The Grattan Connection

The Grattan connection with the Queen's County began during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I when Edward Brereton got a grant of the castle of Loghlyoge and its lands in 1562. Edward's grandfather had settled in Ireland during the reign of Henry VIII. The family held their estates until the reign of King James II when they lost them on account of their support for the Jacobite cause.

Edward Brereton's 6th son was Arthur Brereton. In 1613 Arthur was elected second M.P. for the newly formed borough of Ballinakill in the Queen's County and in 1637 he became commander in chief of the army in the Queen's County. His death is not recorded.

Edward had one son, Henry, who was ordained a priest in the Established Church (Church of Ireland) and spent some time as Vicar of Santry and Rector of Clontarf in Co. Dublin before becoming rector of Burns and Kilcolmanblane, later known as the parish of Maryborough. He died in 168 and left four daughters. Grissel, the second of them married the Rev. Patrick Grattan D.D. Senior Fellow of Trinity College Dublin who died in 1707. They had one son, Henry, who settled in Co. Cavan. His son was James Grattan M.P. and later Recorder (Judge) for Dublin. His son was the Rgt Hon. Henry Grattan, statesman, orator and leader of the Patriot Parliament.

Sir John Tydd of Lamberton Park, Maryborough, who was for a time M.P. for both the Boroughs of Maryborough and Ballinakill, persuaded Admiral Philip Cosby of Stradbally to sell his estate in Vicarstown in Queen's county to the Irish Parliament. Parliament, after it purchased the Estate, granted it to Henry Grattan. It was Henry Grattan's last wish, when he died in London that he be buried in Moyanna Churchyard on his Queen's County estate. Instead, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Henry Grattan built on the estate a house which he called Dunrally Fort. It is now in ruin.

His eldest son James who had been born in 1787, inherited his Queen's County property, joined the army, served in Spain and Portugal with the Duke of Wellington, was elected Whit (Liberal) M.P. for Wicklow in 1821, later joined Daniel O'Connell's repeal party and lost his seat in 1841. James gave £4,000 toward the building of the old County Hospital and a plaque and bust was erected inside the door to his memory. Only the plaque remains. He died in Vicarstown on December 21st 1854. He never married and the Estate passed to his niece Pauline. His brother Henry Grattan jnr was Whit. M.P., for Dublin 1826 to 1832 and Repeal ME for Co. Meath from 1832 until 1852.

Pauline inherited the Vicarstown estate. She married Thomas Bellew M.P. for Galway and 2nd son of Sir Michael Dillon Bellew first Baronet of Mount Bellew Co. Galway. He assumed by Royal Licence the surname and Arms of Grattan and became Thomas Grattan Bellew. His wife Pauline built Grattan Lodge. She gave the site of the Catholic Church and National School and contributed to the cost. Thomas Grattan Bellew died on 24th July 1863 and his wife Pauline died 117th July 1908. They left issue Henry Christopher Grattan-Bellew who succeeded his uncle. The Rev. Fr. Sir Christopher Bellew, 2nd Baronet (a Catholic Priest), as 3rd Baronet in 1867.

Sir Henry married, in 1885, Lady Sophia Forbes, daughter of the 7th Earl of Granard and they left a large family. Sir Henry died 20th January 1942 and was succeeded by his son Charles Christopher as 4th Baronet. He died in November 1948 and was succeeded by his son Henry Christopher 5th Baronet. It seems the Grattan Bellew Estate was sold by Henry Grattan Bellew some time before his death. However, the link with Laois continues as Mary another daughter of Henry Grattan mr married Edmond Dease, M.P. for Queen's Co 1869-1880, of Rath House, Ballybrittas and their son, Major Edmond Dease, married Mabel More O'Farrell of Ballynacastle, Co Kildare. Their daughter Marion Dease married William Bland of Blandsford, Ballyroan and their sons were John Bland and present owner of Blandsford House, and Mr Rory Bland, who sold Rath House recently.

The Grattans Esmonds of Wexford are descended from Louisa another daughter of Henry Grattan Jnr. Henry Grattan the great Patriot also lived for a while at Caffesborough House, Abbeyleix. The Aqueduct, which was built in 1790 to carry the Grand Canal over the Derryvarragh River is called the Grattan Aquaduct. Dunrally Bridge over the Barrow, near the Fort of Dunrally was built by James Grattan in 1820. His daughter, Pauline, built Grattan Lodge in 1882. The Grattan coat of arms in on the archway which leads into Moyanna Cemetery.

Courtesy: FRANK MEEHAN
"MP's of The Queen's County"

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