White's Tavern

Prospect of White’s Tavern from Lombard Street entrance

WHITE'S TAVERN, Winecellar Entry, Belfast, is a three-storey rendered public house of ca 1790 facing onto the courtyard of Winecellar Entry.

The style is urban vernacular, though the fenestration is fairly regular.

The roof is covered with Bangor Blue slates, with the ridge parallel to Lombard Street; eaves with ogee gutter.

the front elevation is rendered and painted with slight texture; shallow frames surround most windows, and projecting cills.

Windows are contemporary, typically two-over-two, quite regularly spaced in six bays.

the ground floor is more irregular, with four windows close together, one much smaller window and three doors.

Modern ornamental iron grilles protect the windows at ground and first floor levels

Quoin-stones are at each end of the terrace.

The building is “landlocked,” being enclosed on three sides.

THE STUMP of a bollard of some antiquity survives in Winecellar Entry, at the corner of the courtyard near White's Tavern. Marcus Patton suggests that it might be what remains of an old cannon.

White's claims to be Belfast's oldest tavern.

The first building on the current site is believed to have been established as early as 1630, according to popular tradition.

It is thought that the original structure on the site was erected in 1630 by Thomas Kane.

There is, however, no documentary evidence that accurately supports this construction date.

The 1685 map of Belfast records that Winecellar Entry did not even exist in the mid-17th century.

The map shows that the area between High Street, Bridge Street and Waring Street was utilised as yard and garden space, whilst there were no standalone buildings depicted within the area which later became Winecellar Entry.

Another theory suggests that the Bateson family established a wine and spirit store in the vicinity during the late-1600s.

The current building does not date from the mid-17th century, but actually dates from the late-18th century, when the previous structure was demolished and reconstructed by VALENTINE JONES.

Mr Jones, a wine merchant, constructed "two good and substantial messuages or tenements of brick and lime, three stories high.”

Marcus Patton OBE states that Winecellar Entry was known in 1715 as 'Bigart's Alley'.

I wonder if this entry was more likely to have been named after James Bigger, a prominent merchant in Belfast at the time.

The alley was renamed Winecellar Entry by the early-19th century due to the number of wine cellars that had been established along the alley.

During the early-19th century the wine and spirit store changed hands with great frequency.

In 1803, the property came into the possession of James Napier, and was later controlled by William Park & Co.

John Kane was the sole wine merchant recorded in 1824; however, by the 1830s the premises were occupied by Messrs John Murphy & Co.

Winecellar Entry ca 1845

By 1852, the property was occupied by Hugh White and his trading partner, James Neil.

In that year the site was recorded as "Neil & White - Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants.”

Neil and White continued to work in partnership until at least the early-1860s.

James Neil left the partnership between 1861-68, when Hugh White took over the wine and spirit stores, giving the building its current name, although the establishment was then known as Hugh White & Co.

Mr White died in 1882; however, the licensed stores continued to operate under his full name for a century until the 1960s.

Winecellar Entry in 2022 (Timothy Ferres)

Since the early-19th century, the building on Winecellar Entry was not referred to as a public house but operated as a licensed wholesale store.

A section of the building operated as The Temperance Hotel in the 1870s.

It is not known precisely when Hugh White's wine and spirit store was converted into a public house; however, in 1900 the building included a public house which was open for six days of the week, but was required to close early.

Mr White continued to sell wine and spirits wholesale.

The premises were renamed White's Tavern in 1962, when the building was renovated.

White's Tavern underwent a major restoration and heavy redecoration in the 1980s, when

"...the style of both the exterior and the interior [was] designed to reflect the rich heritage of one of Belfast's oldest drinks emporiums."

Sir Charles Brett, writing in 1985, criticised the renovation, noting that

"Until quite recently it combined the picturesque and the practical to perfection with its heavy timbered bays, barred windows and roof hoist. Unfortunately it has recently been disastrously restored in "Ye Olde" style; the outside boasts a poker-work inn-sign, the interior is replete with arty brass and electric bulbs in bogus lanterns."

The Tavern was acquired by the owners of the Merchant Hotel ca 2013.

In 2019 the bar was acquired by the Clover Group.

The exterior of the building affords little of great interest today, architecturally or aesthetically.

First published in February, 2015.

Belfast Antiquities

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THERE are no remains of antiquity in the town, though some are scattered over the parish: near Stranmillis, on the Lagan, was an ancient chapel, called Capella de Kilpatrick; on the summit of a hill on Upper Malone was the Capella de Crookmuck.

Near Callender's Fort, on the Falls Road, about two miles from the town, was that of Cranock, of which traces of the foundations and a large cemetery are still remaining; and on the same road, the chapel of Kilwee, where numerous elegantly carved crosses and other sepulchral monuments have been found.

About three miles on the Carrickfergus road is a small fragment of an ancient fortress, called Greencastle; in Upper Malone was an extensive fort called Castle Cam, or Freeston Castle, on the site of which the elegant mansion of Malone House has been erected.

At a small distance on the left of the road to Shaw's Bridge are seen the foundations of a third fort; in the grounds of Malone, near Lismoyne, are the remains of a fourth; and in the burial ground at Friar's Bush are the remains of a fifth.

AMONG the most curious relics of antiquity are the caves in various places formed in the earth and in the hard limestone rock; of the former, three were discovered in 1792 at Wolf Hill.

On the side of a small hill on the townland of Ballymagarry is one of larger dimensions; and near Hannahstown is one still larger, which since 1798 has been closed, having at that time been a place of concealment for arms.

Three large caves, which give name to the mountain called Cavehill, are all formed in the perpendicular face of an immense range of basaltic rock.

THE large ramparts of earth, called raths, or forts, are also numerous: of these the most extensive is McArt's Fort, on the summit of Cavehill, protected on one side by a precipice, and on the others by a single ditch of great depth and a vallum of large dimensions.

Near the base of Squires Hill are many smaller raths, and two of large dimensions almost on the summit of Black Mountain; and near the shore, at Fortwilliam, is an encampment, 70 feet square, surrounded by a deep fosse and defended by a bastion at each angle, and said to have been thrown up by WILLIAM III in 1690; near it is another entrenchment of ruder construction.

There are two large cairns on Black Mountain, in one of which, in 1829, was found a large urn filled with calcined human bones, a spear head, and two ornaments of brass; there is also a cairn on Cavehill, and one on Squires Hill.

Great numbers of stone and flint hatchets, and arrow heads of flint, have been discovered; and brazen celts and quern-stones, or hand millstones, are occasionally found. 

Mohill Castle

THE CROFTON BARONETS, OF MOHILL, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LEITRIM, WITH 9,590 ACRES

JOHN CROFTON, of Mote, County Roscommon, Escheator-General in the reign of ELIZABETH I (descended from the Lords Crofton, of Crofton, Lancashire), married, ca 1565, Jane, sister of Sir Henry Duke, Knight, and had issue,

Edward;
John;
William;
HENRY.

The youngest son,

HENRY CROFTON, of Mohill Castle, County Leitrim, upon whom his father settled the castle and lands of Mohill, 1607, obtained a patent from CHARLES I, erecting Mohill into a manor.

Armorial bearings of Anne, 1st Baroness Crofton

By Ursula Moore, his wife, he left at his decease, in 1643, a son, his successor,

THOMAS CROFTON, of Mohill, who wedded, in 1707, Bridget, daughter of Hugh Morgan, of Cottlestown, and died in 1738, having had issue,

Thomas, dsp 1729;

HUGH, of whom presently;

Elizabeth.

He was succeeded by his second son,

HUGH CROFTON, (c1709-67) of Mohill, MP for County Leitrim, 1743-60, who wedded, in 1730, Anne, daughter of George Crofton, of Lisnadern, and had three sons and a daughter, Elizabeth.

Mr Crofton was succeeded by his second surviving son, 

MORGAN CROFTON (1733-1802), of Mohill, who was created a baronet in 1801, designated of Mohill, County Leitrim.

He married Jane, youngest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Henri D'Abzac, of the family of Count of Périgord, and had issue,

HUGH, of whom presently;
Henry, in holy orders;
Morgan, grandfather of Lt-Col James Crofton;
Anne Magdalene; Jane.

Sir Morgan was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR HUGH CROFTON, 2nd Baronet (1763-1834), of Mohill Castle, who married, in 1787, Frances, youngest daughter of Ralph Smyth, of Barbarvilla, County Westmeath, and had issue,

MORGAN GEORGE, his heir;
Hugh;
Ralph;
Henry William;
Augustus;
Charles;
Richard Maximilian;
Parsons;
Frances; Jane; Barbara; Anne Digby.

Sir Hugh was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MORGAN GEORGE CROFTON, 3rd Baronet (1850-1900), who wedded Emily, daughter of the Rt Hon Denis Daly, of Dunsandle, County Galway, and had issue,

HUGH DENIS, his heir;
Denis.

• Sir Hugh Denis Crofton, 5th Baronet (1878–1902);
• Sir Morgan George Crofton, 6th Baronet (1879–1958);
• Sir Patrick Simon Crofton, 7th Baronet (1936–87);
• Sir (Hugh) Denis Crofton, 8th Baronet (b 1937).

The heir presumptive is the present holder's brother, Edward Morgan Crofton (b 1945).

*****

MOHILL CASTLE, Mohill, County Leitrim, was stated to have been a simple early house with tall gable ends, adjacent to the village of Mohill.

It was occupied for a period in the 19th century by the Kane family.

Unfortunately I have no images of Mohill Castle.

An 18th century house stands on the site of the castle.

This may be, or have been known as Mohill House.

First published in December, 2012.

Drumbo

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

DRUMBO, or Drumboe, a parish, in the barony of Upper Castlereagh, County Down, four miles from Lisburn, on the River Lagan, and on the old road to Belfast.

Twelve townlands of the ancient parish having been lately annexed to Drumbeg, it now comprises 9629 statute acres, chiefly arable, with a very small proportion of woodland, and, except lands belonging to gentlemen who farm their own property, in a very indifferent state of cultivation, though lately much improved: there is a large tract of bog.

The weaving of cotton is carried on for the manufacturers of Belfast; and at Edenderry is a bleach-green.

The Lagan opens a communication with Belfast, Lisburn, and Lough Neagh.

Belvedere House (Image: Belfast Live)

The principal seats are Edenderry, the residence of W Russell; Edenderry House, of C Dunlop; Belvedere, of A Durham; New Grove, of J Russell; and the elegant lodge and greater part of the demesne of Purdysburn, the splendid residence of Narcissus Batt.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Down, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £517.

The glebe house was built in 1816; the glebe comprises 6½ acres.

Drumbo Presbyterian Church (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

The church, a handsome Grecian edifice with a lofty tower surmounted by a copper dome, was erected in 1788, by subscription, aided by a grant of £500 from the Board of First Fruits, a donation of 150 guineas from Mr Hull, of Belvedere, and of 100 guineas from the Marquess of Downshire.

There are places of worship for Presbyterians, Independents, and Methodists.

Ballymacbrennan schoolhouse (Image: Belfast Telegraph)

Nearly 600 children are educated in the several public schools of the parish; that at Purdysburn was built at the expense of Mr Batt, who supports the school and also provides residences for the master and mistress, who have about 150 pupils; and the master of a school at Ballymacbrennan receives £20 per annum from the trustees of Erasmus Smith's fund, and has an acre of land given by the Marquess of Downshire.

There are also six private schools, in which there are about 400 children.

Giant's Ring: image of a painting in the Welch Collection/NMNI

Not far from the parish church is the Giant's Ring, a circular entrenchment enclosing more than eight plantation acres, perfectly level; in the centre of the enclosure is a large cromlech, or Druids' altar, consisting of seven upright stones supporting a table stone of nearly circular form and sloping towards the east: the land is now let, and the earthwork is being removed for the purpose of cultivation.

Drumbo ca 1830 (historic OS map).  Click to enlarge

In the burial ground close to the supposed site of the ancient church was an abbey, said to have been founded by St Patrick, and of which St Mochumna was the first abbot; there is also an ancient round tower.

Drumbo Round Tower (Timothy Ferres, 2024)

In the parish are eight large raths, the most conspicuous of which, on the summit of Tullyard, is constructed of earth, loose stones, and vitrified substances, similar to the cairns of Scotland.

It is supposed by some writers that there was anciently a fortified town here.

Moira Castle

(Image: Royal Irish Academy)

Here is a rare painting of Moira Castle in County Down, former seat of the RAWDONS, EARLS OF MOIRA. 

Moira Castle, as described by Burke's, was

A large, three-storey, 18th century house with a nine-bay front, consisting of a five-bay centre and a two-bay extension, slightly higher than the centre, on either side.

Only the roof of the centre section was visible: The roofs of the side bays were either flat, or concealed by the massive cornices with which these bays were surmounted.

The mansion had a pedimented and rusticated doorway; curved end bows.

The front was prolonged by single-storey wings on either side, ending in piers with urns.

The Rawdons sold their Moira demesne to SIR ROBERT BATESON Bt in 1805 and moved to Montalto estate, near Ballynahinch, in the same county.

It is thought that Moira Castle was ruinous by the 1830s.

*****

THE water-colour above is by Gabriel Beranger (1729-1817).

Beranger was born in 1729 at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

He moved to Dublin in 1750 to join other family members.

In 1756, he married his cousin Louise Beranger (d 1782), and shortly afterwards opened a print shop at St Stephen's Green.

Beranger became acquainted with several members of Dublin society who were then taking a great interest in Irish history and antiquities. In 1773 he and his antiquarian friends made the first of their tours through Ireland.

Beranger's wife died in April, 1782, and in June of that year, he married Elizabeth Mestayer.

In the early 1780s, he obtained a job as assistant ledger-keeper in the exchequer office.

In later years his circumstances were eased after he inherited part of a fortune amassed in India by his brother-in-law, Colonel Mestayer.

Gabriel Beranger died at a house in St Stephen's Green in 1817.

First published in March, 2011.

The McMahon Baronetcy

THE McMAHON BARONETS, OF DUBLIN, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY TYRONE, WITH 16,326 ACRES 

JOHN McMAHON, patentee Comptroller of the Port of Limerick, by his first wife had issue, a son,

John, cr a baronet, 1817, designated of Ashley Manor.

He wedded secondly, in 1771, Mary, daughter of James Stackpole, of Cork, and had further issue,

WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Thomas (Lieutenant-General Sir), 2nd Baronet, of Ashley Manor.

John McMahon was butler to Robert, Earl of Leitrim, who granted him the position of Comptroller of the Port of Limerick.

The elder son,

WILLIAM McMAHON (1776-1837), having been bred to the Bar, was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and sworn of the Privy Council.

Mr McMahon was created a baronet in 1815, designated of Dublin.

He married firstly, in 1807, Frances, daughter of Beresford Burston, of the Irish Bar, and one of His Majesty's Counsel, and had issue,

BERESFORD BURSTON, his successor;
William John, b 1811.

Sir William wedded secondly, in 1814, Charlotte, daughter of Robert Shaw, of Dublin, and sister of Sir Robert Shaw Bt, and had further issue,

Robert;
Augustus;
Charles;
George;
Charlotte; Louisa; Wilhelmina.

The eldest son, 

SIR BERESFORD BURSTON McMAHON, 2nd Baronet (1808-73), of Fortfield House, Captain, Scots Fusilier Guards, espoused, in 1838, Maria Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Bateson Bt, of Belvoir Park, Belfast, and had issue,

WILLIAM SAMUEL, his successor;
Robert Bateson, died unmarried;
Beresford Burston, died unmarried;
Gerald Charles, died unmarried;
LIONEL, 4th Baronet;
Catherine Charlotte; Frances Thomasine;
Maria Constance Georgiana; Nina Gertrude.

Sir Beresford was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM SAMUEL McMAHON, 3rd Baronet (1839-1905), DP DL, of Mountfield Lodge, County Tyrone, Captain, 2nd Life Guards, attaché to the British Legation at Munich, who died unmarried and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR LIONEL McMAHON, 4th Baronet (1856-1926), DL, who wedded, in 1888, Anne Celia Austin-Cooke, though the marriage was without issue.

Sir Lionel was Lieutenant in the 58th Regiment; fought in the Zulu War, 1879; admitted to Inner Temple, entitled to practice as a barrister; DL of County Tyrone; High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1914.

On his death, the baronetcy became extinct.

Sir Charles McMahon (1824-91), Knight, youngest son of the 1st Baronet, was born at Omagh, County Tyrone and served with the army in Canada and India. In 1853, he went to Australia and was became Melbourne's Chief Commissioner of Police.

At one time his remarkably successful business deals were called into question, but he survived the accusations and was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly and was knighted in 1875. Sir Charles was born at Fecarry Lodge, Omagh, County Tyrone.

*****

THE VILLAGE of Mountfield, near Omagh, was developed mainly in the 1800s by the 1st Baronet in order to rival Omagh.

The McMahons lived at Fecarry Lodge, near the village.

The area was acquired in 1846, following the sale of the Blessington estate.

The 1st Baronet initially built Fecarry Lodge; Mountfield Lodge was built later.

In 1911, the 3rd Baronet's address was listed as Mountfield Lodge; and he also had a London home at 214 Finchley Road, Hampstead.

First published in  November, 2010.  McMahon arms courtesy of the NLI.

1st Duke of Wharton

DUKEDOM OF WHARTON

1718-31

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, on the banks of the river Eden, Westmorland, living during the reign of HENRY V, Lord of the manors of Wharton and Nateby, in Kirkby Stephen, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Musgrave, Knight, of Hartley Castle, Westmorland, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;

Gilbert.

The elder son, 

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton and Croglin, wedded the daughter of Lowther, of Lowther, and had issue,

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, who espoused Alice, daughter of Sir John Conyers, Knight, of Hornby, Yorkshire, and had issue,

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton, who married Agnes (or Margaret), daughter of Reginald Warcop, of Swerdale, Westmorland, and had issue, of whom the elder son,

SIR THOMAS WHARTON (1495-1568), Knight, Governor of the town and castle of Carlisle, was summoned to Parliament, in 1545, as Baron Wharton.

His lordship married firstly, Eleanor, daughter of Sir Bryan Stapleton, of Wighill, Yorkshire; and secondly, in 1561, the Lady Anne Talbot, daughter of Francis, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury.

He was succeeded by an elder son and successor (having had issue by the former wife only), 

THOMAS, 2nd Baron (1520-72), who wedded Anne, younger daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Sussex, and had issue, a son and successor,

PHILIP, 3rd Baron (1555-1625), who espoused firstly, in 1577, Frances, second daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, and had, with three daughters, two sons,

George;
Thomas.

His lordship married secondly, Dorothy Colby; and thirdly, the Lady Anne Manners, daughter of John, 4th Earl of Rutland.

The 2nd Baron's sons having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson,

PHILIP, 4th Baron (1613-96), who married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Rowland Wandesford, Knight, of Pickhay, Yorkshire, and had issue, an only daughter, ELIZABETH.

4th Baron Wharton, by Anthony van Dyck
(Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA)

His lordship wedded secondly, Jane, daughter and heir of Colonel Arthur Goodwin, of Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Goodwin, MP;
Henry;
Anne; Margaret; Mary; Philadelphia.

The 4th Baron espoused thirdly, Mrs Anne Popham.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 5th Baron (1648-1715), who was created, in 1706, Viscount Winchendon and Earl of Wharton; and, 1715, advanced to the dignities of Marquess of Malmesbury and Marquess of Wharton; and at the same time was made a peer of Ireland, as Baron Trim, Earl of Rathfarnham, and Marquess of Catherlough.

Allegorical Tomb of Thomas, 1st Marquess of Wharton
Photo Credit: Government Art Collection

His lordship espoused firstly, Anne, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir Henry Lee Bt, of Ditchley, Oxfordshire; and secondly, Lucy, only daughter and heiress of Adam, 1st Viscount Lisburne, and besides two daughters, Lucy and Jane, an only son,

PHILIP, 2nd Marquess (1698-1731), who was created, in 1718, DUKE OF WHARTON.

His Grace married firstly, Martha, daughter of Major-General Richard Holmes, and had issue, an only child, Thomas, who died in infancy. 

He wedded secondly, Maria Theresa O'Neill, daughter of Colonel Henry O'Beirne, an Irish officer in the Spanish Service, but had no issue.

His Grace, the celebrated and witty Duke of Wharton, was attainted, 1729, and died in a Spanish monastery in 1731, when all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Wharton which became abeyant between the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Baron Willoughby de Eresby, and Colonel Charles Kemeys-Tynte.

• Jane Wharton, 7th Baroness Wharton (1706–61) (became sole heir 1739; abeyant on her death);

• Charles Theodore Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 8th Baron (1876–1934) (abeyance terminated 1916);

• Charles John Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 9th Baron (1908–69);

• Elisabeth Dorothy Kemeys-Tynte, 10th Baroness (1906–74) (abeyant on her death);

• Myrtle Olive Felix Robertson, 11th Baroness (1934–2000) (abeyance terminated 1990);

• Myles Christopher David Robertson, 12th Baron.

The heir presumptive is the Hon Meghan Robertson (b 2006).

Former seat ~ Winchendon Manor, Buckinghamshire.

First published in September, 2017.  Wharton arms courtesy of European Heraldry.