William Whitelocke-Lloyd: The Irishman who Sketched the Zulu War

William Whitelocke-Lloyd: The Irishman who Sketched the Zulu War

The story of an independent spirit from County Waterford who was kicked out of Oxford for partying too noisily, and found himself painting the horrors of the Anglo-Zulu War while serving with the the 24th Foot in the time of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, plus...

The Kinnears from Balmerino to Ballybay

THE KINNEARS FROM BALMERINO TO BALLYBAY Arms: Sable, on a bend or, three martlets (or canary birds) vert. Crest: Two anchors, saltier ways, proper. Motto: I live in hope. WHAT’S IN A NAME? There have always been numerous variations to the spelling of the name with de...
De Burgh of Oldtown, Co. Kildare

De Burgh of Oldtown, Co. Kildare

Reputedly descended from Charlemagne, the de Burgh’s role in Irish affairs has been immense since the first knights who cantered across the seas in the 12th century. The Oldtown branch was established in Kildare 325 years ago by Thomas Burgh, a brilliant...
Barton of Straffan House, County Kildare, and Grove, County Tipperary

Barton of Straffan House, County Kildare, and Grove, County Tipperary

The remarkable tale of the family of ‘Wine Geese’ who, having arrived in Ireland in the last year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, prospered in the wine trade despite the French Revolution.  They owned the Châteaux Léoville Barton and Langoa vineyards from where some of...
Barton & Childers of Glendalough House, Co. Wicklow

Barton & Childers of Glendalough House, Co. Wicklow

  “Fide et Fortitude” (By fidelity and fortitude)   The story of the Barton family is told in depth in my account of the Bartons of Straffan House, County Kildare, and Grove, County Tipperary. What follows here is a shorter précis of that, related to the branch that...