Latest news with #UnitedIrishmen
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Castle offers rare chance to see inside in Heritage Week initiative
Altidore Castle, owned by Philip Emmet and his son Thomas, is set to offer two tours every day from August 16 to August 24. Built in Kilpedder in the 1730s by the Pearse family and most likely designed by Edward Lovett Pearse, Altidore Castle belonged to several owners and was briefly a tuberculosis sanatorium before being bought by the Emmet family in 1944. The living heritage of Altidore Castle comes from the house. but also the current family residing in the property. The Emmets, exiled from Ireland after Robert Emmet's 1803 rebellion, have lived in Altidore for four generations and each tour is carried out by a family member. Speaking about the tours, Philip said: 'The guided house tour comprises several rooms filled with artefacts from both sides of the family and finishes with the Emmet gallery, a collection from the family relating to the United Irishmen, Robert and Thomas Addis Emmet. The house is very much lived in and combines being a historic house while also a family home.' Talking about why they open their home for Heritage Week, Thomas added: 'As a member of Historic Houses of Ireland, it's so important to share our built heritage with the public, and Heritage Week is an ideal opportunity to do this. "We are especially excited about the Heritage Open Doors initiative, where houses usually closed to the public are open on the first weekend of National Heritage Week. "We are open for two house tours each day at 2pm and 4pm. Tours will cost €10 per person with a discounted rate of eight euros for students and children. As tours sell out very quickly and we have limited space, booking ahead is essential.' Taking part in Heritage Open Doors in Wicklow is Enniskerry's Knockmore House, which will be open on Sunday, August 17 from 2pm to 5pm. The Regency-style house was built around 1850, with gardens created by two sisters in the 1880's, and further developed by well-known garden writer Ruth Isabel Ross, who published a book about the garden in 1999. Since the present owners purchased the house in 2019, a major restoration of the property has taken place, and work on the gardens is now underway. There are lawns, borders, ponds, a vegetable garden, a wild garden, woodland and many large old trees. A guided tour of the house and gardens will begin at 2.30pm, followed by hot drinks and cake from 3.30pm. Entrance costs €5 in cash only, and children will go free. Bookings need to be made via Jacqueline Roberts at To book tickets to visit Altidore Castle, go to the Heritage Week website or Altidore Castle's Instagram and Facebook.
Irish Examiner
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Why we have a monument to the Duke of Wellington in Tipperary
At the highest point of the Grange Crag Loop in County Tipperary, walkers may be surprised to discover an odd-to-behold structure whose purpose appears to defy rational explanation. To uncover the story of why it was constructed, we must transport ourselves back to the end of the 18th century and a turbulent time in Irish history. Having survived centuries of rebellion and conflict, the Protestant Ascendancy were, at this time, feeling somewhat secure. Having enjoyed 80 years of relative peace, they now felt comfortable enough to assert themselves. Surfing a huge wave of popular enthusiasm and supported by the threat of violence if his demands were not met, Henry Grattan, leader of the Irish Patriot Party, secured an Independent Irish parliament in 1782. Kilcooley House One of his strongest supporters was William Barker of Kilcooley House, County Tipperary. A Whig (Liberal) MP, he also favoured the emancipation of Catholics from penal laws and some easements were immediately granted by the new legislature. This led to fears in Britain that allowing full voting rights for Catholics would create a hostile parliament in Ireland. Then came the French Revolution and the abolition of the hereditary aristocracy in France, with many of its members executed or forced to flee. Drawing upon the egalitarian ideas of revolutionary France, the radical United Irishmen soon espoused a similar idea: a republic where there would be no inherited privilege. The subsequent 1798 rebellion, which was supported by a French invasion of Ireland and had atrocities committed by both sides, shook the Irish aristocracy to its core. With an understandable human desire to keep their heads attached to their bodies, the ascendancy classes were now looking to Britain for safety. If this meant reestablishing a parliamentary union with Britain, it seemed a small price to pay. Forced to flee to England during the 1798 Rebellion, it is perhaps unsurprising that Sir William Barker changed his mind and voted for the perceived security afforded by an Act of Union with Britain. The Wellington Monument in Phoenix Park The fear remained, however, that Napoleon would invade Ireland and create a Catholic state for a Catholic people. Doubtless, a sigh of relief was emitted by the Protestant Ascendancy when 'The Little General' was defeated by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. Monuments to the Duke were built by the much-relieved Irish aristocracy in Dublin's Phoenix Park; in Trim, County Meath; and by Sir William Barker at Grange, County Tipperary. The Wellington Monument, Grange. Picture: John G O'Dwyer To access this Tipperary monument, start from the carpark at the entrance to the Grange Crag Loop, located about six kilometres south of Urlingford. Follow the woodland tracks to reach an incongruous-looking building that once served as the deep freeze for Kilcooley House. Blocks of ice were cut from frozen ponds and transported to what was known as the icehouse, where they were stacked between layers of straw to create a microclimate where food would be preserved. Next, continue to a three-way junction where the arrows lead right. Ascend to another junction, where a sharp left joins a forestry road that ascends for about a kilometre to an intersection where the way is right. View of magnificently carved doorway in south transept at Kilcooly Abbey, County Tipperary. /taken from Ancient Ireland: Exploring Irish Historic Monuments by Tarquin Blake and Fiona Reilly, published by The Collins Press, 2013 Soon after, a track on the left takes you steeply uphill to reach the aforementioned Wellington Monument. Such edifices are generally referred to as follies, but mostly they served a purpose. Not only does this monument commemorate the Duke of Wellington, it also provides a focal point to draw people to a high point where they would be impressed by fine views of the Kilcooley Estate and the nearby Cistercian monastery. A daughter house of Holycross Abbey, it was built on land granted by Donal Mór O'Brien, the last king of Munster but was later dissolved following the English Reformation. Its extensive estates then passed to the Earls of Ormonde until purchased later by the Barker family. Nearby, but almost obscured among woodlands, the great house at Kilcooley was first built in the late 18th century. Now in a sad state of decay, the present-day Palladian mansion dates from 1843 and was constructed after a great fire in 1839 destroyed the original structure. This conflagration began when a butler, who had been dismissed from his employment by the then-owner of Kilcooley, William Barker Ponsonby, set one of the chimneys alight — so the old saying "always keep the butler onside" seems appropriate here. Walkers on Grange Crag Loop. Picture: John G O'Dwyer Soon, the views are obscured when you enter mature broadleaf woodland and swing right to descend by a stream and exit onto a track. Continue (left) following green and purple arrows along the woodland track for almost one kilometre. Follow the walking arrows sharply right and then take the next left, which allows you re-join your outward route after an outing of about two hours. Afterwards, as an added treat, quench your thirst in the old-world charm of Hogan's pub, Grange village.
Extra.ie
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Sinn Féin demand explanation as portrait of President is removed
Sinn Féin called on the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Tracy Kelly, to explain the decision to remove a portrait of President Michael D Higgins from Belfast City Hall. Following a social media post by Ms Kelly, Sinn Féin councillors were quick to notice that a portrait of Mr Higgins had been removed from a reception parlour in the building. Sinn Féin has now called on Ms Kelly to explain the decision to remove the portrait. Lord Mayor of Belfast Tracy Kelly. Pic: Belfast City Council The portrait had been placed in the reception room by Sinn Féin's Ryan Murphy when he was lord mayor. The picture was put up after Mr Murphy received a portrait of King Charles and decided to place the two side by side. This was then followed by a formal event to mark the occasion. The portrait's disappearance prompted Mr Murphy to question its whereabouts in a council meeting on Tuesday. Belfast City Council confirmed that the portrait, despite no longer being on display, is being safely stored at City Hall, 'at the request of the current lord mayor'. President Michael D Higgins. Pic: Joe Giddens –In a council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Murphy praised Ms Kelly on her work so far as the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) first female Lord Mayor of Belfast before raising concerns surrounding the removed portrait. In a transcript of the meeting released by the BBC, Mr Murphy said: 'When our representatives have been in that position of being the mayor, there were certain things that we never took off the walls. There were certain things we felt were off limits.' The council defended the decision, saying decoration of the City Hall was 'a matter for each individual lord mayor throughout their term in office. Former Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy. Pic: Belfast City Council Mr Murphy said there was 'no rationale behind the removal of this portrait', asking, 'What kind of message does it send out for the people in this city who hold the President of Ireland in high regard?' The DUP said that 'decoration of the lord mayor's parlour is not yet complete' and that 'there will be further artefacts to be added in the next few weeks'. Mr Murphy described the initial placement of the portrait as a symbolic means of representing the many communities of Belfast, saying, 'a large section of the community in Belfast have a deep respect for Uachtarán na hÉireann and that was reflected in the presence of the portrait in City Hall'. He told 'The mayor of Belfast has a responsibility to promote respect and tolerance for all traditions in our city.' This isn't the first time controversy has arisen surrounding the placement of portraits in Belfast City Hall. In 2011, Sinn Féin lord mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile upset unionists after removing pictures of the Queen Mother and Prince Philip from the reception parlour. He replaced them with the 1916 Proclamation and a portrait of the United Irishmen, sparking outrage from DUP councillors at the time. Last October, there was controversy after the PSNI opened an investigation into damage caused to a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Wallace Browne at Belfast City Hall. The PSNI would later declare it a hate crime. A Sinn Féin employee from Stormont later came forward to the party's chief whip, admitting to causing the damage and later tendering their resignation.
The Journal
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Portrait of Michael D Higgins removed from office of DUP lord mayor of Belfast
THE LORD MAYOR of Belfast was unable to offer an explanation when she was quizzed on the whereabouts of a portrait of President Michael D Higgins. For over a year, portraits of Britain's King Charles and President Higgins have sat side by side on a wall in the lord mayor's parlour in Belfast City Hall. Former lord mayor and Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Murphy pictured last year in the parlour, with both portraits visible in the background Ryan Murphy Ryan Murphy The parlour is a formal room on the first floor of Belfast City Hall and is used for meetings, receptions and special occasions. Last week, the current lord mayor and DUP councillor Tracy Kelly posted a picture to social media of her hosting members of 'Orangefest' in the parlour. However, only the portrait of Charles was visible and the portrait of President Higgins was removed. Tracy Kelly with members of 'Orangefest' in the lord mayor's parlour Tracy Kelly Tracy Kelly Kelly became lord mayor of Belfast last month. In doing so, she became the eight woman to hold the role and the first woman from the DUP to be elected to the office. At a Belfast City Council meeting last night, former lord mayor of Belfast and Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Murphy praised Kelly for her work in the role so far. 'You've been out in all four corners of the city,' said Murphy. Advertisement He also praised Kelly for taking part in Refugee Week and remarked that this was 'really welcome'. However, he added that the lord mayor has to 'represent' everyone and that this is done 'by your deeds when you're out in the city, but also in terms of the mayor's office'. He said people need to 'feel part' of the mayor's office and that this is 'even done through the stuff that was on the walls'. 'When our representatives have been in that position, there were certain things that we never took off walls, certain things that we felt were off limits,' said Murphy. 'When we were offered the royal portrait of the British King Charles [In March 2024], we accepted it and we put it up alongside Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins, and we marked it with a small event in the mayor's office. 'It's concerning that we've seen in recent weeks that that portrait is no longer there. 'Where is that portrait and what kind of message does it send out for the people in this city who hold the President of Ireland in high regard.' However, no explanation was forthcoming of what had happened to the portrait, with Kelly responding: 'Thank you, that's being noted.' A DUP spokesperson told The Journal that the 'decoration of the lord mayor's parlour is not yet complete' and that 'further artefacts' will be added 'in the next few weeks'. It is not the first time there has been controversy over portraits in the lord mayor's parlour. In 2011, then Sinn Fein lord mayor of Belfast Niall Ó Donnghaile removed portraits of then Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth. These were replaced with the 1916 proclamation and a portrait of the United Irishmen. And last October, the PSNI investigated damage caused to a portrait of former DUP Lord Mayor Wallace Browne at Belfast City Hall . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Belfast Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Row at Belfast City Hall after Irish president's portrait removed from lord mayor's parlour
The new Lord Mayor of Belfast has refused to explain why a portrait of the Irish president Michael D Higgins has disappeared from the reception room at City Hall. The lord mayor's parlour, used by Tracy Kelly, previously featured both portraits of King Charles and the Irish head of state side by side. But at a council meeting, Sinn Fein said the portrait is no longer there. The party questioned the lord mayor as to where the item has gone. Other councillors have also noticed the missing portrait, the BBC reported. Last week, on June 26, Ms Kelly posted images of her meeting with Orange Order representatives, teenage mothers and the US consulate. Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Murphy asked the lord mayor about the absence of Mr Higgins' portrait. 'When our representatives have been in that position of being the mayor, there were certain things that we never took off the walls,' he said. 'There were certain things we felt were off limits. "And so, when we were offered the royal portrait of the British King Charles [in March 2024], we accepted it, and we put it up. "And we put it up alongside Uachtarán na hÉireann [President of Ireland] Michael D Higgins, and we marked it with a small event in the mayor's office. "It's concerning that we have seen in recent weeks that that portrait is no longer there, and we would just ask where is that portrait? 'And what kind of message does it send out to people in this city who hold the president of Ireland in high regard?" The lord mayor thanked Mr Murphy for bringing up his concerns, and said the issue was noted. However, she refused to comment further. News Catchup - July 1st 2025 When questioned about the issue, a council spokesperson said it was a matter for Mrs Kelly. Meanwhile, a DUP spokesperson stated that the decoration of the lord mayor's office 'is not yet complete'. 'There will be further artefacts to be added in the next few weeks,' they said. It is not the first time there has been controversy over the lord mayor's parlour. In 2011 then Sinn Fein mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile removed images of then Prince Charles and the Queen Mother. They were replaced with the 1916 proclamation and a portrait of the United Irishmen.
