1st Earl of Tyrconnell

THE LEGENDARY IRISH KINGDOM OF TYRCONNELL IS ASSOCIATED GEOGRAPHICALLY WITH COUNTY DONEGAL

MANUS O'DONNELL, "Rex Tyrconnelliæ," succeeded his father, Sir Hugh Duff O'Donnell, as Chieftain in 1537.

He was married four times, and died in 1564.

Of his sons we shall treat with

SIR HUGH McMANUS O'DONNELL, King of Tyrconnell, who married firstly and had issue,

Duncan;

Donnell;

Rory;

Joan; another daughter.

He married secondly, Iníon Dubh, daughter of the house of the McDonnells of the Isles, and had further issue,

HUGH ROE, his heir;

RORY, succeeded his brother;

Manus;

Cathbarr;

Nuala; Margaret; Mary; Gráinne.

The eldest son of his second marriage,

HUGH ROE O'DONNELL (c1572-1602), Red Hugh, was perhaps the most dangerous antagonist the English government ever had to contend with in Ireland: in early life he not only displayed considerable genius and independence of spirit, but made those qualities prized among his clansmen and countrymen, by the noble generosity of his manners, and the matchless symmetry of his form.

In former times, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell, and the O'Neills of Tyrone, were often addressed by the English monarch as his equals, and aid against foreign foes was more than once asked of them, as peers in royalty, by English monarchs.

In 1244, HENRY III solicited help by a letter, still on record, addressed, "Donaldo Regi de Tirconnell;" and some of the successors of the puissant HENRY III, and the scarcely less proud king of Tyrconnell, interchanged these royal courtesies as peers in degree.

It was not unnatural that the high-spirited young Hugh should desire to substantiate an independence so often and so distinctly recognized.

Burke's Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages (1866) apprises us that he made no secret of his intentions, which were soon the theme of conversation throughout Ireland, and which reaching the ears of the Lord Justice, alarmed in no light measure the royal council in Dublin Castle.

Sir John Perrot, Lord Deputy of Ireland, instead of courting the haughty young chieftain with honours and favour, framed a plot to seize him, which, though successful at the time, conduced eventually to render implacable the proud and injured youth.

In 1587 a ship, laden with Spanish wines, was fitted out and dispatched to one of the harbours of Tyrconnell, and the young Hugh O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell, having been lured by false appearances to trust himself on board, he was made prisoner and conveyed to Dublin Castle.

There he was held captive for three full years, but in 1591, he managed to elude his keepers, and found means to pass into Tyrconnell, where, his aged father resigning in his favour, he was proclaimed by the tribes chief of his name, and the white wand, the simple sceptre of his sway, was placed in his hands, with solemn and time-honoured rites by the Coarb of Kilmacrenan.

For the sixteen years following he was the scourge and terror of the government.

He kept his mountain territory of Donegal, in spite of ELIZABETH I's best generals: carried his excursions to the remotest parts of Munster, and made his power dreaded, and his name a word of terror, "even in the rich plains of Meath, and to where the Shannon blends its waters with the Atlantic."

At last, the only military fault he was ever known to commit led to his total rout at Kinsale in the early spring of 1601, by LORD MOUNTJOY, one of the ablest generals, and perhaps the wisest statesman ever sent by England to Ireland.

Hugh Roe, King of Tyrconnell, this bold and ill-fated chieftain, was the first exile of the O'Donnells.

After the defeat of the Irish, and the inefficient force of their Spanish allies at Kinsale, he sailed for Spain to crave further succours of PHILIP III, King of Spain.

In the known religious sympathies of the Spanish king, the exile set his trust; and, as the annalists quaintly tell us, "moreover, on account of that monarch's love for the Gaels, from their having primally come out of Spain to invade Ireland, as is manifest in the Book of Invasions."

On the 6th January, 1602, O'Donnell, with his brave companions, took shipping at Castlehaven, near Bantry; and on the 14th of the same month, he landed at Corunna, where he was nobly received by the Conde de Caraçena, then Governor of Galicia, who invited him to lodge in his house.

The Annals of the Four Masters record faithfully the princely welcome PHILIP III gave him; but O'Donnell's course was well-nigh run.

On his arrival at Simancas, two leagues from the court, which was sojourning at Valladolid, the exiled chieftain took his death sickness, and died on the 10th September, 1602, in the house which the King of Spain had in that town of Simancas.

THIS celebrated Irishman had no child and was consequently succeeded by his brother,

RORY O'DONNELL (1575-1608), last King of Tyrconnell, who submitting to the English government, surrendered his royalty, and obtained a re-grant of his lands from the Crown, to be held in capite; and was created, in 1603, Baron Donegal and EARL OF TYRCONNELL.

He soon, however, with reason or not, suspected the government of plotting his ruin, and fled to the continent for safety, perhaps for succour.

He bore with him his only son, Hugh, aged but eleven months.

With them fled the Earl's brother, Cathbarr, together with his only son, Hugh, and Cathbarr's young wife, the sister of the chivalrous Sir Cahir O'Doherty.

With them too fled their sister, the Lady Nuala, wife of her valiant but turbulent kinsman, Sir Niall Garve O'Donnell, who, after refusing from the government the title of Baron Lifford, died in the Tower of London, having lain there for a quarter of a century, a state prisoner of the government in whose service he had often risked life and honour against the cause of his tribe and his co-religionists.

Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl, espoused the Lady Bridget FitzGerald, daughter of Henry, 12th Earl of Kildare, and, as we have seen, left an only and infant son, named Hugh, subsequently Hugh Albert.

He lived in Spain and the Low Countries, and styles himself, in existing documents, of almost regal character, Earl of Tyrconnell and Donegal, Baron of Lifford, Lord of Sligo and Lower Connaught, and knight commander of the Order of Alcántara.

He rose to be a general in the French service, married Anna-Margaret, daughter of Maximilien II de Hénin, 5th Count of Bossu, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and a near kinswoman of the last eccentric Duke of Guise.

When the 1st Earl died, this only son was aged about 2½.

For some few years one loses sight of both him and his first cousin, Hugh, son of Cathbarr, but in all probability they were confided to the charge of Cathbarr's youthful widow Rosa, Lady O'Doherty, who wedded secondly, Owen Roe O'Neill, the famous general of the confederate Catholics, in the war against the Parliamentarians.

It may be presumed that she brought back these children from Rome to the archducal court at Brussels.

As both boys were called Hugh, there was added to the name of him who was chief of his house that of the Archduke, his protector, who was in all likelihood his godfather in confirmation; and henceforward this

HUGH ALBERT O'DONNELL (1606-42), 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell.

About this time he was attached as page to the court of the Infanta Isabella, the consort of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria.

That the two young O'Donnells were brought up at the University of Louvain is clear, from the authority of Nicolaus Vernulæus.

The Irish naturally cherished a generous memory of this heir of one of their most famous chieftains.

The court of Spain was fully alive to the political importance of the exile.

Even at the cautious Roman court there appears to have been some that partook in a measure of the illusions of the native Irish, that the exiled O'Donnells might one day be placed by circumstances in a position to renew the stern struggle for their faith and lands, in which fate had declared against their fathers.

In 1641, when the Irish rose in arms to oppose the Parliamentarians, many an anxious eye was turned towards Albert Hugh, the banished heir of Tyrconnell, who was then a Spanish general of reputation.

His military rank and experience, his undoubted claim to the position of chief, though not senior of his clan, the popular belief that he was alluded to in the "old rhyming prophesies," which for ages had such a strong hold upon the Celtic imagination, and even still are not forgotten - all contributed to make some of the ablest of his countrymen look anxiously for his return to his native land.

He seems indeed to have craved permission of the Spanish court to place himself at the service of his country; but owing to the war with France, in which he was employed, this permission was refused; and he was killed in action when his ship engaged a French vessel in 1642 and caught fire, the year following that in which his country had again taken up arms.

Hugh Albert, the 2nd Earl, does not appear to have had any issue.

The titles attainted by JAMES I remained under forfeiture.

First published in November, 2922.  Extracts from Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages (1866)

Mount Stewart House

THE MARQUESSES OF LONDONDERRY WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DOWN, WITH 23,554 ACRES

According to a document in the Historic Buildings Branch of the Northern Ireland Department for Communities,

"Alexander Stewart was the great-grandson of John McGregor, a Scots Highlander who had migrated to Co. Donegal in the early 1600s, and who appears to have changed his name to 'Stewart' in an attempt to disassociate himself from the then attainted McGregor clan.” 

“Alexander became a successful linen merchant, working in both Belfast and London, who served in the Irish House of Commons as MP for Londonderry city for a short period."

WILLIAM STEWART, of Ballylawn Castle, County Donegal (great-grandson of John Stewart, who had a grant from CHARLES I of Stewart's Court Manor, where he erected Ballylawn Castle), took an active part in Ulster affairs in order to prevent the subversion of the constitution, which JAMES II and his chief governor, the Earl of Tyrconnell, were attempting to effect.

He raised a troop of horse at his own expense when the city of Londonderry was occupied, and actively promoted the Protestant interest there by protecting those who were favourably disposed to WILLIAM III.

Mr Stewart was appointed lieutenant-colonel in the regiment commanded by Sir William Stewart, Viscount Mountjoy.

He married the daughter of William Stewart, of Fort Stewart, County Donegal (grandson of the Rt Hon Sir William Stewart Bt, whose descendant was created Baron Stewart of Ramelton and Viscount Mountjoy), and died leaving issue, a daughter,

MARTHA, who wedded John Kennedy, of Cultra, County Down; and two sons, of whom

THOMAS KENNEDY, the eldest, succeeded at Ballylawn Castle, and served as a captain in Lord Mountjoy's regiment.

He espoused Mary, second daughter of Bernard Ward (ancestor of the Viscounts Bangor), by Mary, sister of the Rt Rev Michael Ward, Lord Bishop of Derry; and dying without issue, 1740, was succeeded by his only brother,

ALEXANDER STEWART (1697-1781), of Mount Stewart, County Down, and Ballylawn Castle, County Donegal, MP for Londonderry City, 1760, married, in 1737, his cousin Mary, only surviving daughter of Alderman JOHN COWAN, of Londonderry (by his aunt, Anne Stewart), and sister and heir of Sir Robert Cowan, Knight, Governor of Bombay, and had, with other issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Alexander.

Alexander Stewart, Photo Credit: The National Trust

Mr Stewart was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON ROBERT STEWART (1739-1821), MP for County Down, 1771-83, who, having represented the latter county in parliament, and having been sworn a member of the Privy Council, was elevated to the peerage, in 1789, in the dignity of Baron Londonderry.

His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1795, as Viscount Castlereagh; and to an earldom, in 1796, as Earl of Londonderry.

He was further advanced to the dignity of a marquessate, in 1816, as MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY.

He married firstly, in 1766, the Lady Sarah Frances Seymour, second daughter of Francis, Marquess of Hertford, and had issue,

ROBERT, Viscount Castlereagh, 2nd Marquess.

His lordship wedded secondly, in 1775, the Lady Frances Pratt, eldest daughter of Charles, 1st Earl Camden, and sister of the Marquess Camden, by whom he had issue,

CHARLES WILLIAM, 3rd Marquess;
Frances Anne; Caroline; Georgiana; Selina; Matilda; Emily Jane; Octavia.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT, 2nd Marquess (1769-1822), KG GCH PC; who had already distinguished himself in the political world as Viscount Castlereagh, and filled, under that designation, several high ministerial offices.

His lordship espoused, in 1794, the Lady Amelia (Emily) Hobart, youngest daughter and co-heir of John, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, by whom he had no issue.

The 2nd Marquess died at his seat, North Cray, Kent, in 1822 (at which period he was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), and was succeeded by his half-brother, Lord Stewart, as

CHARLES WILLIAM, 3rd Marquess (1778-1854), who, in 1823, was further created Viscount Seaham and Earl Vane.

He wedded, in 1804, the Lady Catherine Bligh, youngest daughter of John, 3rd Earl of Darnley, by whom he had a son,

FREDERICK WILLIAM ROBERT, 4th Marquess.

His lordship espoused secondly, in 1819, Frances Anne, only daughter and heir of Sir Harry Vane-Tempest, by Anne Catherine, de Jure Countess of Antrim (upon which occasion his lordship assumed the additional surname and arms of VANE), by whom he had further issue,

GEORGE HENRY ROBERT CHARLES WILLIAM, 5th Marquess;
Adolphus Frederick Charles William;
Ernest McDonnell;
A son;
Frances Anne Emily; Alexandrina Octavia Maria; Adelaide Emelina Caroline.

• Frederick William Robert Stewart, 4th Marquess (1805–72);

• George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest, 5th Marquess (1821–84);

• Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 6th Marquess (1852–1915);

• Charles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess (1878–1949);

• Edward Charles Stewart Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess (1902–55);

• Alexander Charles Robert "Alistair" Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 9th Marquess (1937–2012);

• Frederick Aubrey Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 10th Marquess (b 1972).

The heir presumptive is his brother Lord Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart (b 1977).The heir presumptive's heir apparent is his son Robin Gabriel Vane-Tempest-Stewart (b 2004).

MOUNT STEWART HOUSE, near Newtownards, County Down, is a long, two-storey, Classical house of the 1820s.

The main interior feature is a vast central hall consisting of an octagon, top-lit through a balustraded gallery from a dome filled with stained glass.

I have written fondly of Mount Stewart's former swimming-pool HERE.

The estate has one of the most outstanding gardens in the British Isles and has been proposed as a World Heritage Site.

It was formulated within an already established walled demesne on the shores of Strangford Lough on the Ards Peninsula, County Down, with mature shelter tree cover some two hundred years old.

The site benefits from an excellent climate in which a vast range of plants can thrive.

The climatic conditions, the plant collection and the design all combine to make this an outstanding garden in any context; and it is rightfully renowned throughout Europe.

The demesne owes its origin to Alexander Stewart MP (1699-1781), a minor County Donegal landowner and successful linen merchant who, having married his cousin, Mary Cowan, a rich heiress, in 1737, purchased the Colville manors of Comber and Newtownards in 1744 and resolved to build a seat on the present site, then known as Templecrone.

This building, which he initially called Mount Pleasant, was a large, long, low two-storey building, originally painted blue, occupying much the same ground as the present William Morrison house.

Young also mentioned ‘some new plantations, which surround an improved lawn, where Mr. Stewart intends building’ - a reference to landscaping round a planned new house that Alexander Stewart intended to built on the hill lying just south-west of the present walled garden.

His son Robert, later 1st Marquess of Londonderry, advanced his father’s plans once he inherited in 1781.

In June, 1783, the architect James Wyatt was paid for providing plans for ‘New Offices’ and ‘Mansion house intended at Mount Stewart’.

Just south of this house, facing the Portaferry Road running close to the house, he built a small settlement known as Newtown Stewart, which Young described in 1776 as ‘a row of neat stone and slate cabins’ and shown on David Geddas’s Demesne map of 1779 [presently in the house].

The latter was never built, but evidently intended for the same location on Bean Hill near the walled garden.

The walled garden itself was probably completed by 1780-1 for, in 1781, there are payments for the ‘freight for tiles for hothouse’; while, in 1780, the head gardener replanted a vine ‘in the west pine stove’ – apparently the same ancient vine that occupies the west end of the glasshouse today.

The adjacent sprawling farm yard complex, which includes a hexagonal dovecote, was also built around this time, possibly in 1784-5, with the yard being repaired in 1816-17 following a fire.

Further additions were erected here in the 1870s.

The landscape gardener, William King, who may already have been involved in landscaping here in the 1770s, was paid for work in July 1781, May and November 1782.

The park layout as shown on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map is probably largely King’s work, and was laid down sympathetically to the drumlin country, probably assuming the house to be located near the walled garden.

However, most of the demesne plantations were put down over the much longer period, with payments being made between 1785 and 1801.

An important focal point in the park is the Temple of the Winds, reckoned by some to be the finest garden building in Northern Ireland.

Located on a hill on the south side of the park, overlooking the lough, this was begun in 1782 to the designs of James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, who was paid for his work in 1783.

His plans were based on the 1st century BC building of the same name in Athens and sourced from illustrations in the second volume of Stuart and Revett’s Antiquities of Athens (1763).

It is of two storeys over a basement and hipped; an octagonal banqueting house, constructed in Scrabo stone and completed in late 1785, as is evident from payments made to the stonemason David McBlain, the joiner John Ferguson and others (refurbished in 1965 and again in 1994).

It is evident that the temple was formerly a very striking feature in the park-scape, for the plantations around it do not appear to have been established until fifteen or twenty years after its completion.

In the 1790s there was little building activity at Mount Stewart, following the expense of electing Robert’s son, Lord Castlereagh, into Parliament in 1790.

However, in 1802 he decided to modernise part of his existing house and so engaged George Dance, the Younger (1741-1825), who produced plans in 1804 for a Classical Regency replacement of the west wing, which was completed around 1806.

This incorporated grand new reception rooms, complete with a Grecian porte-cochère and gravel sweep on the north front; the wing survives in modified form as the end elevation of the present house.

In the period 1804-18 new approaches were laid down to the house and three gate lodges added.

The new western approach was entered via the Georgian Gothick ‘ink pot’ twin lodges (1808-09), placed on the recently re-aligned Portaferry Road (the road originally ran much closer to the house).

These single-storey twin lodges, notably for their distinctive canted elevations, are probably also the work of George Dance, as is also the nearby contemporary Gothic Clay or Greyabbey gate lodge, notable for its horn-like pinnacles.

At the rear entrance, Hamilton’s Lodge was built in 1817 as part of laying down the new Donaghadee approach; it was later remodelled.

Other buildings at this time included a single-storey, picturesque 'toy fort' hunting lodge of ca 1810, probably by Dance, lying in a wooded area on the north side of the park, and a demesne school house of 1813, formerly a charity school belonging to the Erasmus Smith Foundation; now a house and artist’s studio.

Charles William Stewart (1778-1854) succeeded as 3rd Marquess in 1822, after the suicide of his elder half-brother Lord Castlereagh (who had become 2nd Marquess the previous year); and during the 1820s the family’s resources were focused on building work at Wynyard & Seaham in County Durham and Londonderry House in London.

Eventually, in 1835, the 3rd Marquess and his wife, the heiress Frances Anne Vane-Tempest, invited William Vitruvius Morrison to prepare plans to knock down the old house to the east of the Dance Wing at Mount Stewart, with a scheme to rebuild and enlarge the mansion.

Morrison’s plans were not actually implemented until after the architect’s death in 1838, when work was undertaken between 1845-49, supervised by the Newtownards builder, Charles Campbell.

The new block, as wide as the old house was long, created a new south entrance of eleven bays with an Ionic porte-cochère as its central feature; the old porte-cochère on the north was removed and replaced with a tripartite window.

As work was being completed on the house, a U-shaped rubble-built stable yard was added in 1846 to a design of the architect Charles Campbell, while at the same time improvements were being made in the park, most notably work on digging a new lake between 1846-51 in what was formerly a gravel pit to the north of the house.

Water from this lake was subsequently used to supply the house via McComb’s Hill, through the use of a horse-drawn pump and later a hydraulic ram.

A boat house was built on the south shore, whose waters were linked to the house by a ‘lawn’ meadow dotted with trees.

A gas-works was built ca 1859 in the south side of the demesne.

During the second half of the 19th century the house was only occasionally used by its owners, the 4th Marquess (1805-72); his half- brother, the 5th Marquess (1821-84); and Charles Stewart, 6th Marquess (1852-1915), the latter spending much of his time in London.

The parkland consequently remained relatively unchanged, with some minor alterations, such as the extension of the enclosing screen to encompass the whole perimeter in 1901.

The townland boundary was changed in 1906 to encompass the whole demesne.

In 1921 Charles, 7th Marquess, and his wife Edith moved to Mount Stewart, having inherited the property in 1915.

She had once remarked, on a visit prior to 1921, that the property was ‘the dampest, darkest and saddest place I had ever stayed in’.

As soon as she arrived there to live, Lady Londonderry undertook to transform the grounds around the house.

She took advice from expert plants-men and was fortunate to have been able to employ workmen from a post-war labour scheme. She used her resources skilfully.

The result is a lay-out that includes both formal and informal areas, each with their own style and atmosphere.

Compartments are arranged in close proximity to the house around three sides and are separated into differing formal gardens, such as the Italian Garden, the Spanish Garden, the Mairi Garden and the Dodo Terrace.

The latter is decorated with specially made statuary of creatures representing early 20th century British political figures, most of whom formed part of her ‘Ark Club’; these figures were made of moulded chicken wire and cement by Thomas Beattie of Newtownards.

Gertrude Jekyll planned some of the planting for the Sunken Garden.

The north-east front of the house has a rectangular balustraded carriage sweep but, further afield, paths wind past informally planted shrubs, specimen trees and woodland, carpeted with bulbs and drifts of naturalised plants.

These areas contain a great variety of outstanding plant material, particularly of Australasian origin.

Paths and a great deal of planting were focused round the large artificial lake, with the family burial ground, Tir-ña-nOg, built in the 1930s at the north end on high ground.

Like most other demesnes, Mount Stewart was requisitioned by the troops during the war and in the years that followed (until ca 1965) many of the original beech and oak demesne woods were sadly felled and replaced with unsightly conifers.

In 1949 the 7th Marquess died and left the property to his wife for her life-time and then to his youngest daughter, Lady Mairi Bury.

In 1955 the gardens were transferred to the care of the National Trust and two years later, in 1959, Edith, Lady Londonderry died.

The Temple of the Winds was acquired in 1963 and, in 1977, the house plus an endowment were accepted by the National Trust as a generous gift from Lady Mairi.

Tir-ña-nOg was acquired by the Trust from Lady Mairi in 1986.

The gardens are beautifully maintained by the National Trust.

During his many years as head gardener, Nigel Marshal, (retired 2002) continued successfully to build up the garden’s important plant collections. The walled garden is not currently on public display.

 20,222 acres in County Durham; Wynyard Hall, and elsewhere.

They also maintained a grand London residence in Park Lane, LONDONDERRY HOUSE.

Londonderry arms courtesy of European Heraldry.   First published in June, 2010.

1st Earl of Antrim

THE EARLS OF ANTRIM WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY ANTRIM, WITH 34,292 ACRES IN 1883.

JOHN DE INSULIS, of Dunniveg and the Glens, known as "John Mór," second son of John, Lord of the Isles, by the PRINCESS MARGARET STEWART, his wife, daughter of ROBERT II, King of Scotland, married Margery, daughter and heir of John Byset, Lord of the Glens, County Antrim, and had two sons,

DONALD (Sir), his successor;

Ranald Bane.

John Mór Tanister MacDonald was murdered before 1427 by one James Campbell.

His elder son,

SIR DONALD BALLOCH MacDONALD,

Was aged twenty at his father's death; on the breaking out of the rebellion of the Isles, 1431, he commanded the islanders, invaded Lochaber, obtained victory over the King's army under the Earls of Caithness and Mar, and ravaged the adjacent districts; he then withdrew to his mother's lands in Ulster.

In that Province he wedded firstly, Johanna, daughter of Conn O'Neill, of Edenduffcarrick, County Antrim, and had issue,

JOHN MÓR, his successor;

Margaret.

He espoused secondly, Joan, daughter of O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell, and had further issue, a daughter,

Agnes.

Sir Donald died in 1476, and was succeeded by his only son,

JOHN MacDONALD, also called John Mór, styled in 1472 "heir apparent to his father," who was in treaty with EDWARD IV.

He married Sabina, daughter of Phelim O'Neill, surnamed Baccach, or the Lame, by whom he had a son,

SIR JOHN MacDONALD, surnamed Cathanach, from being fostered by the O'Cathans in Ulster.

In 1493 he was at the head of the clan Iain Mhòr, when the Lordship of the Isles was finally forfeited.

He married Cecelia, daughter of Robert Savage, Lord of the Ardes, and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his heir;
John Mor, executed 1499;
John Og, executed 1499;
Donald Balloch, executed 1499;
Angus Ileach, fled to Ireland;
Agnes.

The eldest son,

ALEXANDER (c1480-1536), fled to Ireland with his surviving brother, Angus Ileach, after the execution of their father and brothers.

In 1517 he supported Sir Donald MacDonald, of Lochalsh, who was in rebellion against the government, and in 1529 he was again in rebellion, and ravaged the lands of the Campbells with fire and sword, but obtained a pardon for himself and his followers in 1531, and a grant of lands in the South Isles and Kintyre. 

The next year he was sent with 8,000 men to assist the Scots of Ulster, then at war with England.

He married Catherine, daughter of John MacDonald, of Ardnamurchan, and had, with three daughters (Alice married Sir Moyses Hill),

Donald, born blind;
James;
Angus;
Coll;
SORLEY BOY, of whom hereafter;
Alistair;
Donald;
Brian Carrach;
Ranold;
Maeve; Mary; Alice.

The fifth son,

SORLEY BOY MacDONNELL (c1505-90), was appointed by his eldest brother Lord of the Route, County Antrim, in 1558.

On his brother's death, Sorley Boy seized on the Ulster estates of his family, and after various conflicts with the native Irish and the English forces, he became a faithful subject of ELIZABETH I, and being of Scottish birth was made a free denizen of Ireland in 1573.

He wedded Mary, daughter of Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone, and had, with other issue,

Alaster, dsp;
RANDAL MacSORLEY, his heir;
James MacSorley (Sir), dsp;
Angus.

Sorley Boy died at Dunaneeny Castle, near Ballycastle, County Antrim, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR RANDAL MacSORLEY MacDONNELL KB, of Dunluce, County Antrim, having zealously promoted the English interest in Ireland in the reigns of ELIZABETH I and JAMES I, was created by the latter, in 1618, Viscount Dunluce.

His lordship was advanced to the dignity of an earldom, in 1620, as EARL OF ANTRIM.

He was also sworn of the Privy Council and appointed to the command of a regiment.

The 1st Earl married Alice, daughter of Hugh O'Neill, and sister of Hugh, the last Earl of Tyrone, and had issue,

RANDAL, his successor;
ALEXANDER, 3rd Earl;
Anne; Mary Rose; Catherine.

His lordship died in 1636, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

RANDAL, 2nd Earl (1609-82); who, for the many essential services he had rendered to the Crown, was advanced, in 1644, to the dignity of a marquessate, as MARQUESS OF ANTRIM.

His lordship wedded firstly, in 1635, the Lady Katherine Manners, heir of Francis, 6th Earl of Rutland, and widow of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

He espoused secondly, Rose, daughter of Sir Henry O'Neill, Knight, of Shane's Castle, County Antrim, but had no issue.

When his lordship died in 1683 the marquessate expired, but the other honours devolved upon his brother,

ALEXANDER, 3rd Earl (1615-99), who, actively espousing JAMES II in Ireland, in the war of the Revolution, was attainted of high treason; but, being subsequently included in the treaty of Limerick, his lands and honours were restored.

His lordship espoused firstly, the Lady Elizabeth Annesley (d 1669), second daughter of Arthur, 1st Earl of Anglesey, by whom he had no issue.

He married secondly, Helena, third daughter of Sir John Burke, Knight, of Derrymaclachtney, County Galway, and had issue,

RANDAL, his successor;
Mary.

The 3rd Earl was succeeded by his only son,

RANDAL, 4th Earl (1680-1721), who wedded Rachael, eldest daughter of Clotworthy, Viscount Massereene, and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his successor;
Helena.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

ALEXANDER, 5th Earl (1713-55), who, being in minority at his father's decease, was left under the guardianship of the Dowager Lady Massereene and Lord Massereene, who brought him up in the reformed religion (his predecessors had previously adhered to the church of Rome).

His lordship espoused firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Matthew Pennefather, Comptroller and Accountant-general of Ireland, but by her had no surviving issue.

He married secondly, in 1739, Anne, eldest daughter and heir of Charles Patrick Plunket MP, of Dillonstown, County Louth, and had issue,

RANDAL WILLIAM, his successor;
Rachel; Elizabeth Helena.

He wedded thirdly, Catherine, youngest daughter of Thomas Meredyth, of Newtown, County Meath, without issue.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

RANDAL WILLIAM, 6th Earl (1749-91), who espoused firstly, in 1774, Letitia, eldest daughter of Harvey, 1st Viscount Mountmorres, and widow of the Hon Arthur Trevor, only son of Arthur, Viscount Dungannon, by whom he had issue,

ANNE CATHERINE, his successor;
Letitia Mary;
CHARLOTTE, Countess of Antrim.

His lordship having no male issue, obtained a new patent in 1785, creating him Viscount Dunluce and EARL OF ANTRIM, with remainder to his daughters primogeniturely.

The 6th Earl was advanced to a marquessate, in 1789, as MARQUESS OF ANTRIM (second creation), but without any special reversionary grant.

When he died, all the honours ceased, except the patent of 1785, which devolved, according to the special limitation, upon his elder daughter,

THE LADY ANNE CATHERINE MacDONNELL,  as de jure COUNTESS OF ANTRIM (1775-1834), who married firstly, in 1799, Sir Henry Vane-Tempest Bt, of Wynyard, County Durham, by whom her ladyship had an only daughter, THE LADY FRANCES ANNE EMILY VANE, who inherited her father's great estates, and wedded Charles William, Marquess of Londonderry.

Her ladyship wedded secondly, in 1817, Edmund Phelps, who assumed the surname of MacDonnell.

She was succeeded by her sister,

THE LADY CHARLOTTE MacDONNELL (1779-1835), de jure COUNTESS OF ANTRIM; who espoused, in 1799, Vice-Admiral Lord Mark Robert Kerr, third son of William, 5th Marquess of Lothian, and had surviving issue,

HUGH SEYMOUR, her successor;
MARK, 10th Earl;
Arthur Schomberg;
Georgiana Emily Jane; Caroline Mary; Charlotte Elizabeth; Fanny.

Her ladyship was succeeded by her eldest son,

HUGH SEYMOUR, 9th Earl (1812-55), who espoused, in 1836, the Lady Laura Cecilia Parker, eldest daughter of Thomas, 5th Earl of Macclesfield, and had an only child, Helen Laura.

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

MARK, 10th Earl (1814-69), who married, in 1849, Jane Emma Hannah, daughter of Major Turner Macan, of County Armagh, and had issue,

WILLIAM RANDAL, his successor;
Mark Henry Horace;
Hugh Seymour;
Alexander;
Schomberg Kerr;
Caroline Elizabeth; Mabel Harriet; Evelyn; Jane Grey; Helena.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM RANDAL, 11th Earl (1851-1918), DL, who wedded, in 1875, the Lady Louisa Jane Grey, daughter of Lieutenant-General the Hon Charles Grey, and had issue,

RANDAL MARK KER, his successor;
Angus;

Sybil Mary.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

RANDAL MARK KER, 12th Earl (1878-1932), DL, who espoused, in 1904, Margaret Isabel, daughter of the Rt Hon John Gilbert Talbot, and had issue,

RANDAL JOHN SOMERLED, his successor;

James Angus Grey;

Rose Gwendolen Louisa; Jean Meriel.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RANDAL JOHN SOMERLED, 13th Earl (1911-77),  JP DL, who married, in 1934, Angela Christina, daughter of Sir Tatton Benvenuto Mark Sykes Bt, and had issue,

ALEXANDER RANDAL MARK, his successor;

Hector John;

Christina Alice.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

ALEXANDER MARK RANDAL, 14th Earl (1935-2021), who marred firstly, in 1963, Sara Elizabeth Anne, daughter of St John Bernard Vyvyan Harmsworth, and had issue,

RANDAL ALEXANDER ST JOHN, his successor;

Flora Mary; Alice Angela Jane.

The 14th Earl wedded secondly, in 1977, Elizabeth Hannah, daughter of Michael Moses Sacher, and had further issue,

Rachel Frances.

His lordship died in 2021, and was succeeded by his son,

RANDAL ALEXANDER ST JOHN, 15th Earl (1967-), DL, who married, in 2004, Aurora, daughter of David Gunn, and has issue,

ALEXANDER DAVID SOMERLED (b 2006), styled Viscount Dunluce;

Helena Maeve Aurora, b 2008.

Seat ~ Glenarm Castle, County Antrim.

Antrim arms courtesy of Glenarm Castle.

Talbot of Carton

The Castle and Lordship of Malahide, on the sea coast, near Dublin, was possessed by the family of Talbot from a period contemporary with the first introduction of English government into Ireland, and at this moment they furnish an instance unusually rare, of a baronial estate having continued for upwards of 650 years in the male heirs and name of him on whom it had been originally conferred by HENRY II.

It is remarkable, too, that of the ancient seigniorial estates in Ireland, whose lords were vested with the dignity of parliamentary barons, not one can be traced to have been held directly and immediately under the crown but the lordship of Malahide.

In this respect Malahide seems to have been unique in Ireland, and its lords, pursuant to the nature of their original tenure and the terms of their royal charters, never rendered homage, suit, or service to any but the crown; nor acknowledged any superior but the King alone.

Richard de Talbot, who is mentioned in the Domesday Book, was the common ancestor of the Lords of Malahide, and of the Earls of Shrewsbury; and in consequence of the well-known affinity of those two branches, the family in Ireland, by ancient entails and settlements, made the members of the house of Shrewsbury next heirs in remainder to their Irish estates.

SIR THOMAS TALBOT, Knight, of Malahide, County Dublin (representative of the ancient and eminent family of Talbot, of Malahide), had a grant, in 1529, of livery of all of his father's estates in several counties in Ireland.

Sir Thomas, in 1532, being sued in the Exchequer for not executing the office of High Sheriff of County Dublin, pleaded the patent granted to his grandfather by EDWARD IV, exonerating him and his heirs from such offices, and declared that he would not act as High Sheriff; whereupon the proceedings were discontinued.

By Catherine his wife he had three sons, of whom WILLIAM TALBOT succeeded at Malahide; and

ROBERT TALBOT was father of

WILLIAM TALBOT, Recorder of Dublin ca 1603, who acquired the estate of CARTON, County Kildare, and was created a baronet, in 1623, designated of Carton, County Kildare.

Sir William married Alison, daughter of John Netterville, of Castleton, County Meath, and had issue, sixteen children, including

ROBERT, his successor;

Peter (Most Rev), RC Archbishop of Dublin;

Richard, created Earl of Tyrconnell;

Margaret; Frances; Eleanor; Mary.

The first house on record at Carton was during the 17th century, when Sir William Talbot, Recorder of Dublin ca 1603, was given a lease of the lands by the 14th Earl of Kildare, and is thought to have built a house. The house and lands were forfeited to the crown in 1691; and sold, in 1703, to Lieutenant-General Richard Ingoldsby, Master-General of the Ordnance.

Sir William died in 1634, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ROBERT TALBOT, 2nd Baronet (c1610-70), of Carton, who wedded Grace, daughter of GEORGE, 1ST BARON BALTIMORE, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

Frances; Mary.

Sir Robert was succeeded by his only son,

SIR WILLIAM TALBOT, 3rd Baronet (c1643-91), who espoused, in 1683, the Lady Anne Nugent, daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl of Westmeath; the marriage was, however, without issue.

Following the demise of his royal master, JAMES II, Sir William was attainted, his lands and titles forfeited.

First published in June, 2022.  Talbot arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Benburb

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

BENBURB, a small village, in the parish of Clonfeacle, barony of Dungannon, County Tyrone.

The first notice of this place under its present name occurs during the rebellion of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, when the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Thomas Burgh (c1558-97), crossed the River Blackwater at Beann Borb, at the head of the English forces, in June, 1597; and being seized with a sickness of which he died a few days later at Newry, was succeeded in the command of the army by Henry FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare, between whom and the Earl of Tyrone a severe engagement took place, in which the English were defeated, the Earl of Kildare mortally wounded, and his two foster brothers slain.

Many of the English were killed in battle, and numbers perished in the river.

Sir Henry Bagenal, with 4,500 foot and 400 horse, marched against the Earl of Tyrone's army, with which he had a severe conflict; many of the English cavalry were dreadfully mangled by falling into pits dug by the enemy and covered with branches of trees; but after surmounting these and other obstacles, Bagenal made a vigorous attack upon the right wing of the Irish army commanded by the Earl himself, and on the left under O'Donnell of Tyrconnell.

A dreadful carnage ensued [Battle of the Yellow Ford], the two armies being wholly engaged; but just when victory seemed to incline towards the English forces, Bagenal was shot by a musket ball in the forehead and fell dead on the field.

The English, thrown into confusion by the loss of their leader, were defeated, and in their retreat to Armagh, many were trodden down by the Irish cavalry.

This triumph of the Earl of Tyrone was but of short duration; the Lord Deputy, Mountjoy, defeated him in several battles, and had driven him back to the camp at Beann Borb, where, on the 15th July, 1601, a battle was fought, in which Tyrone was totally defeated and his army compelled to retreat in confusion to his chief fortress at Dungannon.

Benburb Castle, by J H Burgess (c1810-90), (Armagh County Museum)

ON the plantation of Ulster, Sir Robert Wingfield received from JAMES I a grant of 1,000 acres of land at Benburb; and previously to the year 1619 he had erected a castle on these lands, built the present church, and founded the village, which at that time contained 20 houses.

This new establishment continued to flourish till the breaking out of the war in 1641, when the castle was surprised by Sir Phelim O'Neill on the night of the 22nd October, and the whole of the inmates put to death.

On the 5th June, 1646, this place became the scene of a battle [Battle of Benburb] between O'Neill and General Monro; the former, with a large body of men, took up a position between two hills, with a wood in his rear and the river Blackwater, at that time difficult to pass, on his right.

Monro, with 6,000 foot and 800 horse, marched from Armagh and approached by the opposite bank of the river, where, finding a ford, now called Battleford Bridge, he crossed and advanced to meet O'Neill.

Both armies were drawn up in order of battle, but instead of coming to a general engagement, the day was spent in skirmishing, till the sun, which had been favourable to the English, was declining, when, just as Monro was beginning to retreat, he was attacked by the Irish, who made a furious onset.

An English regiment commanded by Lord Blayney, fought with undaunted resolution till they were cut to pieces and their leader slain; the Scottish horse next gave way, and the infantry being thrown into disorder, a general rout ensued.

More than 3,000 of the British forces were slain, and their artillery and stores taken, while, on the part of O'Neill, not more than 70 were killed.

The castle was soon after dismantled, and has ever since remained in ruins; it was the largest in the county, and, though weakly built, occupies a remarkably strong position on the summit of a limestone rock rising perpendicularly from the river Blackwater to the height of 120 feet.

IN the village is a small ancient outpost strongly built and probably forming an entrance to the castle, which on every other side was defended by natural barriers.

Near the village are Tullydowey, the seat of T Eyre Jackson; and Castle Cottage, of Captain Cranfield.

There were formerly extensive bleach greens near the village, and the mills and engines are still remaining; but the principal part of the business is carried out at Tullydowey, where large quantities of linen are finished for the English markets; the weaving of linen is also carried on to some extent.

The Ulster Canal passes on the eastern side of the river and village, and is here carried through a hill of limestone, which has been excavated to the depth of 80 feet, and is conducted longitudinally over the mill-race by an aqueduct of considerable length.

A court is held on the first Friday of every month for the manor of Benburb, which extends over 47 townlands and comprises 9,210 acres.

The parish church is situated close to the village, in which is also a place of worship for Presbyterians.

The ruins of the castle are extensive and highly picturesque; and near the walls was found a signet ring bearing the arms and initials of Turlough O'Neill.

The O'Neills had a stronghold here of greater antiquity than the castle erected by Sir Robert Wingfield.

The O’Neill Baronetcy (1666)

At Killelagh, County Antrim, close to Lough Neagh, there are said to be remains of a castellated building, formerly the seat of a branch of the powerful family of O'Neill. Little is known of its scanty remains, though apparently a part of the walls of its courts and gardens still stand.

Ulster remained firmly in the control of the Clanaboy O'Neills until 1608. The family fought on both sides of the civil wars that racked Ireland from 1642-93. The end result was a significant loss of territory and influence due to political alliances and an influx of new families flowing in from Scotland and England.

SIR HENRY O'NEILL (c1625-80), of Edenduffcarrick (Shane's Castle), son of HUGH McPHELIM BACCACH O'NEILL, married, ca 1655, Eleanor, daughter of Sir William Talbot Bt, and had issue,

NEIL, his heir;
DANIEL, succeeded his brother;
Rose.

During the trouble of 1641, Sir Henry's estate was forfeited.

It was, however, restored in 1665, and he conformed to the Established Church.

He was created a baronet in 1666, designated of Killelagh, County Antrim.

Sir Henry's son and heir,

SIR NEIL O'NEILL, 2nd Baronet (c1658-90), of Shane's Castle, wedded, in 1677, Frances, daughter of Caryll, 3rd Viscount Molyneux, and had issue, four or five daughters.

Sir Neil boyhood was spent on the shores of Lough Neagh, in and around the townland of Ballyginniff, where an old ruin, beside the Milltown, still marks the spot of his ancestral castle.

In 1678, he inherited the family honours and estates.

In 1688, Sir Neil was in Dublin "concerting measures" with his uncle Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell; and, in the same year, he was appointed a burgess of Belfast.

In 1689, he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim; about which time he raised a regiment of dragoons, numbered the 11th, in the service of JAMES II.

He served with his regiment at the siege of Londonderry.

At the battle of the Boyne, Sir Neil, at the head of his regiment, defended "with great gallantry" the passage over that river at Slane.

On this occasion, Sir Neil was severely wounded in the thigh and he died soon afterwards at Waterford, having followed the king to that city.

He was interred at the Franciscan Priory in Waterford, having died in July, 1690, aged 32.

Sir Neil O'Neill (Image: The Tate Gallery)

Sir Neil left his family unprovided for.

However, in 1703, his estates at Killelagh and Kilmakevit - including 19 townlands - were sold at Chichester House in Dublin.

He left no male heir but was succeeded in the title by his only brother,

SIR DANIEL O'NEILL, 3rd Baronet, who wedded, ca 1690, Mary, daughter of Sir Gregory Byrne Bt, and had issue, an only child, Eleanor, who married Hugh O'Reilly.

The title and estates were forfeited by a posthumous act of attainder in 1691.

On petitioning the government, Sir Neil's widow was granted a 41-year lease on the Killelagh estate in 1700, which she sold the following year.

Lady O'Neill died in 1732.

First published in March, 2011.

Stewart of Ramelton

THE STEWART BARONETS OWNED 7,547 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

The Stewarts of Ramelton are said to descend from the Earls of Galloway and the Lords Blantyre. They were the first of the Stewarts to be raised to the Baronetage, in 1623; and from them sprang the Viscounts Mountjoy and the Earl of Blessington.

GENERAL THE RT HON SIR WILLIAM STEWART, 1st Baronet, of Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, and Ramelton, County Donegal, went over to Ulster in 1608 as Captain Commanding a company of Scottish troops sent to serve in the Province.

He is stated by William Douglas of Glenbervie in his Historical and Genealogical Tree of the Royal Family of Scotland and name of Stewart (1750) to have been a son [or grandson] of Archibald Stewart, 3rd Laird of Fintalloch who died ca 1596, and whose family descended from Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Garlies, the ancestor of the Earl of Galloway.

He was in great favour with JAMES VI and I, and became an undertaker for the plantation of escheated lands in the province of Ulster, 1610.

He was Knighted in 1619, and created a Baronet in 1623, designated of Ramelton, County Donegal.

In the rebellion of 1641 Sir William and Sir Robert Stewart, Governor of Derry, routed Sir Phelim O'Neill near Strabane, and in other places.

Sir William received large grants of land from the Crown in counties Donegal and Tyrone.

He was a Privy Counsellor in the reigns of JAMES I and CHARLES I, and having served as a military officer in the troubles of Ireland, received in satisfaction for arrears of pay due to June, 1649, one debenture of £4,329 (equivalent to £636,500 in 2024); while his son, Sir Alexander Stewart, was allotted for his services a debenture for £2,599.

Sir William married Frances, second daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 1st Baronet, of Mosstown, County Longford (by Catherine his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas Molyneux), and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his successor;

Thomas, of Fort Stewart, Co Donegal; ancestor of ANNESLEY, 6th Baronet;

Catherine, m 1631 Sir J Montgomery, of Rosemount; son of 1st Viscount Montgomery.

Sir William died in 1647, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ALEXANDER STEWART, 2nd Baronet, a distinguished military commander, who wedded, ca 1648, his first cousin, Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 4th Baronet.

Sir Alexander was a Covenanter heading the Logan forces, and fell at the battle of Dunbar, 1650, on The King's side, having by his wife had an only son,

SIR WILLIAM STEWART, 3rd Baronet (1653-92), who was advanced to the dignities of Baron Stewart of Ramelton, County Donegal, and Viscount Mountjoy, County Tyrone, in 1683, being constituted at the same time Master-General of the Ordnance for life, and Colonel of a regiment of foot.

He served in Hungary at the siege of Buda (1686), and upon his return to Ireland was raised to the rank of Brigadier-General with the pay of £497 10s a year.

His lordship undertaking, with the Lord Chief Baron, Sir Stephen Rice, 1688, a mission from Lord Deputy Tyrconnell to JAMES II, then at Paris, was, immediately upon his arrival in that city, thrown into the Bastille, and there confined until 1692, when, being released,  he waited upon WILLIAM III in Flanders, and lost his life, in 1692, in the battle of Steenkerque (or Steinkirk).

Sir William espoused Mary, eldest daughter of 1st Baron Coote of Coloony, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

Alexander, ancestor of 1st Earl of Blessington of 2nd creation;

Charles;

Mary; Catherine.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM, 2nd Viscount and 4th Baronet, Lieutenant-General in the Army, and Master-General of the Ordnance, who married, in 1696, Anne, younger daughter and eventually heiress of Murrough, 1st Viscount Blessington.

This lady brought into the Stewart family the Boyle estates in counties Wicklow and Kildare, and the Manor of Silchester, in Hampshire.

By her Lord Mountjoy had issue, with five sons and four daughters (died young),

WILLIAM, his successor;

Mary, m 2nd Baron Tyrawley.

His lordship died in 1728, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM, 3rd Viscount and 5th Baronet (1709-69), who was created, in 1745, EARL OF BLESSINGTON (first creation).

His lordship wedded, in 1733, Eleanor, daughter and heiress of Robert FitzGerald, of Castle Dodd (Castle Harrison), County Cork, and had issue,

1. William, styled Viscount Mountjoy (1734-54), dvp;

2. Lionel Robert, died young.

His lordship dsps 1769, when the Peerages expired, but the Baronetcy devolved upon his heir-at-law, 

ANNESLEY STEWART (1725-1801), of Fort Stewart, 6th Baronet, MP for Charlemont, 1763-97, who espoused, in 1755, Mary, daughter of John Moore, of Drumbanagher, County Armagh, by whom he had (with a daughter) two sons,

JAMES, his successor;

William Henry.

Sir Annesley was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JAMES STEWART, 7th Baronet (1756-1827), MP for Enniskillen, 1783-90, and for County Donegal, 1802-18, who married, in 1778, Mary Susanna, daughter of Richard Chapell Whaley, of Whaley Abbey, County Wicklow, and had issue,

JAMES ANNESLEY, his successor;

William Henry;

Anne; Elizabeth Susanna; Sophia Frances.

Sir James was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JAMES ANNESLEY STEWART, 8th Baronet (1798-1879), Vice-Lieutenant of County Donegal, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1830; Colonel, Donegal Artillery; served for some time in the Inniskilling Dragoons.

He wedded, in 1830, Jane (dsp 1886), daughter of Frances Mansfield, of Castle Wray, County Donegal.

Sir James dsp 1879, and was succeeded by his kinsman,

AUGUSTUS ABRAHAM JAMES STEWART, as 9th Baronet (1832-89), JP DL, great-great-grandson of 1st Baronet, a barrister, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his nephew, 

Armorial bearings of the 9th Baronet

SIR WILLIAM AUGUSTUS ANNESLEY STEWART, 10th Baronet (1865-94), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR HARRY JOCELYN URQUHART STEWART, 11th Baronet (1871-1945), DL, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1905, Major, Donegal Artillery, who married, in 1896, Isabel Mary (Dromore House, Letterkenny, County Donegal), daughter of Colonel Frances Stewart Mansfield DL, of Castle Wray, County Donegal, and had issue,

William Frances (1901-44), killed in action in Normandy;

JOCELYN HARRY, his successor;

Walter Annesley;

Malcolm Geoffrey;

Alan Robert;

Isabel; Kathleen Mary; Hester Anna Lilian; Violet May; Evelyn Frances.

Sir Harry was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR JOCELYN HARRY STEWART, 12th Baronet (1903-82), of Fort Stewart, Ramelton, County Donegal, who wedded firstly, in 1932, Constance Mary, daughter of D'Arcy Shillaber, of New South Wales, Australia, and had issue,

ALAN D'ARCY, his successor.

He married secondly, in 1946, Katherine Christina, daughter of James Sweeney, of Tamney, County Donegal, and by her had further issue,

Brian Jocelyn;

Terence Annesley;

Marie Jeanette; Katherine Benedicta.

Sir Jocelyn Harry Stewart was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ALAN D'ARCY STEWART, 13th Baronet (1932-2024), of One Acre House, Church Street, Ramelton, County Donegal, who married, in 1952, Patricia, daughter of Lawrence Turner, of Ramelton, County Donegal, and had issue,

NICHOLAS COURTNEY D'ARCY, his successor;

Lindsay Stephen, born 1956;

Constance Patricia; Siobhan D'Arcy.

Sir Alan was succeeded by his eldest son,

NICHOLAS COURTNEY D'ARCY STEWART, who would be 14th Baronet (1953-).

Entrance front, Fort Stewart House (Image: UAHS, 2020)

FORT STEWART, near Killydonnell, County Donegal, is a Georgian mansion built between 1730-60 to replace an earlier dwelling to the north-east.

This is a three-storey house, double gable-ended, with a seven-bay entrance front.

There are single-storey, irregular, two-bay wings.

Garden front, Fort Stewart House (Image: UAHS, 2020)

A pilastered porch was added about 1823.

Entrance porch (Image: Buildings of Ireland)

The entrance hall is adorned by four Tuscan columns, with rib-vaulting rising from them.

Outbuildings attached to Fort Stewart (Image: UAHS, 2020)

Fort Stewart House succeeded a fortified plantation dwelling, likely a bawn, erected by Sir William Stewart about 1619.

Town Address of 9th Baronet ~ 5, King's Bench Walk, Temple, London.