Wednesday 27 October 2021

Stackallan House

THE VISCOUNTS BOYNE OWNED 2,739 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY MEATH


This is a branch of the ducal house of ABERCORN; CLAUD HAMILTON, created 1st Lord Paisley, in 1587, being the common ancestor of both.

THE HON SIR FREDERICK HAMILTON (c1590-1647), son of Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley, by his wife, Margaret, daughter of George, 6th Lord Seton, married firstly, Sidney, daughter of Sir John Vaughan, and had issue,
James, of Manorhamilton;
Frederick, killed in action in Ireland;
GUSTAVUS, of whom we treat;
Christina, m Sir George Munro.
He wedded secondly, Agnes or Alice, daughter of Sir Robert Hepburn, of Alderstown, without further issue.

The youngest son,

GUSTAVUS HAMILTON (1642-1723), having abandoned the fortunes of JAMES II, to whom he was a privy counsellor, and distinguished himself as a military officer in the service of WILLIAM III, particularly at the battle of the Boyne, and the siege of Derry, was sworn of the Privy Council of the latter monarch, appointed Brigadier-General of his armies, and further rewarded with a grant of forfeited lands.

General Hamilton was MP for County Donegal, 1692-1713, and for Strabane, 1713-15.

In the reign of QUEEN ANNE he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General; and by Her Majesty's successor, GEORGE I, elevated to the peerage, 1715, in the dignity of Baron Hamilton of Stackallan, County Meath.

His lordship was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1717, as VISCOUNT BOYNE.

He married Elizabeth, second daughter of SIR HENRY BROOKE, Knight, of Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, and had issue,
FREDERICK (c1663-1715), father of GUSTAVUS, 2nd Viscount;
Gustavus, father of 3rd and 4th Viscounts;
Henry, MP for Donegal, 1725-43;
Elizabeth.
His lordship was succeeded by his grandson,

2nd Viscount Boyne (Image: Scottish National Gallery)

GUSTAVUS
, 2nd Viscount (1710-46); at whose decease, unmarried, the honours devolved upon his cousin,

FREDERICK, 3rd Viscount (1718-72), who wedded, in 1737, Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Hodley; but dying without issue, he was succeeded by his brother,

RICHARD, 4th Viscount (1724-89), who espoused Georgiana, second daughter of William Bury, by whom he had issue, seventeen children, including,
GUSTAVUS, his successor;
Charles;
Richard;
Catherine; Mary; Barbara; Sophia; Anne.
His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

GUSTAVUS, 5th Viscount (1749-1816), who married, in 1773, Martha Matilda, only daughter of Sir Quaile Somerville Bt, of Somerville, County Meath, and had issue,
GUSTAVUS, his successor;
Richard Somerville, Royal Navy;
Sarah; Georgiana.
His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

GUSTAVUS, 6th Viscount (1777-1855), who wedded, in 1796, Harriet, only daughter of Benjamin Baugh, of Burwarton House, Shropshire, and had issue,
  • Gustavus Frederick Hamilton-Russell, 7th Viscount (1798–1872);
  • Gustavus Russell Hamilton-Russell, 8th Viscount (1830–1907);
  • Gustavus William Hamilton-Russell, 9th Viscount (1864–1942);
  • Gustavus Michael Stucley Hamilton-Russell, 11th Viscount (b 1965).
The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest twin son, the Hon Gustavus Archie Edward Hamilton-Russell (b 1999).


STACKALLAN HOUSE, near Navan, County Meath (originally called Boyne House) was built ca 1716 for Gustavus Hamilton, afterwards 1st Viscount Boyne.

It has been attributed to Colonel Thomas de Burgh, the military engineer, architect and MP.

It comprises three storeys and two adjoining pedimented fronts, one of nine bays and the other, seven bays.

The house has bold quoins and and distinctive window surrounds.

The roof is high-pitched with a modillion cornice.


The staircase is adorned with the Hamilton coat-of-arms surrounded by various military trophies, enclosed in a stucco wreath.

After the 2nd World War Stackallan became the residence of Mrs Anthony Burke, whose late husband was the grandson of Sir Henry Farnham Burke KCVO CB, Garter Principal King of Arms.

It is believed that Stackallan is now the property of Mr Martin Lawrence Naughton KBE.

In 2015 Mr Naughton, CBE, was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) for services to the Northern Ireland economy, art and philanthropic causes.

First published in April, 2018.  Boyne arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

2 comments :

Nicholas Dykes said...

The 3rd Viscount actually married twice, the second illegally, and had several Children who were treated with all honours whilst their father lived. On his demise, his brother Richard took the title and it transpires that he was paying the legal costs of his late brothers first Wife, Elizabeth Hadley.

SKLeahy said...

In 1916 this property belonged to my great grandfather, Daniel O’Mahoney Leahy. It is listed as his address when he led the 10th Dublin Fusileers in WWI. My grandfather emigrated to Canada but described living there as a child.