Sep 28, 2025
See here for more stories of County Laois. On Saturday 27 September 2025, Seamus Raben and I visited Bellegrove House near Ballybrittas in County Laois. Also known as Rathdaire House, this glorious ruin was once home to the notorious “Black Jack” Adaire. As we...
Jul 1, 2025
Tracing a line of the Becher family of County Cork, Ireland, that descend from Phane Becher (c.1546-1592), including the Venerable John Richard Hedges Becher (1861-1946), Archdeacon of Ossory & Leighlin, John Hedges Becher (1888-1967) who worked on railways in...
Apr 15, 2025
Renowned as a skilled amateur huntsman, Arthur Pollok transformed the hunting scene with exceptional leadership and improved hound bloodlines. Despite challenges from local farmers and hunting controversies, his tenure remains one of the most successful in Kildare’s...
Nov 13, 2024
See here for other stories relating to County Galway. This branch of the Usshers lived at Eastwell, Killallaghtan, County Galway. The house is pictured here, but only the farmyard, stables and outbuildings survive, as per here. It is not yet clear what...
Dec 28, 2023
Origins of the Pelham Family The Pelhams first rose to prominence in the Middle Ages when Sir John Pelham fought alongside Edward III during the Hundred Years War. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Field Marshall Sir William Pelham of Brocklesby in Lincolnshire...
