639, as Lord Machanshyre and Polmont, and Earl of Lanark.

His Grace wedded Lady Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of James, Earl of Dirletoun, by whom he had a son, who died in infancy, and five daughters.

The Duke received a mortal wound in the service of CHARLES II, at the unfortunate battle of Worcester, and dying without male issue, his English titles were extinguished; but the dukedom of Hamilton etc devolved upon (the daughter of the late Duke) his niece,

ANNE, 3rd Duchess, who wedded

WILLIAM DOUGLAS, eldest son of William, 1st Marquess of Douglas, and obtained, by petition, for him, after her marriage, the title of Duke of Hamilton, for life.

He had been previously elevated to the peerage as Earl of Selkirk.

The issue of this marriage were seven sons and three daughters.

His Grace died in 1694, and was succeeded in the earldom of Selkirk by his eldest son,

JAMES, to whom the Duchess, a few years afterwards, surrendered her title.

Coat-of-arms of the Duke of Brandon

His Grace obtained an English peerage, in 1711, as Baron Dulton, Cheshire, and DUKE OF BRANDON, in Suffolk; but, upon applying for his seat in the House of Lords, it was objected that, by the 23rd Article of Union, "no peer of Scotland could, after the Union, be created a peer of England;" and the Upper House so resolved, after a protracted debate, in 1710.

His Grace married Lady Anne, daughter of Robert, Earl of Sunderland, by whom he had two daughters; and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter and sole heiress of Digby, Lord Gerrard, of Bromley, by whom he had seven offspring.

The Duke having accepted a challenge from Charles, Lord Mohun, engaged that nobleman in Hyde Park, in 1712; and, having slain his opponent, fell himself, it was suspected, through the treachery of George Macartney, Lord Mohun's second, for whose apprehension a reward was subsequently offered.

His Grace was succeeded by his son,

JAMES, 5th Duke, who wedded thrice: By his first wife, Lady Anne, daughter of John, Earl of Dundonald, he had an only son, his successor,

JAMES, 6th Duke, who wedded, in 1752, Elizabeth, second daughter of John Gunning, of County Roscommon, by whom he two sons and a daughter.

His Grace died in 1758, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES GEORGE, 7th Duke, who succeeded to the marquessate of Douglas and earldom of Angus (the latter created in 1389), upon the demise of Archibald, last Duke of Douglas, in 1761.

His Grace dying unmarried, in 1769, the family honours devolved upon his brother,

DOUGLAS, 8th Duke, who, in 1782, again mooted the point decided against his predecessor, in 1710, relative to his seat in the House of Lords; and obtaining, after the opinion of the judges was taken, a resolution in his favour, was summoned, as DUKE OF BRANDON.

His Grace dying without issue, in 1799, the family honours reverted to his uncle,

ARCHIBALD, 9th Duke, eldest son, by his 2nd wife, of James, 5th Duke of Hamilton.

His Grace wedded Lady Harriet, daughter of Alexander, Earl of Galloway, by whom he had issue,

ALEXANDER, 10th Duke.

• Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke;
• William Hamilton, 11th Duke;
• William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke (1845-95);
• Alfred Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke (1862–1940);
• Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke (1903-73);
• Angus Alan Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 15th Duke (1938–2010);
• Alexander Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 16th Duke (b 1978).

HAMILTON PALACE, South Lanarkshire, was said to be the largest non-royal residence in the British Isles, possibly even in Europe.

It was the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Hamilton from at least 1591 until 1919, but subsidence caused by coal-mining led to its unfortunate demise and demolition in 1927.

The destruction of the Palace, and the dispersal of its contents, is now regarded as one of the greatest losses to national heritage ever to have happened in the United Kingdom.

The town of Hamilton takes its name from the Hamiltons, Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon, premier peers of Scotland.

The Palace stood in the Low Parks of the Hamilton estate, in the area now occupied by the Palace Sports Grounds.

There are references to an early Hamilton residence known as The Orchard, which may have been a tower house close to the site of the later palace.

However, in 1549, James Hamilton began building a new house to reflect his status as Regent of Scotland during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Later, in 1579, this "palace", together with the town and castle of Hamilton, was burnt and demolished during a siege by Mary's enemies.

The town seems to have recovered fairly quickly, and a date-stone of 1591 provides evidence that Lord John Hamilton had begun building a new palace in the Clyde meadows.

In 1684, the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton began their "Great Design", a major rebuilding programme, which was to turn Hamilton Palace into the largest country house in Scotland.

The new south front was the crowning glory, and included a magnificent entrance portico in a style that had never before been seen in Scotland.

The giant columns were 25 feet high.

The Palace reached its heyday in the time of Alexander, 10th Duke, who desired a country residence that would not only provide an appropriate setting for his famed art collection, but also reflect his family's proud history and status.

The Palace was now massively enlarged and enhanced, with work beginning in 1822 on a new north front (265 feet long and 80 feet in height); a servants' wing, and additional offices and stables, designed by David Hamilton, Glasgow's leading architect.

The interior was in keeping with the grandeur of the exterior, and the huge apartments were crammed with paintings, statues, furniture and art treasures from around the world.

It was enjoyed throughout the Victorian era by the highest echelons of British and European nobility, celebrities and socialites of the day. This golden age was not to last.

The programmes of rebuilding and art collecting by the 10th Duke and his successors had led to mounting debts and  put a strain on the estates.

A major sale of the Palace's art treasures took place in 1882 at Christies auctioneers in London, and raised the huge sum of £400,000, the equivalent of about £40 million today.

After the sale, the Hamilton family spent very little time in the Palace and, in 1919, moved to Dungavel House, their hunting lodge near Strathaven.

It was coal-mining which finally brought about the destruction of Hamilton Palace: The Hamilton family had been leasing out mineral rights in the Palace grounds since 1882, and by 1915, mining was threatening the stability of the Palace.

In 1919, the colliery company was asked to give up its lease, but it refused, and the Palace's fate was sealed.

The building was sold to demolition contractors in 1921, and took around 8 years to demolish completely, during which time the west wing was temporarily converted into houses for homeless miners' families.

The Palace grounds now contain a retail park and sports complex.

The Mausoleum, the hunting lodge at Chatelherault, and the ducal buildings that make up Low Parks Museum all survive as a reminder of the glory that once was Hamilton Palace.

LENNOXLOVE HOUSE, Haddington, East Lothian, has been the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon since 1946.

Former residences ~ Thirlestone, Stanacre Park, Hamilton; London residence ~ 107 Eaton Square.  

First published in November, 2013.

Chapel of the Resurrection

The Chapel, with Belfast Castle in the background (picture post card)

THE CHAPEL OF THE RESURRECTION, 21, Innisfayle Park, Belfast, was constructed between 1865-69 in the Gothic-Revival style as a mortuary chapel for the 3rd Marquess of Donegall.

This charming little chapel predates Belfast Castle, which was constructed in 1868-70.

The late Sir Charles Brett remarked that the 3rd Marquess found his previous dwelling of Ormeau House an ‘ill-constructed residence’, and Lord Donegall himself wrote that his estate was "under a disadvantage for want of a more suitable family residence.’

Despite being in constant debt, Lord Donegall decided to construct a new mansion house on lands he still owned in the deer park to the north of Belfast.

The Donegall family chapel, designed by Lanyon, Lynn & Lanyon, was built as a mortuary chapel that served as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess's son Frederick Richard, Earl of Belfast, who had died prematurely in 1853.

The chapel was not only a memorial to their son, but was also to be used as a burial place for members of the Chichester family (who had heretofore been interred at Carrickfergus).

The Chapel of the Resurrection was consecrated on the 20th December, 1869, by the Rt Rev Dr Robert Knox, Lord Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore.

The Natural Stone Database records that the chapel was constructed with locally-quarried Scrabo sandstone, with Portland limestone used as a secondary material.

The interior of the chapel originally possessed a white marble monument to Lord Belfast which depicted him on his deathbed (sculpted by Patrick McDowell).

Following the completion of the site, the remains of Lord Belfast were moved to the Chapel of the Resurrection and interred in its vault.

It is said that the chapel was converted into a private chapel for the use of the owners and occupants of the Castle in 1891.

The conversion of the building included the decoration of the interior and the addition of an altar, reading-desk, organ and stained-glass windows.

The refurbishment of the interior was carried out by Cox & Sons, London, and Buckley's of Youghal, County Cork.

The church organ was built by Wordsworth of Leeds.

Following the death of the 3rd Marquess in 1883, Belfast Castle and its estate passed to his son-in-law, Anthony Ashley-Cooper (styled Lord Ashley), later 8th Earl of Shaftesbury, who had married the Lady Harriet Chichester in 1857.

The Shaftesbury family continued to own Belfast Castle until 1934, when the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury granted the building and the 200 acre estate to Belfast Corporation.

The Shaftesburys are thought to have continued using the chapel for private and semi-private services thereafter, even though they had no need of it, as they could worship in an Oratory located inside the Castle itself; but during the 1st World War services in the chapel were discontinued, except very occasionally.

Having been utilised as a private dwelling for only 65 years, Belfast Castle was granted to Belfast Corporation on 1st February 1935.

Lord Shaftesbury retained the chapel until 1938, when it was transferred to the Church of Ireland.

Brian Barton remarks that the chapel effectively became the responsibility of St Peter’s parish church from that year.

The first public service was held at the Chapel of the Resurrection on the 18th September, 1938.

The building suffered minor damage during the Belfast Blitz, and repairs were subsequently carried out to the damaged roof and windows.

The chapel continued to be used regularly for services between 1938 and the 1960s; due to the decline in church attendance, however, the change in the make-up of the local population and the vandalism of the building (following the development of post-war housing around it in the 1950s and 1960s), regular services were abandoned in 1965.

The last service was held on the 27th august, 1972.

(Timothy Ferres, 2014)

The congregation of St Peter’s endeavoured to maintain the chapel, but by 1974 recurrent acts of vandalism had forced the Select Vestry to remove all furnishings from the building and to sell the organ to a rural church.

By the 1980s the church had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair and was curtailed behind a barbed-wire fence.

In 1982 the vaults beneath the chapel were vandalised and the remaining tombs (the remains of the Chichester family) desecrated by vandals.

Sadly the chapel has continued to lie vacant since the 1970s.

In 2007-08 holding repairs were carried out to the chapel, which included repairs to its roof, the restoration of its roof trusses and the cleaning of its stonework.

The restoration aimed to make the chapel safe and restrict further acts of vandalism; all openings and doors were blocked up.

Some of the original furnishings of the chapel survive at St Peter’s parish church, Antrim Road, Belfast.

In a side chapel of St Peter's (opened in 2000; named the Chapel of the Resurrection) are a number of artefacts from the derelict chapel, including its reredos, the altar, a number of statues, the credence table and the original lectern.

(Timothy Ferres, 2014)

The chapel has a heavily-pitched, natural slate roof, with masonry cross finial to gabled façade and metal cross finial to apse.

Rock-faced masonry walls have cut-stone dressings, including string-courses and stepped buttresses.

Pointed arch window openings to nave have tracery, forming a bipartite arrangement.

There is a rose window at the gabled façade, and trefoil-arch openings to belfry.

(Timothy Ferres, 2014)

A pointed arched door opening is set within a cusped and sprocketed, gabled surround.

The chapel's interior was of great beauty and charm.

Two effigies or statues of Lord Belfast, one of which was a life-size representation in pure white marble of him on his death-bed, his mother holding his right hand; the other, a plaster statue of the young nobleman.

Both are now in Belfast City Hall.

First published in February, 2014.  See the Mausolea & Monuments Trust.