1st Earl of Wemyss

THE EARLS OF WEMYSS AND MARCH WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN PEEBLESSHIRE, WITH 41,247 ACRES

This ancient family traces its origin to John, baronial lord of Weems, whence the surname was probably derived, who was younger son of the celebrated Macduff, Thane of Fife, the vanquisher of the tyrant MACBETH.

SIR MICHAEL WEMYSS was sent, according to John of Fordun, in 1290, with Sir Michael Scott, to Norway, by the Lords of the Regency in Scotland, to conduct the young Queen MARGARET to her dominions; but Her Majesty unfortunately died upon the journey, at the Orkneys.

Sir Michael swore fealty to EDWARD I in 1296, and he witnessed the act of settlement of the Crown of Scotland by ROBERT I, King of Scots, at Ayr, in 1315.

MICHAEL, of Wemyss and Methil, the earliest known ancestor of the family of Wemyss, was dead in 1202, when his lands were in the possession of his son,

SIR JOHN, of Wemyss and Methil, Knight, who was living in 1239 and 1261, and died probably ca 1263, having had issue,

MICHAEL, his heir;

John.

The eldest son and heir,

SIR MICHAEL WEMYSS, of Wemyss, Knight, living in 1280, did homage to EDWARD I, 1296, and is said to have married the heiress of Sir David Lochore, of Lochore.

He died in 1320, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR DAVID WEMYSS, of Wemyss, Knight; from whom lineally descended

SIR JOHN WEMYSS, of Wemyss, who married firstly, in 1574, Margaret, eldest daughter of William, Earl of Morton, but by that lady had no issue; and secondly, in 1581, Anne, sister of James, Earl of Moray, by who he had, with other issue,

SIR JOHN WEMYSS, of Wemyss, who was created a baronet in 1625; and elevated to the peerage, in 1628, in the dignity of Baron Wemyss.

His lordship was advanced, in 1633, to the dignities of Lord Elcho and Methel and EARL OF WEMYSS.

This nobleman, though indebted for his honours to CHARLES I, took part against his royal master, and sided with the parliamentarians.

He wedded, in 1610, Jane, daughter of Patrick, 7th Lord Gray, by whom he had six children, and was succeeded in 1649 by his only son,

DAVID, 2nd Earl (1610-79), who married thrice.

His lordship's third wife, Margaret, daughter of John, 6th Earl of Rothes, by whom he had an only surviving daughter, MARGARET, in whose favour his lordship, having resigned his peerage to the Crown, obtained, in 1672, a new patent, conferring the honours of the family, with the original precedency, upon her ladyship.

He died in 1680, when the baronetcy expired, but the other dignities descended, accordingly, to his daughter,

THE LADY MARGARET WEMYSS, as 3rd Countess of Wemyss.

Her ladyship espoused SIR JAMES WEMYSS, of Caskyerry, who was created, in 1672, for life, Lord Burntisland, having had previously a charter of Burntisland Castle.

The issue of this marriage were,

DAVID, successor to the Countess's honours;
Anne, who wedded David, Earl of Leven and Melville;
Margaret, wedded to David, Earl of Northesk.

The Countess of Wemyss espoused secondly, George, 1st Earl of Cromarty, but had no issue by his lordship.

Lady Wemyss died in 1705, and was succeeded by her only son,

DAVID, 4th Earl, who was appointed, by Queen ANNE, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, sworn of the Privy Council, and constituted one of the commissioners for concluding the Treaty of Union.

His lordship married firstly, in 1697, the Lady Anne Douglas, daughter of William, 1st Duke of Queensberry, and sister of James, Duke of Queensberry and Dover, and of William, 1st Earl of March, by whom he had one surviving son,

JAMES, 5th Earl (1699-1756), who married, in 1720, Janet, only daughter and heiress of Colonel Francis Charteris, of Amisfield, in Haddingtonshire, by whom he had issue, his eldest son,

DAVID, Lord Elcho, having been involved in the rising of 1745, fled into France after the battle of Culloden, and was attainted.

The family honours remained, therefore, from the decease of the 5th Earl, during his lordship's life, under the influence of that penal statute; but at the soi disant 6th Earl's demise without issue, in 1787, they were revived, and inherited by his brother,

THE HON FRANCIS WEMYSS-CHARTERIS, as 7th Earl (1723-1808), who wedded, in 1745, the Lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of Alexander, 2nd Duke of Gordon, by whom he had issue, FRANCIS, Lord Elcho (1723-1808).

Francis Wemyss Charteris, soi disant 7th Earl (1723–1808);
Francis Wemyss Charteris Douglas, 8th Earl, 4th Earl of March (1772–1853) (restored 1826);
Francis Wemyss-Charteris, 9th Earl, 5th Earl of March (1795–1883);
Francis Richard Charteris, 10th Earl, 6th Earl of March (1818–1914);
Hugo Richard Charteris, 11th Earl, 7th Earl of March (1857–1937);
(Francis) David Charteris, 12th Earl, 8th Earl of March (1912–2008);
James Donald Charteris, 13th Earl, 9th Earl of March (b 1948).

The heir apparent is his only son (Francis) Richard Charteris, styled Lord Elcho (b 1984), a lawyer.

GOSFORD HOUSE, Longniddry, East Lothian, is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Wemyss and March.

It was built by the 7th Earl between 1790 and 1800.

Gosford House was designed by the architect Robert Adam, who died before the mansion was completed.

The 8th Earl knocked down the wings, and his grandson, the 10th Earl, rebuilt them in 1891 to designs by the architect William Young.

The south wing contains the marble hall.

Gosford is built in the neo-classical style.

During the 2nd World War, the Army occupied the house, and burnt out the main rooms of the central block.

It was re-roofed in 1987, and restoration of the central block is an ongoing process, which has been progressed in the last ten years by Shelagh, Countess of Wemyss and March.

The Marble Hall, in the south wing, is arguably the most arresting of Gosford's many fine interior features.

It was completed in 1891 by William Young for the 10th Earl, and rises to a height of three storeys, with a magnificent double staircase leading to a surrounding picture gallery.

The elaborate fireplace, alabaster colonnades and ornate plasterwork reflect the strong Italianate taste of the 10th Earl, while the Palladian screen of Venetian windows are reminiscent of Adam's original designs.

The ponds in the policies were recently restored by James, the 13th Earl.

Gosford can be seen from Edinburgh on a clear day. It is open to the public in the summer.

The grounds boast an unusual and rare example of a Scottish curling-house.

Neidpath Castle, near Peebles, is also owned by Lord Wemyss; as was Amisfield Park, Haddington, which was sold by the family to the local council in 1928.

First published in January, 2014.

Orangefield House

THE HOUSTONS OWNED 5,999 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN 

The family of HOUSTON is believed to have fixed its abode in Ulster during the 17th century as a result of the Scottish plantations (of Protestant settlers), soldiers under CROMWELL who stayed, and, later, persecuted the Covenanters. They settled mainly in the counties of Antrim, Londonderry, Armagh, and Down.

WILLIAM HOUSTON wedded, in 1732, Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua McGeough, of Drumsill, County Armagh, and had (with two other sons and a daughter, all of whom died unmarried) an eldest son,

THOMAS HOUSTON, who married, in 1765, Mary, daughter of John Holmes (c1773-1825), a Belfast merchant and banker.

John Holmes was a founding member of the Belfast Bank. Known as the ‘Bank of the Four Johns’, it soon was doing decent business in the town. Indeed, such was the extent of their success that other merchants in the town set up a rival partnership. 

Holmes was sent by the Belfast Charitable Society to London to negotiate with Lord Donegall, for rights to water for the Poor House and to discover whether elm, lead or iron pipes would be best to use in Belfast’s new water system.

Mr Houston died in 1771, leaving a son,

JOHN HOLMES HOUSTON (c1767-1843), of Orangefield, County Down, High Sheriff of County Down, 1826, who espoused, in 1792, his cousin Eliza, daughter of John Holmes, of Belfast.

Houston memorial, Rosemary St Church (Timothy Ferres)

There is a fine memorial to John Holmes Houston at the First Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street, Belfast.

His eldest and last surviving daughter,

MARY ISABELLA HOUSTON, espoused, in 1827, Richard Bayly Blakiston, Royal Artillery, afterwards BLAKISTON-HOUSTON, of Orangefield and Roddens, County Down, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Richard Matthew, d 1847;
Thomas, 1833-60;
Charles William, 1836-61;
Anne; Eliza Houston.

Mr Blakiston, High Sheriff of County Down, 1848, was the fifth son of Sir Matthew Blakiston Bt.

Blakiston baronets' coat-of-arms

On the death of his father-in-law, in 1843, he assumed the surname of HOUSTON, in addition to his patronymic, BLAKISTON.

His eldest son,

JOHN BLAKISTON-HOUSTON JP DL (1829-1920), of Orangefield and Roddens, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, High Sheriff of County Down, 1860, MP for North Down, 1898, married, in 1859, Marian, second daughter of Richard Streatfeild, of The Rocks, Sussex, and had issue,

RICHARD, his heir;
Thomas;
Charles, MP for Belfast Dock, 1929-33;
James Edward;
John (1881-1959), major-general;
Mary Charlotte; Annie Marian; Dora; Mabel; Isabel; Ethel; Hilda.

His eldest son,

RICHARD BLAKISTON-HOUSTON JP DL (1864-1933), of Orangefield and Roddens, High Sheriff of County Down, 1922, wedded, in 1897, Lilian Agnes, daughter of George Jardine Kidston, and had issue,

JOHN MATTHEW;
George, 1900-25;
Marian, 1905-91;
Elizabeth Agnes, 1911-56.

His eldest son,

JOHN MATTHEW BLAKISTON-HOUSTON DL (1898-1984), of Beltrim Castle, County Tyrone, Lieutenant-Colonel, 11th Hussars, High Sheriff of County Down, 1944, wedded, in 1931, Lettice Arden, daughter of Henry Gervas Stobart.

Colonel Blakiston-Houston was raised at Orangefield House and lived there or at the other family homes of Finlaystone Langbank, Renfrewshire, and Roddens, near Ballywalter, County Down.

He served in 1st World War from 1916, and left the army in 1934 after his grandfather died. It's thought that he no longer inhabited Orangefield after that date, and the house was sold in a dilapidated state, with the freehold retained, which itself was sold, it is thought, in the early 1960s. 

By his wife he had issue,

RICHARD PATRICK;
Mary Bridget; Anne; Prudence; Elizabeth; Patience.

Colonel Blakiston-Houston's only son,

RICHARD PATRICK BLAKISTON-HOUSTON OBE JP DL (1948-), of Beltrim Castle and Roddens, High Sheriff of County Down, 1989, married, in 1988, Lucinda Mary Lavinia, daughter of Lieutenant-Commander Theodore Bernard Peregrine Hubbard RN, by his wife, the Lady Miriam Fitzalan-Howard, and granddaughter of the 3rd Baron Howard of Glossop MBE, and had issue,

Jack Peregrine, b 1989;
Christopher George, b 1991;
Letitia Sadhbh Miriam, b 1993;
Felicia Grace Miriam, b 1994;
Harry Charles, b 1996;
Michael Peter, b 1998.

The Blakiston-Houstons owned 1,086 acres of land in County Armagh, 111 acres in County Dublin, and 28 acres in County Antrim.

I have written about the Batesons and Belvoir House here.

I have written about the Blakiston Baronets here.

The Blakiston-Houstons are thought to be related to General Sam Houston, after which Houston, Texas, USA, was named.

Orangefield House, 1902, by the Lady Mabel Annesley (Image: PRONI © 2011)

ORANGEFIELD HOUSE, Knockbreda, Belfast, was built ca 1857 for John Blakiston-Houston to replace an older 18th century mansion.

It stood on an elevated position overlooking its surrounding parkland.

The parkland was bounded by Grand Parade, Castlereagh Road, Knock Road, and the old railway line to the north.

The Victorian mansion-house consisted of two storeys (possibly above a basement) with three U-shaped dormers.

The garden front, facing westwards, consisting of a central curved bow with three bays on either side.

The south elevation had an identical curved bow, with one bay on each side of it.

There was a smaller, two storey office or service wing to the north side, of a lower height and with prominent chimneys.

1903 Map of Orangefield House

The north wing extended to the stable-yard.

Extensive sweeping lawns, landscaped gardens, paths, greenhouses and parkland; a walled garden, and paddocks.

IN 1934, the Blakiston-Houston family offered Belfast Corporation (now the city council) part of the Orangefield estate to develop as a public park.

The corporation, although keen to buy the land, felt that the price was too high at the time.  

Parkland to the west; glasshouses and walled gardens to the east

After lengthy negotiations, they bought part of the site in 1938 for £20,000 (roughly £1 million in today's money).

Much of the demesne developed ca 1938 as the Orby housing estate (named after the 1909 Derby winner); most of the remainder acquired in the 1950s for schools and playing-fields.

Site of the home farm at the River Knock in 2013

Development work was put on hold due to the 2nd World War and plans for the park were only drawn up in 1947. 

Original ideas included football, hockey and cricket pitches, a polo pitch, a bowling green, a quoits and marbles pitch, a cycle track and pitch and putt course, tennis courts, pavilions and store buildings.

Mr R H Blakiston-Houston tells me that the polo ground was only built over about 2002; and was located at Orangefield Crescent, having been previously let to Glentoran Football Club as a practice ground.

There is an interesting account of the wildlife in the old estate grounds in the 1950s. It talks of wrens, kestrels, redwings, tree creepers, fieldfares, sand martins, corncrakes, snipe, a heron “waiting for its breakfast to swim along”. And kingfishers:- ‘suddenly a flash of brilliant blue darts down the river, could he be nest-site hunting?" Hard to believe if you see that river now, though a trusted friend swears he spotted a kingfisher there in the early 1980s!

After the war, the remnant of the estate was purchased by the Education Authority.

Building work commenced in the mid 50s in what was the garden of the big house.

The Boys’ school opened in 1957 and the Girls’ school 1960, due to difficulties with the foundations.

The mansion’s charred shell remained until the early 1970s when it was demolished to make way for an extension to the girls’ school.

The mansion-house stood where Houston Park is today.

I believe part of the stone wall still exists in two locations.

The stable block was demolished approximately ten years ago.

During the building of this extension a worker discovered an old brick-lined well.

The brick was removed and used in the construction of the chimney breasts of the printers workshop in the Ulster Folk Museum at Cultra.

Home Farm, 1903

Some distance to the north of the house was the Home Farm, including an estate school, corn-mill, water-mill, mill-pond and mill-race.

Th farm was lately managed by the Buller family (now of Scarva) prior to the land being developed in the 1930s.

No trace of the once-thriving farm exists today. Its site is now playing-fields.

Site of Orangefield House at Houston Park in 2013

The main entrance was to the north-west: a pair a gate lodges at the Knock River.

They began at what is now Orangefield Lane. Today there is no trace of them at all.

 

2013: Former main entrance, where twin lodges once stood

There were four lodges at one time, to the north, south, east and west.

*****

THE PINKERTON MANUSCRIPTS state that WILLIAM III  reviewed his army at Orangefield in 1690, though there is no documentary evidence to verify this claim.

It's plausible that Orangefield was given its name by the family of De Beers, Huguenots who once lived in the area.

Their estate in Europe was called Orangefield.

A troop of Lord Hewitt's Horse, later known as 6th Dragoon Guards/Carabiniers, under the command of Colonel Robert Byerley, was stationed at Orangefield in 1690.

The first mention of Orange-Field [sic] would appear to be on a lease dated the 4th September, 1720, in which Robert Bateson of Belfast, merchant, acquired a leasehold interest.

I know little of the original 18th century Orangefield House.

The Bateson family were certainly living at Orangefield in 1779.

Between 1809-18, Sir Robert Bateson acquired Belvoir Park, a large mansion and estate at Newtownbreda, within close proximity to Orangefield.

Orangefield's new owner became Hugh Crawford, whose family resided there until about 1837, when it was purchased by the wealthy banker John Holmes Houston.

The original house was demolished about 1857 to make way for the Victorian mansion.   

First published in August, 2011; revised 2015. Photograph of Orangefield House by kind permission of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Blakiston-Houston arms courtesy of the NLI.

Torr Head

Torr Head (W A Green/ Ulster Museum)

TORR HEAD, the Parliamentary Gazetteer of about 1844 remarks, is a headland in the parish of Culfeightrin, barony of Cary, County Antrim.

It screens the south side of Murlough Bay, is situated five miles north of Cushendun, and is the nearest point of the mainland nearest to Scotland, being directly opposite the Mull of Kintyre.

It consists of mica slate, with subordinate beds of limestone, syenite, and feldspar porphyry; but in the bay to the north of it are most interesting columnar formations of trap rock, and on the loftier portions of the hills behind it are beds of sandstone and chalk, capped in some instances with basalt.

It may be regarded as a mere projection of the cliffs of Cushleake; and it is immediately overhung by the hill of Cairnlea, whose summit has an altitude above sea-level of 1,250 feet.

The scenery of the headland itself and of the bay which it screens, is singularly grand, yet very little known.

"Soon after we turned from the main road towards the coast," say Mr and Mrs Hall, "we entered a wild district, walked along a barren heath, looked upon Torr Point, stood above the several headlands, gazed, until we became giddy, upon giant rocks, from the summits of terrific cliffs, and commenced a descent into the bay of Murlough."

"There are spots - small unrecorded places - nooks hid beneath cliff or mountain, mere corners of the island, that altogether escape the tourist who bowls along the splendid rocks which render the great leading features of the scenery of the county of Antrim so easy of examination."

"Let the visitor on no account omit to inspect this bay - a scene of unspeakable grandeur and beauty."

Torr Head is a coastguard station; and the fisheries within its district were worked by 73 men, with one open sail-boat and 17 row-boats.

Torr Head (Historic OS map); click to enlarge

The Government established a revenue station at Torr Head ca 1730 in order to combat smuggling.

A century later, in 1832, a signal staff stood at the summit of the headland; and a few buildings also existed at Boat Port, a cove to the south of Torr Head.

These buildings were a water guard's house and a boat house.

This establishment had been under the control of the Board of Customs since 1822.

The coastguard houses were erected ca 1879.

Torr Head signal station (Image: D McAlister & Son)

The former station subsequently became a station and watch house.

In 1898 Guglielmo Marconi, 1st Marquis of Marconi, and his assistants contacted Rathlin Island by radio from Torr Head to prove that wireless communication was a viable proposition. 

The idea was to send notice to London or Liverpool of ships arriving safely after a transatlantic crossing – most vessels on this route would have to pass through the channel north of Rathlin Island. 

Lloyd's of London took a keen interest in this development because until then it relied on semaphore pigeons to relay sightings of ships passing in and out of the North Channel from their watch station at Rathlin’s East Lighthouse to Torr Head.

Torr Head signal station (Image: D McAlister & Son)

The Coastguard entered into a formal agreement with Lloyd's of London in 1906, whereby the station would also act as a signal station on the company’s behalf.

The Admiralty retained the right to exclusive use of the station in the event of war; thus, during the 1st World War, Torr Head served as a War Signal Station.

The station and houses were raided for weapons by the IRA in 1920.

The premises were consequently evacuated in September that year.

Torr Head (Image: Freyssinet Ltd)

The coastguard houses were burned to the ground by an arsonist in November.

The station continued in use by the coastguard until the 1970s, until it was sold and became a private dwelling.

The signal station was derelict in 2023, though has since been sold to a private buyer.

First published in February, 2023.

Lennoxvale, Belfast

The daily stretch of the sprightly legs took me, in 2021, back to Malone Road in Belfast, specifically the short, leafy, secluded cul-de-sac, Lennoxvale.

Lennoxvale House (Image: Stone Database)

Lennoxvale is best known today as the location of the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor of the Queen's University of Belfast.

Queen's University in fact possesses practically all of the properties in Lennoxvale, to my knowledge.

Lennoxvale (Image: William Arthur Green (1870-1958))

Lennoxvale is located at 56 Malone Road, not far from Fisherwick Church.

I expect, however, that when it was first built in the 1870s most of the houses were private homes.

Lennoxvale Entrance at Malone Road (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

The entrance to this cul-de-sac, at Malone Road, has a pair of Victorian, cast-iron, painted pillars.

Roundels at the front proclaim the name Lennoxvale.

Edgehill College, at the end of the cul-de-sac, is directly opposite the entrance to Vice-Chancellor's Lodge.

It was built in 1875 as a private residence.

Lennoxvale House, today known as Vice-Chancellor's Lodge, dates from ca 1873.

Gateway to Vice-Chancellor's Lodge (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

Much has already been written about this property, tucked away at the end of the road in its own private grounds.

It's described as being a lofty three-storey building made of Scrabo stone, with a Scottish demeanour.

Its original owner was John Ward of Marcus Ward and Company; and its next owner, ca 1906, was Sir William Whitla MP, who bequeathed Lennoxvale House and its grounds in 1934 to the University as an official residence for future Vice-Chancellors.

FROM Lennoxvale I emerged again at Malone Road, walked about eighty yards to Fisherwick Church, where I turned right into Chlorine Gardens, on to Stranmillis Road.

Mount Pleasant from Stranmillis Road (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

Mount Pleasant, beside St Bartholomew's Church, is one of my favourite places in Belfast (as is Upper Crescent).

In 1919 the new parish of St Bartholomew was created, incorporating areas from the parishes of St Thomas and Malone. The Rev Herbert Lindsay had been in charge of the new parish since its inception, having been curate since 1913. 

In 1925 the lease of a two-acre site at Mount Pleasant was purchased. The foundation stone was laid on February 9 1929, and the Church was consecrated on September 13 1930.

Fifty years ago Mount Pleasant was home to professors, barristers and clergy.

It dates from about 1860.

First published in February, 2021.

Lyons of Old Park

THE LYONS' OWNED 1,491 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM

This family was originally of Scottish extraction.

DAVID LYONS, of Belfast (son of Thomas Lyons (1624-93), who was buried at Shankill, Belfast), had issue, by Kate his wife,

DAVID, of whom presently;
Anne, m Thomas Foster.

Mr Lyons died in 1717, and was succeeded by his only son,

DAVID LYONS (1701-72), of Old Park, Belfast, who wedded firstly, Mary, daughter of Elias Boyd, and had issue.

By his second wife, Jane, he had issue,

THOMAS, of whom presently;
Henry;
William;
Mary; Anne; Eleanor; Elizabeth; Jane; Sarah.

Mr Lyons was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS LYONS (1747-1806), of Old Park, who espoused, in 1778, Sarah, daughter of Andrew Armstrong, of Clara, King's County, and Dublin, and had issue,

HENRY, his heir;
WILLIAM HOLMES, successor to his brother;
Edward Forbes;
Eliza; Juliana.

Mr Lyons was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY LYONS (1779-1839), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

WILLIAM HOLMES LYONS (1781-1849), of Old Park, who wedded, in 1810, Anne, daughter of the Rev William Bristow, Vicar of Belfast, and Sovereign of Belfast, by Rose, his wife, daughter of George Cary, of Redcastle, County Donegal, and had issue,

WILLIAM THOMAS BRISTOW, his heir;
Sarah (1818-1905).

Mr Lyons was succeeded by his only son,

WILLIAM THOMAS BRISTOW LYONS JP DL (1812-87), of Old Park, Belfast, and Brookhill, Lisburn, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1866, who married, in 1840, Julia Maria, daughter of James Jones, of Mount Edward, County Sligo, and had issue,

WILLIAM HENRY HOLMES, his heir;
Robert Colvill Jones, of Lime Hill house, Tunbridge Wells;
Henry Kenneth Thomas, of Denver, USA;
James Bristow;
Clarence Edward;
Eliza; Julia Maria; Dorinda Anna Henrietta; Edith Arabella Louisa Florence;
Constance Adela Hastings; Julie Marie Louise.

Mr Lyons was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON WILLIAM HENRY HOLMES LYONS JP DL (1843-1924), of Brookhill, Lisburn, Old Park, Belfast, and Richmond Lodge, County Down, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1904, Grand Master, Orange Lodge of Ireland, who espoused, in 1888, Mary Eliza (Lily), eldest daughter of George Evans, of Gortmerron House, County Tyrone, and had issue, 

WILLIAM HOLMES ST JOHN, his heir;
Vera Patricia Mabel; Evyleen Sara Evans; Lily Eileen.

Mr Lyons was succeeded by his only son,

WILLIAM HOLMES ST JOHN LYONS (1888-1918), Lieutenant, Middlesex Regiment, who married, in 1907, Doris Margaret, youngest daughter of George A Walpole FRCS, of Gormanston, Tasmania.

Old Park House (Image: Richard Graham)

OLD PARK HOUSE, Belfast, would appear to have been mid-Georgian.

It was built for David Lyons, who also owned a bleach-yard in the Oldpark area of Belfast in the 1750s.

Old Park features in J A K Dean's Plight of the Big House in Northern Ireland, published in 2020.

Lyons Family Plot at Knockbreda Church-yard

David Lyons' wife, Mary, had her name recorded at Shankill graveyard in 1739, presumably before he took over or built the bleach-yard.

George Benn, the celebrated Belfast historian, described Old Park thus in 1877:

A beautiful rural home, with fine gardens and trees, and a convenient distance from the "madding crowd." Now, in our time, the 42 acres of which the demesne consists are advertised to be let in lots for villas or streets, which will doubtless be the case in due time.

Benn remarked that Old Park had been built a century ago, making its erection in the 1770s.

Old Park remained in the Lyons family until about 1868, when Thomas Lyons moved to Brookhill, near Lisburn, the Belfast boundaries having surpassed the old demesne.

Old Park House subsequently became the property of William Robertson, of Hawkins, Robertson & Ferguson, drapers, of the Bank Buildings, Belfast.

A plaque in the ambulatory of Belfast Cathedral, recording that Mr Lyons lived for some time at Brookhill, Lisburn, was placed in his memory by his mother, Anne.

The plaque was originally in St Anne's parish church.

First published in January, 2013. Lyons arms courtesy of the NLI.

Castle Bellingham

THE BELLINGHAM BARONETS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LOUTH, WITH 4,186 ACRES

AND 11,810 ACRES IN COUNTY MAYO

This ancient family derives its surname from the village of Bellingham, Northumberland, where it appears to have been seated immediately after the Conquest; and its descent in a direct male line, without any interruption, from

WILLIAM DE BELLINGHAM, Sheriff of Tynedale, Northumberland, 1279, and forester of the district for ALEXANDER III, King of Scots.

RICHARD DE BELLINGHAM, probably his son, married Margaret, daughter and heir of Sir Gilbert de Burneside, and went to reside at Burneside, near Kendal, Westmorland.

His descendant, 

ROBERT BELLINGHAM, of Burneside, living during the time of HENRY V, wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Tunstall, KG, and had issue,

Henry (Sir), of Burneside;

Richard, ancestor of Burnside of Lincolnshire;

Thomas, settled in Sussex;

ALAN, of whom hereafter.

The youngest son,

ALAN BELLINGHAM, eighth son of Robert Bellingham, of Bellingham, Northumberland, purchased Levens, near Kendal, and erected a mansion there, which subsequently became the chief residence of his successors.

He had a grant from HENRY VIII of the Lumley Fee, Barony of Kendal, and was Treasurer of Berwick and Deputy Warden of the Marches. 

He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Gilpin, of Kentmore, and was succeeded by his son,

THOMAS BELLINGHAM, of Levens, Westmorland, who wedded Marion, daughter of Thomas Beck, of Holbeck.

His eldest son,

ALAN BELLINGHAM (c1517-78), of Helsington and Levens, MP for Westmorland, 1571, and a Bencher of the Middle Temple, married firstly, Catherine, daughter of Anthony Duckett, of Grayrigg. She dsp.

He wedded secondly, Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Sandford (Sandforth), of Askham, Westmorland, and died in 1578, having had issue, seven sons and eight daughters, including,

Thomas, died in infancy;

James, his heir;

Henry;

ROBERT, of whom we treat;

Alan.

A younger son,

ROBERT BELLINGHAM (1576-1639), of Dublin, who entered the Middle Temple, 1595, inherited from his father the lands of Great Strickland and Milkinthorpe, which he probably sold before migrating to Ireland.

He was Sheriff of County Longford, 1611-12, and was appointed Attorney to the Second Remembrancer of the Exchequer of Ireland by Lord Chichester, when Lord Treasurer, 1616-22.

He wedded Margaret Whyte (d 1668) of the family of Clongill, County Meath, and had, with other issue,

Daniel (Sir), first Baronet, of Dubber;

HENRY, of whom hereafter.

Mr Robert Bellingham died at Kendal in 1639; his younger son,

HENRY BELLINGHAM, of Gernonstown, County Louth, sworn of the Goldsmiths' Guild, 1652, Cornet in the Army, purchased Gernonstown and other lands from a trooper to whom they had been granted by Oliver Cromwell, in lieu of arrears of pay, confirmed by CHARLES II.

Mr Bellingham, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1671, died in 1676, and was succeeded by his son and heir,

COLONEL THOMAS BELLINGHAM (1646-1721), of Gernonstown  (Castle Bellingham), MP for County Louth, 1692-1713, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1684 and 1690, Colonel in the army of WILLIAM III, who acted as His Majesty's guide during the march of the army from Dundalk to the Boyne.

After that battle, he accompanied the King to Duleek.

In consequence, JAMES II's army destroyed Castle Bellingham by fire.

Colonel Bellingham married, in 1671, Abigail Handcock, and was father of

HENRY BELLINGHAM (1676-c1740), of Castle Bellingham, MP for Dundalk, 1703-1714, who wedded Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Moore, and was succeeded by his elder son,

HENRY BELLINGHAM (c1713-55), of Castle Bellingham, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1734, MP for Louth, 1741-55, who married Margaret, daughter of Hugh Henry, of Straffan, County Kildare; but dying without surviving issue, was succeeded by his brother, 

COLONEL ALAN BELLINGHAM (c1709-96), of Castle Bellingham, Surveyor of the Port of Drogheda, who wedded, in 1738, Alice, daughter and co-heir of the Rev Hans Montgomery, of Grey Abbey, County Down, and had (with four daughters), five sons, namely,

Henry;
Alan;
O'Brien;
Thomas, Royal Navy;
WILLIAM, of whom presently.

The youngest son,

WILLIAM BELLINGHAM (c1756-1826), of Castle Bellingham, MP for Reigate, 1784-87, married, in 1783, Hester Frances, youngest daughter of the Hon and Rev Robert Cholmondeley, and granddaughter of George, 3rd Earl of Cholmondeley, but had no issue.

Mr Bellingham was created a baronet in 1796, designated of Castle Bellingham, County Louth, with special remainder to the heirs male of his deceased father.

Sir William was accordingly succeeded by his nephew, 

SIR ALAN BELLINGHAM, 2nd Baronet (1776-1827), of Castle Bellingham, who espoused, in 1799, Elizabeth, 2nd daughter of Reed Edward Walls, of Boothby Hall, Lincolnshire; and had issue,

ALAN EDWARD;
Henry Richard;
O'Brien;
Sidney Robert;
William Johnson;
Mary Anne Jane; Frances Elizabeth; Charlotte Sophia.

Sir Alan was succeeded by his son,

SIR ALAN EDWARD BELLINGHAM, 3rd Baronet (1800-89), DL, of Castle Bellingham, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1829, who married, in 1841, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Clarke, and had issue,

ALAN HENRY, his successor;
William Claypon (Rev);
Hester Elizabeth; Charlotte Mary; Frances Anne Jane; Agnes Matilda; Alice Sophia.

Sir Alan was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR (ALAN) HENRY BELLINGHAM, 4th Baronet (1846-1921), of Castle Bellingham, Barrister, Captain, Royal Irish Rifles, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1897, Lord-Lieutenant of County Louth, 1911-21, who wedded firstly, in 1874, the Lady Constance Julia Eleanor Georgiana Noel, daughter of Charles, 2nd Earl of Gainsborough, and had issue,

EDWARD HENRY CHARLES PATRICK, his successor;
Roger Charles Noel, father of the 6th Baronet;
Ida Mary Elizabeth Agnes; Augusta Mary Monica.

Sir Henry espoused secondly, in 1895, Lelgarde Harry Florence, daughter of Augustus Clifton Wykeham.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR EDWARD HENRY CHARLES PATRICK BELLINGHAM, 5th Baronet (1879-1956), CMG DSO, of Castle Bellingham, Brigadier-General, Lord-Lieutenant of County Louth, 1921-22, who espoused, in 1904, Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Alfred Payne, and had issue, an only child, GERTRUDE MARY.

Sir Edward died without male issue, when the title reverted to his cousin,

SIR ROGER CARROLL PATRICK STEPHEN BELLINGHAM, 6th Baronet (1911-73), who married, in 1941, Mary, daughter of William Norman, and had issue,

NOEL PETER ROGER, 7th Baronet;

ANTHONY EDWARD NORMAN, 8th Baronet.

The elder son,

SIR NOEL PETER ROGER BELLINGHAM, 7th Baronet (1943-99), died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR ANTHONY EDWARD NORMAN BELLINGHAM, 8th Baronet (1947-2015), who wedded firstly, in 1991, Denise Marie Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Calvin Moity, and had issue,

WILLIAM ALEXANDER NOEL HENRY, his successor.

He married secondly, in 1998, Namfon Buchar.

Sir Anthony was succeeded by his son and heir,

SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER NOEL BELLINGHAM, 9th Baronet, born in 1991, 

The current heir presumptive is Alan Hall Bellingham (b. 1960), a cousin of the present holder.

The 5th Baronet was the last Lord-Lieutenant of County Louth, from 1921 until 1922.

The Bellinghams owned 11,810 acres in County Mayo.

THE CASTLE, Castlebellingham, County Louth, has served as one of the ancestral homes for Bellinghams since the 17th century.

It was purchased and built ca 1660 by Henry Bellingham, a cornet in the Army during the civil war.

He purchased the lands of Gernonstown, Louth, from a fellow soldier who had been granted them in lieu of arrears of pay.

The purchase was confirmed by CHARLES II.

The castle was occupied by troops and burned down in the autumn of 1689 by JAMES II in revenge for Colonel Thomas Bellingham being a guide for WILLIAM III, prior to the battle of the Boyne.

It is said that King William's armies camped the night before the battle in the grounds of the castle.

Castle Bellingham eventually became known as an important gathering point in the county. Fairs were held there every year.

A church was constructed next door to the castle and graveyard with a family vault was built.

The Bellinghams became one of the most powerful and influential family in the county.

For over a hundred years a Bellingham held the seat in Parliament for County Louth.

A history of the parish, dated 1908, states that the impressive Calvary standing close to the Castle was erected by Sir Henry Bellingham as a monument to the memory of his first wife Lady Constance.

Much more interesting for tourists and local history buffs, is the collection of inset religious panels to be seen on the upper facades of many of the village buildings.

These are also a reflection of Sir Henry's religious sentiments, and they are unique in Ireland.

In addition to the many pretty panels, there are biblical quotations cut into the stone window sills of some buildings.

North of the refurbished castle/hotel is a group of "widows' dwellings", built from charitable motives by Sir Henry, and these are architectural gems which have been carefully preserved.

The last Bellingham baronet to live there was Brigadier-General Sir Edward Bellingham, 5th Baronet, and last Lord-Lieutenant of County Louth.

Castle Bellingham was the ancestral seat of the Bellingham Baronets until about the late 1950s, when it was eventually purchased by Dermot Meehan in 1958 from the Irish Land Commission for £3,065.00.

He spent several years converting the house into a hotel called the Bellingham Castle Hotel.

Mr Meehan sold the Castle on 17 acres in 1967 for £30,636.61.

The hotel, including the 17 acres, was recently on the market for €1.5 million.

*****

BELLINGHAM CASTLE has reopened as a country house hotel.
The same proprietor owns Ballyseede Castle and CABRA CASTLE.
The rooms appear to have been restored and furnished most elegantly and admirably, in keeping with such a historic property.

*****

The castle stands on the site of an earlier medieval castle which was burnt by King James's soldiers before the battle of the Boyne in the late-17th century, as Colonel Thomas Bellingham was fighting for WILLIAM III.

It was remodelled in the late-18th century, when a third storey was added and in the early-19th century it took the shape we see today with its crenellated parapet, turrets and towers.

The Gothic embellishments, which are echoed in the entrance gates, can be seen on every elevation and it is the little details, such as the gargoyled boss to the base of a turret on the east elevation and the decorative label stops on the hood mouldings of some windows that create a pleasing, yet interesting, contrast to the Georgian classical windows seen on the main elevations.

Castle Bellingham played a central part in the development of the village to which it gives its name.

Much of the village is occupied by estate houses and many of their former occupants would have worked on the estate in its heyday.

First published in July, 2012.