Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Co Dublin 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 36. “(Kennedy-Skipton/IFR; Lawrence, Bt, of Lucknow/PB; Maude, sub Hawarden, B/PB) A large three storey C18 block attached to a medieval tower with Georgian Gothic windows and battlements. Drawing room ceiling of Adamesque plasterwork. Belgard was originally a seat of a branch of the Talbot family, from whom it passed by inheritance to a branch of the Dillon family at the end of C17. In 1788 it was leased to Francis Cruise, whose family still occupied it 1814. Later in C19 it was bought by Dr Evory Kennedy, president of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; it subsequently passed to his grandson, Sir Henry Lawrence, 2^nd Bt (who was also the grandson of the great Sir Henry Lawrence, founder of British rule in the Punjab and defender of Lucknow), whose widow sold it in 1910 to A.F. Maude. Sold ca 1962 by Mr Hugh Maude.” 

featured in Georgian Mansions in Ireland with some account of the evolution of Georgian Architecture and Decoration by Thomas U. Sadleir and Page L. Dickinson. Dublin University Press, 1915. 

“The mansion of Belgard is in the parish of Clondalkin, Co Dublin, and lies about six miles to the south of the capital. It consists, as appears from Pr. R.C. Orpen’s drawing, of a tall tower, with a large square house adjoining. Save for the Georgian doorway, it betrays externally no distinct form of architecture, though the interior contains several handsomely decorated rooms, one of which was illustrated in the fifth volume of the Georgian Society’s publications. We reproduce the mantel in the drawing room.  

The original castle which stood here was the property of the Talbots, who were of the same stock as the ancient family of Talbot in Malahide. It is first mentioned towards the close of the fifteenth century, beign then the seat of Robert Talbot, who was so prominent a champion of the house of Ormond in their endless quarrels with the Fitzgeralds, that the latter declared “that he kept a calendar of all their doings, and stirred the coals that incensed brother against brother.” At this time Belgard was one of the principal castles in the county of Dublin, and doubtless covered a considerable area. Robert Talbot died in 1523, and this estate was enjoyed in succession by his son, grandson and great-grandson. The last-mentioned was Gilbert Talbot, who inherited on his father’s decease in 1580. 

During the rising instigated by Viscount Baltinglass, the forces of the Crown charged with its suppression, under the Earl of Kildare and Sir Henry Harrington, assembled at Belgard before setting out to attack the enemy in the neighbourhood of Rathmore. Gilbert Talbot died in 1626, being succeeded by his second son Adam. We have no particulars of the latter’s residence here, but he was a man of position in the country, and though he did not engage in the Rebellion, it is clear that his sympathies were on the side of the Confederates. His son John Talbot, of Belgard, was actively engaged on behalf of that party, but we have no particulars of his exploits save that he shot a man at Chapelizod, for which he narrowly escaped being hanged on the establishment of Cromwell’s rule. He wisely left the country, and is said to have subsequently distinguished himself during the war in Flanders. The castle was next occupied by Adam Loftus, grandson of Sir Dudley Loftus, of Rathfarnham, who settled here on his marriage, and as showing the them accommodation we may mention that he kept five servants. 

At the Restoration the rightful owner, Lieutenant John Talbot, “for reason known unto the King in an especial manner meriting his grace and favour” was restored to the inheritance. [see notes on Belgard Castle in the Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, vol. v, pg. 12]. Under James II he became a Colonel in Tyrconnell’s Horse, and sat as M.P. for Newcastle Lyons in the Parliament of 1689. He fought for the Jacobites during the Revolution, but was, however, after the fall of Limerick, being specially included in the terms of capitulation, permitted to take up his residence at Belgard, where he was living in 1693, when he gave security for loyal behaviour. He died in 10^th Sept 1697, aged 73, leaving by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Talbot, of Templeogue, three daughters and co-heiresses: Margaret, wife of Sir Peter Bath, second Bart., of Athcarne, Co Meath, who died without issue in 1686; Catherine, who married in 1694 Colonel Thomas Dillon; and Maryanne, who married in 1696 Christopher Dillon, of Lungmore, Co Mayo, a younger brother of her sister’s husband. 

Prior to his death in 1721, Colonel Dillon occupied the house in right of his wife. His widow also lived here, apparently with her sister, Lady Bath, who in her will, dated 2^nd June 1732, is described as “of Belgert, Co Dublin.” [see The Complete Baronetage, by G.E.C., iv, 203]. AT a later period Henry Dillon, the Colonel’s eldest son, who married Jane, daughter of Michael Moore, of Drogheda, appears as the owner. He lived here for many years, and is stated to have been a man of great wealth, known far and wide for his charity, hospitality, and lavish expenditure. On his death in 1772 his eldest son Thomas inherited, by dying childless 14 years later the next brother, John, an officer in the Austrian service, succeeded. The existing house was certainly standing prior to this time, for it is mentioned by Austin Cooper, the antiquary, but the ornament is apparently rather later. John Dillon, who removed to London about 1796, was the last representative of the family, and on his death, which occurred at Brompton, in May 1800, at the age of 90, the property passed to the descendants of his sister, Catherine, wife of Dominick Trant. But at this time the actual occupier was a Mr. Francis Cruise, who had come to reside in 1788, on obtaining a lease for 99 years from John Dillon. The Cruise family remained in possession till 1853, when the interest in the house was acquired by Dr. Evory Kennedy, one of the leading physicians in Dublin, who by purchases in the Landed Estates Court subsequently became absolute owner. He died in 1886, and taking advantage of an option expressed in his will, the residential portion of the Belgard estate was then purchased by his grandson, Sir Henry Hayes Lawrence, Bart., from whose representatives it was lately acquired by Captain Anthony Maude, the present owner.” 

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