Mount Congreve House
Mount Congreve House ( Irish Teach Bhruachaille ) is a country house in the townland Mountcongreve ( Bruachaill ) near the village Kilmeadan , about 7 km west of the city of Waterford in Ireland's County Waterford . The architect of the 18th century Georgian house was John Roberts of Waterford, who later designed many of Waterford's public buildings, including the two cathedrals.
Background and story
The Congreve family came from Staffordshire , where they had lived since the 14th century. The first family member to settle in the Waterford area was Reverend John Congreve (1654-1710). His grandson and heir, John Congreve , had Mount Congreve House built in 1760, years after he was High Sheriff for County Waterford.
The country house then remained the seat of the Congreve family for six consecutive generations until the death of Ambrose Congreve in 2011 at the age of 104. The owners of the estate since 1760 were successively:
- John Congreve married Mary Ussher in 1758 and had Mount Congreve House built in 1760.
- Their son, Ambrose Ussher Congreve (+ 1809) married Anne Jenkins.
- Their son, John Congreve (1801–1863) married Louisa Harriet Dillon, daughter of Luke Dillon, 2nd Baron Clonbrock .
- Their son, Ambrose Congreve III (1832-1901) married Alice Elizabeth Dillon, daughter of Robert Dillon, 3rd Baron Clonbrock .
- Their son, Major John Congreve (1872–1957) married Lady Helena Blanche Irene Ponsonby, daughter of Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough .
- Their son, Ambrose Christian Congreve (1907-2011) married Margaret Gholson Glasgow.
Ambrose Christian Congreve died in 2011, leaving the property to the Republic of Ireland as a trustee. The contents of the house, including the library collection, were publicly auctioned in May 2012 (by Christie's in London) and in July 2012 (by Mealy's in Waterford).
John Congreve had the Mount Congreve Library, an interesting and valuable collection of books, many of which bore unique book-owner's marks bearing the coat of arms of the Congreves, including the Usshers. The library had been cataloged by John Congreve's grandson and namesake in a catalog brought out in 1827.
Mount Congreve House is said to have been the last great house in Ireland to employ liveried servants. At the time of Griffith's Valuation in 1850, Mount Congreve House was valued at £ 68 10s.
Gardens
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The gardens of the property encompass 28 hectares of intensely planted, light forest and a 1.6 hectare enclosed garden. The entire collection consists of over 3000 different trees and shrubs, more than 2000 rhododendrons , 600 camellias , 300 cultivated maples , 600 conifers , 250 climbing plants and 1500 herbs. They are internationally known for their rare plant species and their plant breeding. Ambrose Congreve's horticultural achievements have been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II , who awarded him the Order of the British Empire , and Trinity College Dublin , which awarded him an honorary doctorate. Ambrose Congreve also won 13 gold medals for his gardens at the Chelsea Garden Show in London.
The gardens are open to the public every Thursday and Sunday.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Ambrose Ussher Congreve . In: The Peerage, A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe . Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- ↑ Lights go out in last 'Big House' . In: The Irish Times . July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved on May 24, 2019.
- ^ Julian C. Walton: Mount Congreve and the Congreve Family .
- ↑ a b Michael Parsons: Hidden treasures of great house revealed . In: The Irish Times . April 14, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- ↑ House: Mount Cosgreve . In: Landed Estates Database . National University of Ireland, Galway. May 18, 2011. Accessed May 24, 2019.
- ↑ Mount Congreve Nursery & Gardens in Waterford . Mount Congreve. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
Web links
Coordinates: 52 ° 14 '27.3 " N , 7 ° 13' 8.8" W.