Francis French, 7th Baron de Freyne
Encyclopedia
Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne (3 September 1927 – 24 November 2009) was an Irish-born aristocrat, son of Francis French, 6th Baron de Freyne
and Lina Victoria Arnott.
Lord de Freyne was educated at Ladycross School
, Seaford, East Sussex
and at the Benedictine Abbey school, Glenstal, in Co. Limerick.
He married, firstly, Shirley Ann Pobjoy, daughter of Dougles Rudolph Pobjoy, on 30 January 1954. He and Shirley Ann Pobjoy were divorced in 1978. He married, secondly, Sheelin Deidre O'Kelly, daughter of Lt.-Col. Henry Kane O'Kelly, in July 1978. He inherited the title of Baron de Freyne
of Coolavin, co. Sligo in 1935 which, until 1999 entitled him to sit in the House of Lords
. He was also a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
In 1952 Lord de Freyne sold French Park, the family's ancestral home, in Frenchpark
, Republic of Ireland. The great house and demesne had been in the French family since 5000 acres (20.2 km²) were granted to Dominick French in 1666; prior to its dissemination during the land acts the estate comprised 36000 acres (145.7 km²). Having sold the estate, the de Freynes moved to Oxfordshire.
By his first wife Lord de Freyne had three children;
His eldest son, Charles, succeeded as Baron de Freyne upon his father's death on 24 November 2009.
Francis French, 6th Baron de Freyne
Francis Charles French, 6th Baron De Freyne DL was an Anglo-Irish hereditary peer; he was a member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, and the Senate of Southern Ireland....
and Lina Victoria Arnott.
Lord de Freyne was educated at Ladycross School
Ladycross School
Ladycross was a Catholic preparatory school based in Seaford, East Sussex, overlooking the downs with trenches which led up to the cliffs. Founded in 1891, more than 2,000 pupils attended it before its closure in 1977.-History:...
, Seaford, East Sussex
Seaford, East Sussex
Seaford is a coastal town in the county of East Sussex, on the south coast of England. Lying east of Newhaven and Brighton and west of Eastbourne, it is the largest town in Lewes district, with a population of about 23,000....
and at the Benedictine Abbey school, Glenstal, in Co. Limerick.
He married, firstly, Shirley Ann Pobjoy, daughter of Dougles Rudolph Pobjoy, on 30 January 1954. He and Shirley Ann Pobjoy were divorced in 1978. He married, secondly, Sheelin Deidre O'Kelly, daughter of Lt.-Col. Henry Kane O'Kelly, in July 1978. He inherited the title of Baron de Freyne
Baron de Freyne
Baron de Freyne is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.-Two baronies:Baron de Freyne, of Coolavin in the County of Sligo, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created 1851 for Arthur French, 1st Baron de Freyne, with remainder to his younger brothers John, Charles and...
of Coolavin, co. Sligo in 1935 which, until 1999 entitled him to sit in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He was also a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
In 1952 Lord de Freyne sold French Park, the family's ancestral home, in Frenchpark
Frenchpark
Frenchpark, historically known as Dungar , is a village in County Roscommon, Ireland on the N5 national primary road. It was the home of Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland....
, Republic of Ireland. The great house and demesne had been in the French family since 5000 acres (20.2 km²) were granted to Dominick French in 1666; prior to its dissemination during the land acts the estate comprised 36000 acres (145.7 km²). Having sold the estate, the de Freynes moved to Oxfordshire.
By his first wife Lord de Freyne had three children;
- Fulke Charles Arthur John French, 8th Baron de Freyne (b. 21 Apr 1957)
- Hon. Vanessa Rose Bradbury French (b. 19 Sep 1958)
- Hon. Patrick Dominic Fitzstephen Jude (b. 27 Nov 1969)
His eldest son, Charles, succeeded as Baron de Freyne upon his father's death on 24 November 2009.