Derrymore House
Encyclopedia
Derrymore House is a National Trust
property in Bessbrook
, County Armagh
, Northern Ireland
. It is open to the public and is described by the National Trust as a "late 18th-century thatched house in gentrified vernacular style".
, MP
for Newry
for thirty years, on land he inherited from his father. The house was described by Sir Charles Coote
as "without exception, the most elegant summer lodge..." The Act of Union
was drafted in the drawing room (now known as the Treaty Room) of the house in 1800. The surrounding parkland was laid out by John Sutherland, one of the most celebrated disciples of Capability Brown
.
. Sir William Young, Bart. sold the Derrymore estate in 1825 to the Smyth family. The demesne, which hosted 140,000 trees, was then bought by the linen manufacturer John Grubb Richardson
who lived in the adjoining estate, The Woodhouse. Richardson was responsible for establishing the village of Bessbrook, and building Bessbrook Friends' Meeting House, which sits in the Derrymore demesne. In 1952 Mr. J. S. W. Richardson, a descendant of J. Grubb Richardson, donated Derrymore House and his estate at Bessbrook to the National Trust. The National Trust subsequently undertook to demolish a large portion of the house, which had been added by the Richardson family in the Georgian style, in order to return the property to the manner in which Isaac Corry had known it.
The banner of Bessbrook Star of Hope Temperance Loyal Orange Lodge 927, depicts Derrymore House, where the Act of Union was signed.
In the 1970s a bomb in an oil tin was carried by the then occupant away from the house to a safe place.
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
property in Bessbrook
Bessbrook
Bessbrook is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies about three miles northwest of Newry and close to the main Dublin–Belfast road and rail line...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It is open to the public and is described by the National Trust as a "late 18th-century thatched house in gentrified vernacular style".
Features
Built in the style of a cottage orné, house is set in over 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of beautiful parkland and woodland. It features unique local thatching using Shannon reeds.Isaac Corry, MP
It was built between 1776 and 1787 by Isaac CorryIsaac Corry
Isaac Corry FRS, PC , PC was an Irish and British Member of Parliament and lawyer.-Early career:Born in Newry, he was the son of Edward Corry , sometime Member of Parliament, and Catharine Bristow...
, MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Newry
Newry (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Newry was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
for thirty years, on land he inherited from his father. The house was described by Sir Charles Coote
Coote Baronets
-Coote Baronets of Castle Cuffe, Queen’s County:*Sir Charles Coote, 1st Baronet *Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Mountrath *Charles Coote, 2nd Earl of Mountrath *Charles Coote, 3rd Earl of Mountrath...
as "without exception, the most elegant summer lodge..." The Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
was drafted in the drawing room (now known as the Treaty Room) of the house in 1800. The surrounding parkland was laid out by John Sutherland, one of the most celebrated disciples of Capability Brown
Capability Brown
Lancelot Brown , more commonly known as Capability Brown, was an English landscape architect. He is remembered as "the last of the great English eighteenth-century artists to be accorded his due", and "England's greatest gardener". He designed over 170 parks, many of which still endure...
.
Later years
Derrymore was sold by Corry in 1810, when he moved to Dublin, and was later acquired by the Young familyYoung Baronets
There have been five Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Young, one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. Four of the creations are still extant...
. Sir William Young, Bart. sold the Derrymore estate in 1825 to the Smyth family. The demesne, which hosted 140,000 trees, was then bought by the linen manufacturer John Grubb Richardson
John Grubb Richardson
John Grubb Richardson was a major Irish industrialist who founded the model village of Bessbrook near Newry, in what is now Northern Ireland...
who lived in the adjoining estate, The Woodhouse. Richardson was responsible for establishing the village of Bessbrook, and building Bessbrook Friends' Meeting House, which sits in the Derrymore demesne. In 1952 Mr. J. S. W. Richardson, a descendant of J. Grubb Richardson, donated Derrymore House and his estate at Bessbrook to the National Trust. The National Trust subsequently undertook to demolish a large portion of the house, which had been added by the Richardson family in the Georgian style, in order to return the property to the manner in which Isaac Corry had known it.
The banner of Bessbrook Star of Hope Temperance Loyal Orange Lodge 927, depicts Derrymore House, where the Act of Union was signed.
In the 1970s a bomb in an oil tin was carried by the then occupant away from the house to a safe place.