Adam of Blair Adam

THE ADAMS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN KINROSS-SHIRE, WITH 2,896 ACRES

The surname of ADAM is of great antiquity in Scotland, as proved by many documents in the public record.

HENRY ADAM, a military man, living in the reign of WILLIAM THE LION, King of Scotland, was father of

ALEXANDER ADAM, Laird of Roscobie, near Forfar, in the reign of ALEXANDER III of Scotland, who was father of

DUNCAN ADAM, living in the reign of ROBERT THE BRUCE, who had four sons, the youngest of whom,

DUNCAN ADAM, accompanied James, Lord Douglas, in his expedition to Spain en route to the Holy Land, with the heart of King Robert of Scotland; from whom is stated to have descended,

JOHN ADAM, who accompanied JAMES IV of Scotland to Flodden Field, and there lost his life, 1513.

His son,

CHARLES ADAM, seated at Fanno, Forfarshire, ca 1549, married Margaret Ferguson, by whom he had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
David, progenitor of Adams of Kingsbarns, Fife;
two daughters.

The elder son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Fanno, wedded Isabel Bisset, by whom he had several sons and daughters.

The second, but eldest surviving son,

ROBERT ADAM, about the end of the reign of Queen MARY, married Isabel, daughter of James Hunter, and was father of

DAVID ADAM, of Fanno, who wedded his cousin, Jean Hunter, by whom he had a son and successor, 

ARCHIBALD ADAM, of Fanno, who sold his patrimonial lands in the time of CHARLES I, and acquired those of Queensmanour in the same county.

He married Mary, daughter of John Hay, of Montrose, and died in the reign of CHARLES II, leaving issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
JOHN, successor to his nephew, of whom hereafter;
Alexander; Patrick; Phyllis; Mary.

The eldest son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Queensmanour, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Wishart, of Logie, Forfarshire; and had a son and successor,

JAMES ADAM, of Queenmanour, who sold the paternal estate.

He died unmarried and was succeeded in the representation of the family by his uncle,

JOHN ADAM, who married Helen, daughter of William, 3rd Lord Cranstoun, by whom he left a surviving son,

WILLIAM ADAM (1689-1748), an eminent architect who purchased several estates, particularly that of Blair, in the county of Kinross, where he built a house and village, which he named Maryburgh.

Mr Adam married Mary, daughter of William Robertson, of Gladney, and had, with other issue,

JOHN, of whom we treat;
Robert, architect to GEORGE III; MP for Kinross-shire, 1768;
James;
William;
Janet; Helen;
Mary, m Dr John Drysdale, Dean of the Chapel Royal;
Susanna, m John Clerk;
Margaret.

Mr Adam was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1721-92), of Maryburgh, who wedded, in 1750, Jean, daughter of John Ramsay; by whom he had, with other issue, a son and successor, 

THE RT HON WILLIAM ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1751-1839), Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Court in Scotland, Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, Baron of the Scottish Exchequer, MP, who wedded Eleanor, daughter of Charles, 10th Lord Elphinstone.

His second son,

ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM KCB (1780-1853), a distinguished naval officer, married was succeeded by his son and heir,

THE RT HON WILLIAM PATRICK ADAM CIE DL (1823-81), colonial administrator, politician, Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire; whose eldest son,

CHARLES ELPHINSTONE ADAM (1859-1922), Barrister, military officer, was created a baronet in 1882, denominated of Blair Adam, Kinross-shire.

Sir Charles died childless in 1922, when the baronetcy became extinct.

His estate devolved upon his nephew,

CAPTAIN CHARLES KEITH ADAM DSO RN (1891-1971), Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, 1955-66.

Captain Adam was raised in Australia but returned to Scotland to manage the estate.

His son, Keith Robert Adam (b 1944), is the present owner.

The estate comprises 200 acres today.

BLAIR ADAM HOUSE, is located near Kelty, in Fife.

William Adam purchased the Blair Crambeth (subsequently Blair Adam) estate in 1731 and shortly afterwards built the modest five-bay two-storey house which forms the centre of the present building.

By 1736, Adam had enlarged the house by the addition of harled single-storey wings, originally of three bays, which continued the line of the original block.

Both were extended by John Adam in 1775, the south wing being heightened and given a bowed end.

The north wing was made an L-shape by the construction of a block across its end which stretches back to the west and joins it to the office range.

This range, originally very plain, was remodelled in 1815-16 and a low rubble-walled tower was built behind it.

First published in December, 2013.

Marble Hill House

THE BURKE BARONETS, OF MARBLE HILL, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY GALWAY, WITH 25,258 ACRES

This branch of the Burkes claims to be a scion from the house of CLANRICARDE; but more immediately connected with the Barons Bourke of Brittas. THOMAS BURKE, of Gortenacuppogue (now Marble Hill), died at an advanced age in 1714.

During the civil wars, in the time of CHARLES I, and subsequently in the revolution of 1688, his predecessors and himself lost a considerable portion of their lands; but he still preserved the estate upon which he resided, and it became the seat of the Burke baronets. He married into the family of TULLY, great landed proprietors in County Galway, and owners of the Garbally estate, in the possession of the Earl of Clancarty.

The son of this Thomas,

JOHN BURKE (c1713-93), wedded Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Michael Carroll, of Killoran, who was nearly allied to the Donelans, County Galway, and to the Carrolls of King's County.

By this lady the family acquired the Killoran estate.

Mr Burke was succeeded by his son,

THOMAS BURKE (1774-1813), of Marble Hill, who raised a Regiment of Foot at his own expense during the Napoleonic Wars.

He was created a baronet in 1797, designated of Marble Hill, County Galway.

He espoused Christian, daughter of James Browne, of the city of Limerick, of the Browne family of Camus, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
James, d 1812;
Maria; Julia; Elizabeth; Anne; Eleanor.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JOHN BURKE, 2nd Baronet (1782-1847), of Marble Hill, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Galway, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1838, MP for County Galway, 1830-32, Colonel, 98th Regiment, who married Elizabeth Mary, eldest daughter of the Rt Hon John Calcraft MP, and had issue,

THOMAS JOHN, his heir;
Charles Granby;
James Henry;
Edward Howe;
Maurice William Otway;
Henry Ulick;
Elizabeth Anne; Caroline Jane.

Sir John Burke, 2nd Baronet  (The Burkes of Marble Hill by T U Sadleir)

Sir John was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR THOMAS JOHN BURKE, 3rd Baronet (1813-75), DL, of Marble Hill, MP for County Galway, 1847-59, Captain, 1st Royal Dragoons, who wedded the Lady Mary Nugent, daughter of Anthony, 9th Earl of Westmeath, and had issue,

JOHN CHARLES, 4th Baronet;
HENRY GEORGE, 5th Baronet;
THOMAS MALACHY, 6th Baronet;
William Anthony;
Julia Catherine Anne; Mary Clare Theresa.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN CHARLES BURKE, 4th Baronet (1858-90), who died unmarried, and the title devolved upon his next brother,

SIR HENRY GEORGE BURKE, 5th Baronet (1859-1910), JP DL, High Sheriff of County Galway, 1883, who died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon his brother,

SIR THOMAS MALACHY BURKE, 6th Baronet (1864-1913), JP, who married, in 1893, Catherine Mary Caroline, daughter of Major-General James Henry Burke, and had issue, an only child,

SIR GERALD HOWE BURKE, 7th Baronet (1893-1954), DL, Captain, Irish Guards, who wedded firstly, in 1914, Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Patrick Mathews, and had issue,

THOMAS STANLEY, his successor.

He espoused secondly, in 1920, Merrial Alison, daughter of Edward Christie, and had issue,

Bridget Alison;
Elizabeth Anne.

Sir Gerald was succeeded by his only son,

SIR THOMAS STANLEY BURKE, 8th Baronet (1916-89), who married, in 1955, Suzanne Margaretha, daughter of Otto Theodore Salvisberg, of Thun, Switzerland, and had issue,

JAMES STANLEY GILBERT, his successor;
Caroline Elizabeth.

Sir Thomas was succeeded by his son,

SIR JAMES STANLEY GILBERT BURKE (1956-), of Oberrieden, Switzerland, who wedded, in 1980, Laura, daughter of Domingo Branzuela, and has issue.

Marble Hill (Photo credit: Dr Patrick Melvin & Eamonn de Burca)

MARBLE HILL HOUSE, near Loughrea, County Galway, was built ca 1775 for John Burke, and enlarged after 1813 by Sir John Burke, 2nd Baronet.

It was an exceptional country house prior to its malicious destruction by fire in 1921.

Architectural quality and refinement are apparent in the design and detailing.

The masonry was executed by skilled craftsmen, as is apparent in the detailing of the door-case.

It forms part of a group of demesne-related structures that includes the gate lodge, outbuildings, walled garden and ice-house.

The house is now an ivy-covered, roofless ruin.

It comprised three storeys over a raised basement, with a canted entrance bay to the front (east) elevation, and two-storey return to rear.

Four-bay side elevations, with bowed bay to north side elevation, and with rear two bays of south projecting; moulded cornice; rubble limestone walls, with evidence of weather-slating to the west gable wall.

Square-headed window openings with stone sills and red brick surrounds; square-headed entrance doorway within pedimented carved limestone door-case, having channelled pilasters with plinths and moulded capitals.

Wrought-iron railings to entrance avenue.

The well designed range of outbuildings originally served the adjacent Marble Hill House.

The high-quality stonework suggests that it was a significant part of the former demesne and was possibly by the same architect responsible for the house.

Some original sash windows and gates survive.

Marble Hill estate once incorporated a weigh station, forge and smokehouse that are no longer standing.

The ruin of the original house is an ivy-covered shell beside the remains of a courtyard which included a pigeon loft, carriage house, abattoir and worker accommodation.

Marble Hill House (Image: The Marblehill Magazine) 

The mansion house was equipped with running water and flushing toilets, which was the state of the art at the time.

The house also had a central heating system based on technology developed in Roman times, still visible today.

When the estate was in full operation, it had a full complement of blacksmiths, carpenters, painters, gardeners, an engineer, and a catholic priest who said mass in a specially-built private chapel in the house every morning.

Several generations of Burkes were raised at Marble Hill until the family departed in 1922 for their house in London due to the political climate in Ireland.

Several of the Burke gentry throughout the generations served at Westminster and government bodies up to the late 1800s, Ted Burke being the last to serve in political office.

At this point they concentrated solely on the land.

The downfall of the Burke family began at this point as the only source of income for the once wealthy family was now rates paid by tenants.

By the early 1900s the estate was in decline and in severe financial difficulties. Burnt down in 1922 by the local IRA, the house burned for 4 days and 4 nights. The only thing that remained was a complete window which had been bricked up in the blue room.

The blue room was a child’s nursery. After the tragic death of a young infant, the window was sealed as the residents believed the house to be haunted. It was locked and never opened until the house burned down.

Like most landowners, the Burkes were known to sympathise with HM Government, and Thomas Burke helped raise a military regiment, the Connaught Rangers, in 1793 to support Great Britain in its war with France.

Although the Burkes had already left for England, the house was burned during the time known as “The Troubles”.

Over the following years the estate was divided among tenants and families.

The original farmyard and store buildings were given to the estate’s herd (an unofficial vet who cured animal illnesses with natural remedies).

Some of the buildings in the courtyard were knocked and the stone sold by the land commission.

The main house itself was completely destroyed, but the servant’s quarters and gardens were intact, including a glasshouse that was operational until the 1970s.

The Rafferty family resided here until the 1990s. Kate Rafferty, the Burkes' former housekeeper, purchased the remaining estate, operating it as a guest-house for many years.

After her death, the house passed to her son and fell into disrepair.

With no heirs, the ruin was eventually sold to a developer, whose plans have been halted by the current recession in 2012.

First published in August, 2012.

The Marquessate

A MARQUESS, Marchio, ranks next above an earl and is the second degree of the nobility.

"His office (said Sir William Blackstone) formerly was (for dignity and duty were never separated by our ancestors) to guard the frontiers and limits of the Kingdom, which were called the marches, from the Teutonic word marche, a limit; as in particular were the marches of Wales and Scotland, while each continued to be an enemy's country."

"The persons who had commanded there were called Lords Marches, or Marquesses, whose authority had abolished by statute, in the reign of HENRY VIII, though the title had long before been made a mere ensign of honour."

The first English marquessate was conferred by RICHARD II, in 1386, upon Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford, KG, who was created Marquess of Dublin, and in the next year, Duke of Ireland.

His Grace was, however, banished and attainted in 1388, when his honours became forfeited.

And the second creation of the same dignity occured in the same reign, when John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset, KG, was created, in 1397, Marquess of Dorset.

From that period the dignity of Marquess appears to have remained dormant until the reign of EDWARD VI, but thenceforward it became a regular and common grade of nobility.

A marquessate is invariably created by letters patent, and the descent regulated accordingly.

The style of a marquess is "Most Honourable" and he is officially addressed by the Crown, "Our Right Trusty and entirely beloved Cousin."

The last marquessate to be conferred was in 1926, when Rufus Daniel Isaacs, Viceroy of India, was created Marquess of Reading.


THE ROBES of a marquess at a coronation are of crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta, having four guards of ermine on the right side and three on the left, placed at equal distances, each guards surmounted with gold lace; the robe is tied up to the left shoulder by a white ribbon.

His lordship's cap is of crimson velvet, lined with ermine, having a gold tassel at top; and his coronet is of gold, and is encompassed by pearls and golden strawberry leaves intermingled.

First published in December, 2013.

Milverton Hall

THE WOODS' WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DUBLIN, WITH 4,141 ACRES.

JOHN WOODS (1628-1710), of Yorkshire ancestry, went to Ireland on military service at the time of the Revolution.

He married Isabella Bruce, a lady of Scottish origin, and was father of

THOMAS WOODS, of Kilmeage, County Kildare, who wedded Margaret O'Hara; and dying in 1745, left a daughter, Araminta, and a son,

GEORGE WOODS, of Dunshaughlin, County Meath, and of the city of Dublin, who espoused, in 1737, Mary, daughter and co-heiress of John Hogan, of County Dublin (by Isabella his wife, daughter of Cornelius Hamlin), and by her had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Thomas;
George, RN;
Catherine; Maria Isabella; Hester; Elizabeth; Harriet.

Mr George Woods died in 1781, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN WOODS (1738-1826), of Winter Lodge, County Dublin, who wedded, in 1783, Hannah, eldest surviving daughter and co-heiress of Joshua Warren, of Galtrim, County Meath, and had issue,

GEORGE, his heir;
Maria; Hannah.

Mr Woods was succeeded by his only son,

GEORGE WOODS JP (1786-1876), of Milverton Hall, County Dublin, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1822, who married, in 1812, Sarah, eldest daughter of Hans Hamilton, of Abbotstown, County Dublin ( MP for that county for thirty years), and had issue,

John (1813-19);
HANS HAMILTON, of whom hereafter;
George (1816-36);
Sarah Jane, m to G A Rochfort-Boyd, of Middleton Park;
Hannah Maria; Frances Sophia; Jane Law.

Mr Woods was succeeded by his only surviving son,

HANS HAMILTON WOODS JP DL (1814-79), of Whitestown House, and Milverton Hall, County Dublin, High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1854, who wedded, in 1840, Louisa Catherine, third daughter of the Hon and Rev Edward Taylor, of Ardgillan Castle, County Dublin, by his wife Marianne, eldest daughter of the Hon Richard St Leger, son of 1st Viscount Doneraile, and had issue,

George John (1842-85);
EDWARD HAMILTON, of whom hereafter;
Warren St Leger;
Hans Charles Maunsell;
Richard Taylor;
Marianne Sarah; Louisa Harriet.

Mr Woods was succeeded by his second son,

EDWARD HAMILTON WOODS JP DL (1847-1910), High Sheriff of County Dublin, 1883, Lieutenant, Royal Meath Militia, who espoused, in 1879, Katherine Margaret, fourth daughter of Captain Richard Everard, of Randlestown, County Meath, by his wife, Mathilde Arabella, daughter of Le Marquis d'Amboise, and had issue,

EDWARD GEORGE, his heir;
Arthur Hans Hamilton (1881-2);
Reginald Everard (1883-96);
Charles John;
Kathleen May Ethel; Violet Amy; Eileen Sylvia.

Mr Woods was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDWARD GEORGE WOODS (1880-1954), of Milverton Hall, Captain, 8th Hussars, who served in the South African War, 1900-02.

MILVERTON HALL, Skerries, County Dublin, was a 19th century house in the Italianate-French Château style, of two storeys over a basement and with a dormer attic in the mansard roof.

The entrance front had three centre bays recessed between one-bay projections; a deep, single-storey, balustraded Doric portico; five-bay side elevation.

Edward George Woods brought forward plans to rebuild the Hall and decided to knock the old house and build a new one on the site.

The new Italianate Milverton Hall was built in two years, to the designs of the architect, Rawson Carroll, and cost over £16,000.

Image: Joe Curtis/ Jim Bennett, Cricket Europe

A very impressive house was built and the Woods family continued to live there until the 1950s.

The Wentges family then came to Milverton through marriage, and they have managed the estate for the past 40 years.

The Wentges built a modern dwelling in the 1960s.

When Edward Woods died, death duties ensued with a tax bill.

Robert and Rosemary Wentges were faced with difficult times and decisions; and, in the interests of saving the estate, they knocked down the old house in 1961, building the present home on the same site.

From then on the family, including Michael Wentges, have expended considerable effort in maintaining the demesne, planting twelve acres of woodland and forming a new lake for a wildlife habitat.

The planting began in 1961 and has carried on in such idyllic locations as Shady lane Wood, Foxes Hole Wood, Sophie’s Wood, Grange, Rosemary’s Wood, Balcunnin, Hill of Ardla and Hannah’s Wood.

The present family attachment at Milverton spans three centuries, a quite remarkable feat when one considers the likes of the estates at Ardgillan and Newbridge House, as well as Malahide, which have long since been taken over by local councils.

The very nature of the people behind Milverton, however, suggests that their love of the place will never die and their hold on it will always remain in some form.

This estate has been maintained and managed very well by all the owners.

Over the years thousands of trees have been planted.

There are three small lakes on the land, wetlands, wildlife habitats and an equestrian centre.

Part of the farm at Ardla has been given over to the local council and a new graveyard developed there to supplement the ancient Holmpatrick cemetery.

The present demesne comprises some 437 acres, and there has been a planning proposal to develop two golf courses, a golf club house, tennis academy, putting and practice ranges, a hotel comprising 250 bedroom and suites; and 50 houses.

As of today, Milverton demesne retains many of the features of an old demesne landscape: gate lodges at entry points, mature trees as shelter belts, woodland belts within the demesne to act as cover and shelter, a historic core containing ornamental tree species which suggests the remains of ornamental gardens.

In addition, the site included the remains of an early church site and graveyard, which are listed as a recorded monument.

Together with the adjoining Ardgillan Demesne, Milverton and its woodland forms a substantial block of mature trees when viewed from Skerries and the coast.

First published in August, 2012.

The Viscountcy

THE VISCOUNTCY is the fourth grade in the peerage, which title formerly applied to the sheriff of a county, but was not used as a designation of nobility before the reign of HENRY VI, when that monarch created John, Baron Beaumont, KG, by letters patent, in 1440, Viscount Beaumont, a dignity which expired with his lordship's son and successor in 1507.

A viscountcy is always created by patent, and it descends according to the specified limitation.

The honour was originally conferred as an advancement to barons, but afterwards created frequently with the barony; and latterly it has been created without a barony.

The style of a viscount is Right Honourable, and he is officially addressed by the Crown, "Our right trusty and well beloved Cousin."

The last non-royal viscountcies to be created were in 1983 and 1984, for the Viscounts Whitelaw, Tonypandy, and Macmillan of Ovenden.

THE ROBES of a viscount differ from those of an earl in having two rows of plain white fur only.

His lordship's cap is of crimson velvet, lined with ermine, having a gold tassel at top; and the golden circle of his coronet is surmounted by fourteen pearls.

First published in December, 2013.

1st Baron Kingsale

THE LORD KINGSALE IS PREMIER BARON OF IRELAND

The early lineage and origin of this ancient barony is obscure. One authority states that Miles de Courcy may have become Lord Courcy of Kinsale about 1340, though considers it more probable that the barony was acquired fifty years later.

In 1397, William de Courcy received a patent as Dominus et Baro de Courcy. The numbering of the barons varies, some sources including the holders of the ancient barony; others commencing with the barons confirmed by letters patent. The feudal titles of Lord Courcy and Lord Ringhorne, probably created on the 12th century, are also held.

The family of COURCY claims alliance with most of the royal houses of Europe, paternally through the Dukes of Lorraine, and maternally through the ducal house of Normandy. LOUIS IV, King of France, born in 920, wedded, in 939, Gerberga of Saxony, daughter of HENRY THE FOWLER, King of Germany, by whom he had two sons, Lothair, who succeeded to the French throne (and with whose son, LOUIS V, the race of monarchs descended from Charlemagne ceased), and CHARLES, Duke of Lower Lorraine; whose immediate descendant,

ROBERT DE COURCY, Lord of Courcy in Normandy, in 1026, was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD DE COURCY, who accompanied his sovereign WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, into England, and distinguishing himself at the battle of Hastings, participated largely in the Conqueror's spoil, having been allotted numerous lordships; amongst which was that of Stoke, in Somerset, and thence denominated Stoke Courcy (Stogursey).

His lordship died in 1098, and was succeeded by his son,

ROBERT, as 2nd Baron of Stoke Courcy, who founded the nunnery of Cannington, Somerset.

This nobleman was steward of the household to HENRY I, and to his daughter, EMPRESS MATILDA; by the former of whom he was appointed one of the greater barons of Westminster.

His lordship espoused Rohais, daughter of Hugh de Grandmesnil, Lord of Hinckley, Leicestershire, and Lord High Steward of England, by whom he had five sons, and was succeeded by the eldest,

WILLIAM, 3rd Baron of Stoke Courcy, and royal steward to HENRY I.

This nobleman, having no issue, was succeeded by his brother,

ROBERT, 4th Baron of Stoke Courcy, who, during the reign of KING STEPHEN, had a principal command at the battle of Northampton against the Scots.

This feudal lord wedded Avice, daughter and co-heir of William Meschin, and was succeeded by an only son,

ROBERT, 5th Baron, father of

WILLIAM, 6th Baron of Stoke Courcy, Royal Steward to HENRY II, who died in 1171, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN DE COURCY (1150-1219), 7th Baron of Stoke Courcy, who having distinguished himself during the reign of HENRY II, in that monarch's wars in England and Gascony, was sent into Ireland, in 1177, as an assistant to William FitzAdelm in the government of that kingdom.

Sir John having prevailed upon some of the veteran soldiers to accompany him, invaded the province of Ulster, with twenty-two knights, fifty esquires, and about three hundred foot-soldiers, and, after many hard-fought battles, succeeded in attaching Ulster to the English monarchy.

By many prosperous battles fought with great risk to his life, he subdued Ulster to the obedience of HENRY II.

He stretched the bounds of the English Pale as far as Dunluce, in the most northern parts of the province, which he endeavoured to secure by building castles and fortresses in convenient places.

Sir John established Inch Abbey, near Downpatrick, County Down, in 1177.

For this important service Sir John was formally created, in 1181 (being the first Englishman dignified with an Irish title of honour) EARL OF ULSTER, and Lord of Connaught; with a grant by patent to him and his heirs, that they should enjoy all the land in Ireland he could gain by his sword, together with the donation of bishoprics and abbeys; reserving from him only homage and fealty.

In 1182, he was constituted sole Governor of Ireland.

By his reputation and conduct he brought the whole kingdom in one year into such regularity and order that " a man with a wand, having treasure about him, might travel along the country with safety."

His lordship continued in high favour during the remainder of the reign of his royal master, and performed prodigies of valour in Ireland.

This splendour and rank having excited the envy of Hugh de Lacy, appointed Viceroy of Ireland by KING JOHN, Sir John, the Earl of Ulster, was seized while performing penance unarmed and barefooted in the churchyard at Downpatrick, County Down, on Good Friday, 1204.

He was sent over to England, where he was condemned to life imprisonment in the Tower of London.

KING JOHN granted to de Lacy all of Sir John's possessions in Ireland, and, in 1205, created him EARL OF ULSTER.

After Sir John had been in confinement about a year, a dispute happening to arise between KING JOHN and PHILIP II of France, concerning the Duchy of Normandy, the decision of which being referred to single combat, KING JOHN, more hasty than advised, appointed the day, against which the King of France provided his champion;

But the King of England, less fortunate, could find no one of his subjects willing to take up the gauntlet, until his captive in the Tower, Sir John de Courcy, was prevailed upon to accept the challenge.

However, when everything was prepared for the contest, and the champions had entered the lists, in the presence of the monarchs of England, France, and Spain, the opponent of the Sir John, seized with a sudden panic, put spurs on his horse and fled the arena; whereupon the victory was adjudged with acclamation to the champion of England.

The French king being informed, however, of Sir John's powerful strength, and wishing to witness some exhibition of it, his lordship, at the desire of KING JOHN, a sturdy helmet was laid on a block of wood, which Sir John cleft asunder, and with the same blow struck so deep into the wood, that no person present except himself could withdraw his sword.

The King was so well satisfied that this signal performance, that he not only restored Sir John to his estates and effects, but desired him to ask anything within his gift, and it should be granted.

His Majesty would now have restored his earldom, which was held back by Hugh de Lacy, who refused to surrender it.

KING JOHN could only accede to Sir John de Courcy the permission to repair to Ireland to re-conquer it for himself; at the same time granting to him and his male heirs the privilege of appearing covered before the Kings of England.

To which Sir John replied, that having estates and titles enough, he desired that his successors might have the privilege to remain covered in the presence of His Majesty, and all future kings of England, which request was immediately conceded.

Contrary winds prevented his succeeding in several attempts to cross the Irish Sea.

Sir John de Courcy died in France in 1219, and was succeeded by his only son,

MILES DE COURCY (c1286-c1344), who, being unable to recover his father's earldom, was created, ca 1340, BARON KINGSALE, in Ireland, as a compensation for the earldom of Ulster, which was retained by Hugh de Lacy.

His lordship was thereafter obliged to reside in Ireland, and neglected to claim the English barony of Stoke Courcy.

For three centuries afterwards the honours descended uninterruptedly to,

JOHN, 13th Baron, died in 1628, leaving four sons,

GERALD, his heir;
Edmond, dsp;
PATRICK;
David, grandfather of JOHN, 25th Baron.

The eldest son,

GERALD, 14th Baron, died without male issue, about 1642, leaving a daughter, MARY, who wedded firstly, John Galway, of Kinsale; and secondly, Donogh O'Driscoll.

His lordship was succeeded by his brother,

PATRICK, 15th Baron, who died about 1663, leaving four sons and three daughters, viz.

JOHN, his successor;
Edmund, dsp;
Miles, father of GERALD, 24th Baron;
Gerald, dsp;
Alice; Elizabeth; Margaret.

The eldest son,

JOHN, 16th Baron, died in 1667, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

PATRICK, 17th Baron (c1660-69); who dsp and was succeeded by his brother,

ALMERICUS, 18th Baron (c1664-1720); outlawed, 1691, for his adhesion to the fortunes of King JAMES II; but the oulawry was very soon removed, and his lordship took his seat in the Irish parliament in 1692.

This nobleman, in observance of the ancient privilege of his house, appeared in the presence of WILLIAM III covered, and explained to that monarch, when His Majesty expressed surprise at the circumstance, the reason thus:

Sire, my name is Courcy; I am Lord of Kingsale in Your Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland; and the reason of my appearing covered in Your Majesty's presence is, to assert the ancient privilege of my family, granted to Sir John de Courcy, Earl of Ulster, and his heirs, by JOHN, King of England.

The King acknowledged the privilege, and giving Lord Kingsale his hand to kiss, his lordship paid his obeisance and continued covered.

He died without issue, when the title reverted to his first cousin,

GERALD, 19th Baron (1700-59), grandson of Patrick, the 20th Baron; who, upon being presented to GEORGE I, in 1720, had the honour of kissing His Majesty's hand, and asserting his ancient privilege.

His lordship espoused Margaretta, only daughter and heir of John Essington, of Ashlyns, Hertfordshire, and had issue,

Mary;
Elizabeth Geraldine;
Eleanor Elizabeth.

His lordship thus leaving no male issue, the Barony devolved upon his second cousin,

JOHN, 20th Baron (c1717-76), who married, in 1746, Martha, daughter of the Rev William Heron, of Dorchester, Dorset, by whom he had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
William;
Michael, Admiral in the Royal Navy;
James;
Gerald (Rev);
Mary; Martha; Elizabeth; Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN, 21st Baron, who wedded, in 1763, Susan, daughter of Conway Blennerhasset, of Castle Conway, County Kerry, by whom he had issue,

John, died 1813;
THOMAS (Rev), his successor;
Michael, Captain RN;
Gerald;
Martha; Elizabeth; Anne Geraldine; Mary.

His lordship died in 1822, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

THOMAS, 22nd Baron (1774-1832); at whose decease, unmarried, the title devolved upon his nephew,

JOHN STAPLETON, 23rd Baron (1805-47), who wedded, in 1825, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Chadder, and had issue,

JOHN CONSTANTINE, his successor;
Michael Conrad;
Florence Helena; Catherine Adela.

• John Constantine de Courcy, 24th Baron (1827–65);

• Michael Conrad de Courcy, 25th Baron (1828–74);

• John Fitzroy de Courcy, 26th Baron (1821–90);

• Michael William de Courcy, 27th Baron (1822–95);

• Michael Constantine de Courcy, 28th Baron (1855–1931);

• Michael William Robert de Courcy, 29th Baron (1882–1969);

• John de Courcy, 30th Baron (1941–2005);

• Nevinson Mark de Courcy, 31st Baron (b 1958).

 The heir presumptive is the present holder's kinsman, Joseph Kenneth Charles de Courcy (b 1955).

The heir presumptive's heir apparent is his son, Patrick Miles Hugh de Courcy (b 1993).

First published in March, 2016. 

Castle Archdale Pictures

PETER ARCHDALE HAS SENT ME PHOTOGRAPHS OF CASTLE ARCHDALE MANOR HOUSE, COUNTY FERMANAGH

The Georgian manor house had a basement, accessible from the courtyard at the rear.

The courtyard still exists and is in excellent condition.

One side of the courtyard served as a hostel (the side facing the lough and the huge elevated water tanks) until ca 2004.

Incidentally, I stayed in the Castle Archdale hostel on several occasions until 2004, when it closed its doors for the last time. The fellow who managed it was, I think, called Stephen. The male dormitory was on the ground floor; and the female section was upstairs. I'm told that one or two occupants upstairs had complained about bats flying about! When the hostel closed down, business was transferred to a new hostel at the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen (which has since closed down itself).

The elevated water tanks were painted green (as far as I recall) and could be seen as a landmark from vessels on Lough Erne. 

The colour image was taken prior to demolition in the 1970s: Clicking on it will greatly enhance the detail.

The manor house was derelict by 1959, and was swept away ca 1975; as was the north gate lodge.

First published in August, 2010.

The Gladstone Baronets

THE GLADSTONE BARONETS WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN KINCARDINESHIRE, WITH 45,062 ACRES

JOHN GLADSTONES, born ca 1696, denizen and merchant at Biggar, south Lanarkshire, married Janet Aitken in 1730.

This John was miller, farmer, trader, and storekeeper to the Earl of Wigtown. He held many of the chief offices in the town, and was an elder in the Biggar Kirk.

His son,

THOMAS GLADSTONES (1732-1809), married Helen, daughter of Walter Neilson, in 1762.

When he was fourteen years old, this Thomas was sent to Leith, there to be apprenticed to Alexander Somerville, a wine merchant. He prospered and later became a successful corn merchant.

His eldest son,

JOHN GLADSTONE (1764-1851), of Leith, married firstly, in 1791, Jane, daughter of Joseph Hall; and secondly, in 1800, Anne MacKenzie, daughter of Andrew Robertson, by whom he had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Robertson;
John Neilson;
William Ewart (Rt Hon), PRIME MINISTER;
Ann MacKenzie; Helen Jane.

Mr Gladstone was created a baronet in 1846, designated of Fasque and Balfour, Kincardineshire.

He followed his father into the mercantile business, working first for his father's business, before basing himself in Liverpool in 1787, where he entered the house of grain merchants Corrie & Company as a clerk.

Gladstones was eventually taken into the firm as a partner, the name of the house becoming Corrie, Gladstone & Bradshaw. The business of the firm, and the wealth of its members, soon grew very large. Once he had settled in Liverpool, Gladstones dropped the final "s" from his surname, although this was not legally regularized until 1835.

Sir John's youngest son, THE RT HON WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE, was PRIME MINISTER, 1886.

Sir John's eldest son and heir,

SIR THOMAS GLADSTONE, 2nd Baronet (1804-89), married Louisa, daughter of Robert Fellowes, in 1835; Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire; MP for Queensborough, Portarlington, Leicester and Ipswich.

His only son,

SIR JOHN ROBERT GLADSTONE, 3rd Baronet (1852-1926), JP, Captain, Coldstream Guards; Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire; Brigadier, Royal Company of Archers, died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon his cousin,

SIR JOHN EVELYN GLADSTONE, 4th Baronet (1855-1945), JP DL, who married, in 1888, Gertrude Theresa, daughter of Sir Charles Hayes Miller; though died without male issue, when the title reverted to his cousin,

SIR ALBERT CHARLES GLADSTONE, 5th Baronet (1886-1967), MBE, who died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon his brother,

SIR CHARLES ANDREW GLADSTONE, 6th Baronet (1888-1968), JP, DL, who married, in 1925, Isla Margaret, daughter of Sir Walter Erskine Crum.

Master 1912-46, Eton College; fought in the 1st World War, where he attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and became a PoW; Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, 1948-68; High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1951.

His son and heir,

SIR ERSKINE WILLIAM GLADSTONE, 7th Baronet, KG, JP, DL, married Rosamund Anne, daughter of Major Robert Alexander Hambro, in 1962.

Headmaster, 1961-69, at Lancing College, Lancing, Sussex; County Alderman for Flintshire, 1970-74; Chief Scout for the UK and overseas branches, 1972-82; Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd, 1985-2000; Knight, Order of the Garter, 1999. He lived in 2003 at Hawarden Castle, Flintshire.

FASQUE CASTLE, near Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, is a large sandstone mansion, in a symmetrical castellated style, with octagonal towers at the centre and corners of the main facade.

The structure remains relatively unchanged since its completion. Sir John Gladstone, 1st Baronet, added a third storey to the central tower in 1830, and built the portico of rusticated pillars in the 1840s.

The drawing room was expanded in 1905, and some servants' quarters were added before the beginning of the 1st World War.

Innovative use of electricity meant that Fasque had an electronic buzzer system as early as 1890. It was also noted for having innovative firefighting and health and safety equipment in the 1920s.

Although begun by Sir Alexander Ramsay-Irvine, the current house was not completed until about 1809. Approximately £30,000 was spent on the project. The house took over ten years to construct.

In 1829, Fasque Castle was sold for £80,000 to Sir John Gladstone Bt.

In 1851, Sir John died, passing the house on to his oldest son, Thomas, 2nd Baronet.

Sir Thomas and his wife, Louisa, ran Fasque as an effective house for nearly 40 years, adding servants' quarters to the building itself, along with a school in the grounds.

During that time, William Ewart Gladstone (who had come into possession of Hawarden Castle in north Wales, through his wife's family, the Glynns) visited his elder brother many times, and practiced his hobbies of walking and tree-felling across the moors of the estate.

The estate lands had slowly expanded during Sir Thomas's tenure to encompass 80,000 acres (320 km2), bordering Balmoral to the north.

Sir Thomas died in 1889, passing the baronetcy on to his eldest son John, a bachelor soldier, who came home to run the estate with his sister Mary in the 1890s.

After Thomas' death, William Ewart Gladstone did not visit his nephew's estate again, and himself died in 1898.

Fasque Castle remained a working home until 1932, when Mary, who had survived her brother John by six years, passed on.

At this point, Fasque House became disused, with much of the furniture covered with sheets, and rooms locked up for decades.

The estate itself operated as before, but the main house was empty, although it remained "immaculately well preserved".

Eventually, the baronetcy passed through various family lines to end up with the 7th Baronet, Sir William, great-grandson of the prime minister, and a former Chief Scout.

In 1978, Sir William's younger brother, the naturalist Peter Gladstone, re-decorated Fasque, apparently whitewashing almost every wall surface himself, and opened it to the public for the first time in the September of that year.

Fasque Castle remained open to summer visitors for over two decades, with the mansion's east wing almost entirely open to the public, and the west wing providing a home for Peter's family.

A large auction sale of items from the house gained much publicity when it was held in the grounds in 1997.

Peter Gladstone died in 2000, with the estate now being run by Charles Gladstone, son of Sir William, the 7th Baronet.

In 2003, the house was closed to the public, and since then specially-arranged coach parties and wedding services have also been discontinued.

In 2010, Fasque Castle was bought by Fasque House Properties Ltd and restoration work was begun.

The building's use as a wedding venue was reinstated, alongside conference facilities and cottage rentals.

This sale did not affect the Fasque and Glen Dye Estate, which is still owned by the Gladstone family

First published in December, 2013.

Phœnix Lodge

WILLIAM CHARLEY OWNED 155 ACRES OF LAND AT SEYMOUR HILL, COUNTY ANTRIM

The family of CHARLEY, or CHORLEY, passing over from the north of England, settled in Ulster during the 17th century, at first in Belfast, where they were owners of house property for two hundred years; and afterwards at Finaghy, County Antrim, where

JOHN CHARLEY (c1659-1743), of Belfast, left a son,

RALPH CHARLEY (1674-1756), of Finaghy House, County Antrim, who wedded Elizabeth Hill, and had an only child,

JOHN CHARLEY (1711-93), of Finaghy House, who married Mary, daughter of John Ussher, and had issue,

Matthew, died unmarried;
JOHN, of whom hereafter;
Hill, died unmarried;
Jane, died unmarried.

The eldest surviving son,

JOHN CHARLEY (1744-1812), of Finaghy House, married, in 1783, Anne Jane, daughter of Richard Wolfenden, of Harmony Hill, County Down, and had issue,

John, of Finaghy House (1784-1844), dsp;
Matthew, of Finaghy House and Woodbourne;
WILLIAM, of whom we treat.

The third son,

WILLIAM CHARLEY (1790-1838), of Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, married, in 1817, Isabella, eldest daughter of William Hunter JP, of Dunmurry, and had issue,

JOHN, of Seymour Hill;
WILLIAM, succeeded his brother;
Edward, of Conway House;
Mary, of Huntley;
ANNE JANE, of whom hereafter;
Eliza; Isabella; Emily.

The second daughter,

ANNE JANE CHARLEY (1822-1904), of Phœnix Lodge, married William Stevenson, Junior, in 1842, by whom she had no issue.

IN 1837, the Ulster Railway Company opened its first line from Belfast to Lisburn. 

To encourage more use of the railway, free passes were offered to people if they built new homes near the stations and halts.

 It is thought that this may have influenced William Charley (1790-1838) to build Phœnix Lodge for his daughter, Anne Jane, in 1837, shortly before he died.

In 1842, Anne married William Stevenson, of Belfast, and they lived at Phoenix Lodge until his death in 1855.

His widow then moved to live with her mother at Huntley.

In 1882, the name of the house was changed simply to The Lodge, following the notorious Phœnix Park murders in Dublin.

Captain Arthur Charley (1870-1944) lived there with his wife, Clare, after the Great War until his brother, Edward Charley (1859-1932) died and he moved into Seymour Hill House.

In the 1930s, The Lodge was rented by Lord and Lady Ampthill.

In 1940, Major-General Sir James and Lady Cooke-Collis lived there (he was the first Ulster Agent in London, but died in 1941 as the result of a German air raid on his club in London).

Thereafter it was occupied by Major-General Vivian Majendie, GOC Northern Ireland.

In 1947, The Lodge was bought by Mrs Harland, sister of Sir Milne Barbour Bt, of Conway House.

Despite being listed, the house was vested in the early 1960s, following Mrs Harland's death.

The grounds taken over for the expansion of a nearby factory. 

A large, weeping ash tree dominated the front lawn of the Lodge.

The information has been sourced from Lisburn Historical Society.    First published in March, 2011.

Mount Charles Hall

THE MARQUESSES CONYNGHAM WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY DONEGAL, WITH 122,230 ACRES

The family of CONYNGHAM was originally of Scottish descent, and of very great antiquity in that part of the United Kingdom. WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, Bishop of Argyll, a younger son of William, 4th Earl of Glencairn, in 1539, left a son, WILLIAM CONYNGHAM, of Cunninghamhead, Ayrshire, who had two sons, WILLIAM, who succeeded at Cuninghamhead, and was created a baronet; and ALEXANDER CONYNGHAM, who, entering into Holy Orders, and removing into Ireland, was appointed, in 1611, the first Protestant minister of Enver and Killymard, County Donegal.

Mr Conyngham was appointed to the deanery of Raphoe on the consecration of Dean Adair as Lord Bishop of Killaloe, in 1630.

Dean Conyngham settled at Mount Charles, County Donegal, which estate he held, by lease, from the Earl of Annandale, and wedded Marion, daughter of John Murray, of Broughton, by whom he had no less than 27 children, of which four sons and five daughters survived infancy.

He died in 1660, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR ALBERT CONYNGHAM, Knight, who was appointed, in 1660, Lieutenant-General of the ordnance in Ireland.

This officer fought on the side of WILLIAM III at the Boyne, Limerick etc, and fell in a rencounter with the Rapparees, near Colooney in County Sligo.

He espoused Mary, daughter of the Rt Rev Robert Leslie, Lord Bishop of Raphoe, and was succeeded by his only surviving son,

MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY CONYNGHAM, of Slane Castle, MP for Coleraine, and for Donegal, who served during the reign of JAMES II as a captain in Mountjoy's Regiment.

When JAMES II desired his army to shift for itself, Conyngham prevailed upon 500 of his regiment to remain united, and with them offered his services to WILLIAM III. He became subsequently a major-general, and fell, in 1705-6, at St Estevan's, in Spain.

He wedded Mary, daughter of Sir John Williams Bt, of Minster Court, Kent, and widow of Charles, Lord Shelburne, by whom he got a very considerable property, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Henry;
Mary.

General Conyngham was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM CONYNGHAM, of Slane (an estate forfeited, in 1641, by Lord Slane), who was succeeded at his decease by his brother,

THE RT HON HENRY CONYNGHAM (1705-81), captain of horse on the Irish establishment, and MP from 1727 until raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Conyngham, of Mount Charles, in 1753.

His lordship was created Viscount Conyngham, in 1756; and Earl Conyngham, in 1781, the barony to descend, in case of failure of issue, to Francis Pierpoint Burton, the eldest son of his sister Mary, by Francis Burton.

His lordship married, in 1774, Ellen, only daughter and heir of Solomon Merret; but dying without an heir, in 1781, all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Conyngham, which devolved, according to the limitation, upon the above-mentioned

FRANCIS PIERPOINT BURTON, as 2nd Baron.

This nobleman wedded, in 1750, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the Rt Hon Nathaniel Clements, and sister of Robert, Earl of Leitrim, by whom he had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Francis Nathaniel (Sir), GCH;
Catherine; Ellena; Henrietta.

His lordship, on inheriting the title and estates of his uncle, assumed the surname and arms of CONYNGHAM.

He died in 1787, and was succeeded by his son,

HENRY, 3rd Baron, who, in 1787, was created Viscount Conyngham, of Slane, County Meath.

In 1797 he was advanced to the dignities of Viscount Mount Charles, of Mount Charles, County Donegal; and Earl Conyngham.

In 1801, Lord Conyngham was appointed a Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. In 1803, he was appointed Governor of County Donegal, a post he held until 1831, and Custos Rotulorum of County Clare in 1808, which he remained until his death.

In 1816, he was created Viscount Slane, Earl of Mount Charles, and further advanced to the dignity of
a marquessate, as MARQUESS CONYNGHAM.

In 1821, he was created Baron Minster, of Minster Abbey, Kent; and sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Lord Steward, a post he retained until 1830.

From 1829 until his death in 1832 he served as Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle.

• Henry Conyngham, 1st Marquess (1766–1832)
  • Henry F Conyngham, Earl of Mount Charles (1795–1824)
• Francis Nathaniel Conyngham, 2nd Marquess (1797–1876)
• George Henry Conyngham, 3rd Marquess (1825–82)
• Henry Francis Conyngham, 4th Marquess (1857–97)
• Victor George Henry Francis Conyngham, 5th Marquess (1883–1918)
• Frederick William Burton Conyngham, 6th Marquess (1890–1974)
• Frederick William Henry Francis Conyngham, 7th Marquess (1924–2009)
• Henry Vivien Pierpont Conyngham, 8th Marquess (b 1951)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son Alexander Burton Conyngham, styled Earl of Mount Charles.

The heir apparent's heir apparent is his son Rory Nicholas Burton Conyngham, styled Viscount Slane.

The Marquesses Conyngham were seated at The Hall, Mount Charles, County Donegal, now thought to be unoccupied.

The Hall is an early to mid-18th century double, gable-ended house of three storeys and five bays.

It has a pedimented door-case, bold quoins and a solid parapet concealing the roof and end gables.

At one end of the house there is a conservatory porch with astrigals and round-headed windows.

A salt works (also in the grounds of the former Conyngham estate) provided employment to local people during the 18th century.

8th Marquess Conyngham

The present Lord and Lady Conyngham continue to live at the ancestral seat, Slane Castle, County Meath. 

First published in April, 2011.  Conyngham arms courtesy of European Heraldry.