91福利社

YOUR RESPONSES

Lorna Baker - July '08
My name is Lorna Baker, nee Graham, and my Mother was Agnes Mae Graham, nee Lennon, from Larne. I remember when I was a small child my Mother took me to Kilwaughter Castle to visit her Aunt Gladys who lived on the farm and I believe she and her husband owned the castle at the time. I had a cousin Sammy who used to play hide and seek with in the castle. We would tell each other spooky stories to try to frighten each other, particularly about the White Lady of Kilwaughter. I have been to the graveyard in the grounds too, where my Mother told me many of my own ancesters were buried. I believe the farm and castle grounds were diveded when Aunt Gladys passed away and I have no idea of where any of my cousins are today, particulary my cousin Sammy. I am now 45 years old, so they may be long gone now as I was by far the youngest of them all.

Timm Cooke - June '08

Ted Cooke could you please contact Bob Cooke at Kukiatdododotcomdotau

From what you write its definite that you are related

Timm Cooke - June '08
Hello long lost Cousin in Larne (Ivan) thanx for taking the opportunity to take some interest in our great family we have burried in Kilwaughter Grave yard as to my email it doesnot exit as i am limited as i use the local public library as to pops brothers email (Uncle Bob) his email is kuki at dodo dot com. He would be more than pleased to give you some back ground on there family that were around the late kilwaughter Castle and its great great great grandparents anyway cous will drop you an email soon as the kitchen quitens down hopefully soon cheers. Timm

Maureen Ferry - May '08
I understand that an ancestor of mine from Kilwaughter married into the Agnew family in the 19th Century. His name was Ogilvy.
My mother and grandparents visited the Castle in 1921.
I am currently looking for information about my family history - specifically Ogilvie , Walker and Nelson families.
I am hoping to visit the district in 2009.

Robert Cooke - May '08
My name is Robert Cooke and I am the Great Great Grandson of John Cooke and Jane - nee Glover. Would Ted Cooke email me please or write. More than anything I would love to return to Kilwaughter Castle and help restore it. I am a retired bricklayer, so Mr Ferguson, the offer still goes. My email is kukiatdododotcom.au.
I was born in Larne and now live in Australia. All you people out there, get into it and show us you care. Help restore this relic of our ancestors. I hope to hear from somebody. All the best, Robert Cooke.

Ted Cooke -February '08
I have the Cooke family tree from John Cooke who was my great great grandfather. he was bequethed 拢10 in Squire Agnews will in 1851.
If anyone wants more info they can contact me at ted at cooke4800 dot fsnet.co.uk.
from reading the above it looks like I have a lot of relations.
i currently live about 15 miles from Kilwaughter castle

I have the complete family tree of John Cooke who was my great great grandfather. If you are interested please contact me.

A special notice from Anne Ferguson, who along with her father, owns Kilwaughter Castle:

As the daughter of the owner of Kilwaughter Castle, my father and I note with interest some of the recent comments on the YPAM article. There appears to be a good deal of local and overseas interest, and we are keen to follow up on setting up an historical society for the castle. We would like to contact Dr S C Lanier in particular (comments posted Feb 07), and any others.

Contact Anne directly at blackmoreanneathotmaildotcom

Marc Agnew - Jan '08
My family come from all around this area from what I am told. Our name was Ognimh which I believe to be the Irish for Agnew. I believe I am decended from a one Fear Flatha Ognimh of Cairncastle at Ballygally Head, who was a bard, poet, adviser to possibly the O'Neill family. My grandmother talked about a connection with Killwauter Castle and that they were given land there, I myself show traits of poetry and I would be greatful if anyone could give me any information regarding the Ognimh connection. Thank you.

Ivan Cooke - Carrickfergus - Jan '08
Tim, it's Ivan Cooke here a grandson of Norman. We met in Churchill many years ago when my Dad, your cousin (Robert) was living in Traralgon. We came to visist your Dad's house and you all held a BBQ for us. I remember your Dad, bringing out the Family Tree then, but being 12 it never really interested me. I was in work and I thought I would google Cooke family tree Larne and came across this. If you want and I have the time, I could maybe help to assist you. Feel free to e-mail me at ico2fathotmaildotcom

Thomas Norrell - Dec '07
On reading the above article relating to "the Countess" I feel I might perhaps be permitted to correct a slight discrepency in the information provided. Squire William Agnew's niece, Maria Augusta Simon (daughter of Thomas Collins Simon) married Count Ugo Balzani of Rome, Italy (son of Andrea Balzani) on 24th April 1878 under a Marriage Settlement in the Parish of Kensington. On the death of Squire Agnew (murdered and buried in Paris, January 1891), his "Ballyfatten" part of his estate (near Strabane, Co. Tyrone) was bequeathed to his friend John Hay Lambert. All the rest and remainder of his estate was bequeathed to the appointed Trustees of the Marriage Settlement for the sole and seperate use and benefit of his neice, Maria Augusta Balzani absolutely, but subject to various payments and legacies etc. On the death of the Count and Countess Balzani, and by virtue of the Settlement, their only children of the marriage, namely Gwendoline Valensin and Nora Balzani bec!
ame absolutely entitled to all the real, freehold and leasehold property then remaining of the Kilwaughter Estate, in equal shares. The Trustees of the Settlement granted and released the said property to them. Gwendoline Valensin, of Florence, Italy - a widow, died on 15th January 1957 intestate, leaving Georgia Valensin, her daughter and next-of-kin. Georgia Valensin, of Naples, Italy, died on 24th November 1969, intestate, leaving her aunt, Nora Balzani, spinster of Rome, Italy, one of the next-of-kin and the person entitled to administer her estate. Nora Balzani died on 17th November 1975 and at this date was seized in fee-simple of all the property then comprising the Kilwaughter Estate. In 1982, the then remaining property was sold to Frank Ferguson under the authority of the Attorney lawfully appointed of Bianca Balzani, the next of kin and person entitled to administer her estate. I hope these details will be found of interest to anyone researching the!
Kilwaughter Estate, which at one time was the largest private!
estate
in Ireland. It is also interesting to note that when Squire Agnew granted the land for the present Kilwaughter Cemetery on the Deerpark Road, it was for the purpose of burying "the inhabitants of the Kilwaughter Estate", not just the inhabitants of Kilwaughter itself. This is incredible, since the estate extended as far as Kells near Ballymena, and even touched the outskirts of Strabane. Even today, Ballygally Castle, Carndhu (formerly Sir Thomas & Lady Edith Dixon Hospital) and Carnfunnock Country Park are all still subject to a rent payable to the Kilwaughter Estate.

Tim Cooke - Oct '07
I read with the excitement everyone shows of such a lovely place.

I have just started studying my family tree and thus Kilwughter Castle comes up of the employment of my Grt Grt Grt Grandparents saying they were servants along with undertakers, coach drivers and cook's.As being born in Australia we are limited to geneology resources here. As I am asking if anyone may know of the census advailable are of exstint of those of the emolyees to kilwaughter castle and if so were there any Andrew or John Cook'es registerd as i am willing to re'emburse cost also... I have gone and paid through PRONI with no luck along with UHF as to nothing if by chance someone that is of some help please leave your email and i will be pleased to drop you a line soon as i can as being a chef i have limited time of but your feed back is of important and i will temp to answer all soon ASAP...Thankyou Aussietimm

Tom Agnew - Apr '07
A lot of people out there, searching their genealogy that are related to the Agnews seem to want to find a connection to the Agnews of Kilwaughter castle. But there was another older Irish family, OGnimh that had been in Antrim since 14 century.That owned a lot land in Kilwaughter, they eventually became Anglocized in name and religion, in some cases.

Sheila O'Brien - Apr '07
My ancestor MCNEILL erected by William Mcneill in memory of his father Andrew Mcneill who died 8 May 1851, etc. is said to be in the castle burial grounds. Thinking of making a trip to Ireland in Spring and curious to gather info of sites to see.
Thank you,
Sheila O'Brien
South Carolina

Bob Cooke - Mar '07
Dear Mr Joe Ross
Your questions in relation to Cooke ancestors can be readdressed at my snail address. (Available when you email the YPAM team and request it). PS Give me some idea what your looking for and a brief history on yourself as my family were of employees to the late Sq William Agnew of the late Kilwaughter castle

Suzanne - Feb '07
I live beside Kilwaughter castle at this moment in time as the house on the demesne was built many years ago by my ancestors. I would just like to say if the government and people on this website are so interested in the grounds then why have they not treasured the castle instead of letting it get into the state that it is in today!! Every year there is pieces of the castle falling away.

Lynden- Feb '07
I have the Last Will and Testament of James Agnew of Larne, dated "fibby" 1783. It could possibly be a draft or the original.I'm not sure. I am not a descendant of the Agnews of Kilwaughter and Larne, but I am VERY interested in the family!

Diane Glasgow Detwiler - Feb '07
I don't think I have a family connection to the castle, but I'm interested inany information on James & Mary Glasgow and their children who left Kilwaughter Parish for America in 1770. They were both born in Kilwaughter Parish in 1734 and 1738 respectively. I'm curious to find out why they would bring a family including very small children on a long sea journey to a land on the brink of war. One of the older children actually fought in the American Revolution. The family settled in Newberry County, South Carolina, USA. I'm tracing my paternal family line and would appreciate any information on the Glasgow family who once lived in Kilwaughter Parish. I hope I can visit there someday. I've seen many photos and it's so beautiful! Thank you.

Dr S.C.Lanier - Feb '07
In reply to Mr Ferguson and the issue of illegal quarrying on the Kilwaughter Castle demesne:

You might consider getting in touch with your MEP to represent this problem to the European parliament.
As it is a local heritage issue which will impact in a detrimental manner both upon the economic and ecological welfare of the district, it should be possible to make a good legal case against it.

In reply to Mr Ferguson and the possibility of a Kilwaughter Historical and Heritage Society:

We live just above the Kilwaughter Demesne on the upper Drumnadonaghy Road and have long been interested in both the history and the future fate of the castle. My partner is a keen amateur historian and I am a cultural anthropologist. We would be very interested in helping in any way we can to create and maintain such a society. Let us know if you wish to take this suggestion further.

Diane Glasgow Detwiler - January 2007
I don't think I have a family connection to the castle, but I'm interested in any information on James & Mary Glasgow and their children who left Kilwaughter Parish for America in 1770. They were both born in Kilwaughter Parish in 1734 and 1738 respectively. I'm curious to find out why they would bring a family including very small children on a long sea journey to a land on the brink of war. One of the older children actually fought in the American Revolution. The family settled in Newberry County, South Carolina, USA. I'm tracing my paternal family line and would appreciate any information on the Glasgow family who once lived in Kilwaughter Parish. I hope I can visit there someday. I've seen many photos and it's so beautiful! Thank you.

Bill Walker B Company - Nov '06
I had an E Mail this year 2006 from the Daughter of the owners of the castle today.
I am a remmaining member of the 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion of WW11 which billitted in the Castle in 1944-45.
We still holdsbut for the past three years only 8 memers attended.

Nancy Jewel - Nov '06
I am also a descendant of the Agnews of Kilwaughter castle fame.
My ancestor that connects to this group of people has no first name only her last name, as the wife of Hugh Giffen ,who was of Carnmoney, Antrim,Ireland. I figure she wa s born about 1718 or before possibly. She could be the sibling or daughter of James? I would like to know if anyone has this connection or knows of it to contact me at histreebuff @ yahoo .com, thank you. Note: Miss agnew of my ancestry was known supposedly to be od donegore near Templepatrick but her first name is not known..does anyone know the genealogy of the said James Agnew or his children or parents that would help me: in this matter.

Dawn Marshall (Agnew descendant) - Oct '06
My great great grandfather was James Agnew. His wife was I do not know if he had any siblings and if they were connected to the castle. He started Ashfield dairies in 1878 near Strandtown in East belfast. The site is now Ashfield schools. I have not heard of any castle, but like many others, found a picture of it among my family pictures.

Christopher Peake - Oct '06
Although I live nowhere near Kilwaughter and probably have no connection with the area (some of my Alexander ancestors came from the Ballyclare / Ballyeaston locality) I like Frank Ferguson's idea of establishing a Kilwaughter Historical and Heritage Society. Have any moves been made in this direction? Would it be possible to include a Family History section in the Society? I know there is a Larne Branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society.

I looked at the NI Libraries catalogue ... there's a mention of a photograph of the Castle but little else. It surprises me that a local author has not written about the history of the affected families.
I agree with Frank .. it would make a great historical novel based on fact. A Radio and TV Series with a DVD might be an idea. I gather there's a good demand for DVD's about places in Northern Ireland in America, Australia and Canada.

Frank Ferguson - Oct '06
As owner of Kilwaughter Estate I would welcome any proposals to rehabilitate and highlight this magnificent record of the past History in this County Antrim area which is linked with America, Canada , Australia and generally Globally.

This is one of the few remaining Castles in Ireland designed by Nash of Buckingham Palace fame.

LIMESTONE EXTRACTION
The Rights to Limestone in 16 Townlands, which does not include the Townland of Demesne in which the Castle is located, were reserved to Kilwaughter Estate and not sold with the Mineral Rights in 1907 to the Northern Ireland Government when Lord Antrin accepted 拢907 for the Mineral Rights of the area, Lord Antrin claimed the Rights to Limestone in 1859 and a legal wrangle ensued in Dublin with the result that Lord Antrim's claim was 'stopped and their Rights to Limestone remained with Kilwaughter Castle for that and all future time.'

The lease to the extraction of Limestone acquired by Kilwaughter Chemical Chemical Company has expired and never renewed by the rightful owners Kilwaughter Estate.

This lease permitted only the sale of Lime nurnt in the leased kilns in Rorysglen and in no other form . This covenant was violated by Kilwaughter Chemical Company and they abandoned the burning of lime in the leased kilns and sold only ground limestone.

The Kilns and the leased quarrying area and properties were not returned to Kilwaughter Castle on expiry .

The Kilwaughter Chemicals Company illegally claimed ownership to property and evicted existing tenants.

There is a proposal by Kilwaughter Chemical Company to divert the Right of Way through the Demesne Townland and this will cause further upset to the vista from the Castle.

Kilwaughter Limestone Company has no rights whatsoever to quarry within the Demesne Townland.

This company now wants to extend their quarrying operations into the Demesne Townlands without the permission of Kilwaughter Estate .This quarrying will extend up to the Right of Way , the entrance to the Castle and this is dangerous for approaching traffic as there will be a vertical drop of 140 feet on one side.

Further the proximity to the Castle will upset the tranquility from continuous blasting and the structures of the building will be in jeopardy . Already one wall has collapsed presumable from the effect of blasting.

The Government Authorities in Northern Ireland are determined to allow this Company to continue their irregularities and illegalities and the Authority is fractionated between various Departments although they claim that Joined Up Government is in place this is not the case and they propose to approve Planning Permission with each Department disclaiming responsibility.

It is to be noted that the whole of the Antrin Basalt Plateau is underlain with the Limestone ( Cretaceous Chalk ) and there are many other more suitable areas not causing such damage and there can be no claim that this quarrying operation is vital to the Economy of Northern Ireland


HERITAGE
A restored Castle with full Heritage and Museum facilities would be a great tourist asset for the area and would give the relatives of the many families associated with Kilwaughter a s feeling of bondage to their roots.

The establishment of a Kilwaughter Historical and Heritage Society should be encouraged and the history of the affected Families would make a novel much more effective than ' Gone with the Wind' and a Radio and TV Series could highlight the many excellent attributes of the area and perhaps expose some of the rascality associated at all levels in this most interesting but authentic saga.

I have a lot of old maps ,records, leases legal documents etc which should be categorized and circulated amongst interested parties

It could be literally Your Place and Mine.

Glen Brown - Sep '06
I saw the castle in August 2006.
The walls are still in viewable condition. I was told that it could be a valuable tourist attraction if developed as such with the right foresight.
A much more impressive building than Olderfleet Castle (Keep) ruin on the Curran Point, Larne.
Perhaps the good people in County Antrim and it's current owner could apply for grants to retain this building and possibly restore to it's former glory for the benefit of owner, the locals and tourists before it's too late.

Andrew Connor - June '06
My great-great grandmother was Sarah Agnew married to William Martin. Kilwaughter Castle is said to be the family estate, but I really have no further information on her ancestors. I visited the castle back in the mid 90's and would be happy to hear from anyone with information on the Agnew family tree.

Keith Binney - March '06
Penny Underwood, you will find a short bio of John Galt Smith (1794-1847) in a new hardcover book Horsemen of the First Frontier (1788-1900) Please visit www.horsemenofthefirstfrontier.info for details and click on Indexes. The book has also been scanned on Google Book Search and a search of keywords will enable sample pages of interest to be viewed.

Joseph (Joe) Ross - Feb '06
My Paternal Grandmother was called Janet Cooke before she married James Henry Ross, she or some of her family were apparently employed at the Castle, it is thought that her Father may have been a gardener or grounds man there. I would be delighted to have any information which may confirm the above.

Denese Jamison - Jan '06
My dad was a milk boy in kilwaughter castle in 1939 -1940 before he was called up in 1941 to the RAF. He could remember the Balzine family. Years later i can remember going to the castle and all we seen was sheeps guts and beer tins. I would be grateful for someone filling in the gaps. Also as a child Steven Jenkins and I followed the escape route (that is the tunnel down to Dessie Boyds ground) can anyone help me with my memories? I would be very grateful to anyone who could add to this as my dad is dead 16 yrs and I can't ask him.

Jane Naylor - Dec '05
I am an amateur geneologist trying to piece together my family tree. I have got as far back as my Great Great Grandmother who appears as Ann Wilkinson on the 1871 census, living in Dalton in Furness, Cumbria: however her place of birth is registered as Kilwaughter, Co. Antrim. My Great Aunt (Ann Wilkinson's Grandaughter) had a picture postcard of Kilwaughter Castle amongst her papers and as a child I remember her telling me a strange and dramatic story of an escape from Kilwaughter "in fear of their lives". I can not remember who escaped, what relation they were to my family or the reason for such dramatic events and there are no living relatives who can help me. I do however remember a name, Agnew. My Great Aunt was a woman of practical good sense, well educated and not prone to romanticism! I would like to be able to authenticate and research the story she tried to tell me. Is there anyone who could help in Larne?

Penny Underwood - Sept '05
Hello! I am a great grandaughter to John Galt Smith who is currently researching his past. I have visited the Kilwaughter Castle in 1996, which he and his family leased and refurbished over 30 years until 1922. I want to find out more about it's deterioration during the later years of WW2. I heard some references about the Tile roof being taken for the lead conrtent. I am wondering if you have any information on this time in it's history?

Hildy Barnett - August '05
I found a sign under a cottage I bought on Salt Spring Island, B.C. and it says Kilwaughter. I have no idea why it was there?

Liam Kelly - August '05
Some say that the KIL refers to a wood or a church and the WAUGHTER refers to the word, upper. Both words come from the Irish words. So Kilwaughter can mean the Upper Wood or Church,take your pick! Many local people still pronounce the word as KILWATER or KILWATHER.

Samuel Sylvanus NcNinch III - July '05
What does the word kilwaughter mean. my mother and dad had a gorgeous farm with an 18 acre lake on it and they called it kilwaughter. Also, is kilwaughter ever spelt differently such as kilwater?

David Stewart - June'05
My mother was born a stones throw from the castle in 1924. During World War 2 my maternal grandmother was the post-mistress in Kilwaughter. I still have an uncle and aunt who live in what was the Post Office.

My mother told me many times of the American artillery shooting at the Ailsa Criag (Paddy's Milestone) from the ground of Kilwaughter Castle. I am not sure of the distance but it must be many miles. According to my mother, who witnessed this "target practice", the American artillery hit the rock in the Irish Sea many times.

Penny Underwood, Victoria BC Canada - April '05
John Galt Smith was my great grandfather on my mother's side. I visited Kilwaughter Castle 10 years ago while on holiday in Ireland. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who is doing family research on the Galt Smith or Agnew families.

Jennifer M Lane - April 04
From 1891 until 1922, the Castle was leased to Balzani's relative John Galt Smith (an Agnew descendent) who was a linen merchant also maintaining an American home in New York City. Smith's American wife, Elizabeth Bringhurst, continued to maintain Kilwaughter after her husband's death in 1899 until the lease was fulfilled in 1922, when she returned to her family's estate, Rockwood, in Wilmington, Delaware (now a museum). John and Elizabeth, along with his two children from a previous marriage (George Kennedy and Florence), renovated Kilwaughter extensively. Much of the furnishings from Kilwaughter were sold at auction in 1922 and several remaining pieces returned to Rockwood with Mrs. Galt Smith.

Robert Cooke, Churchill, Victoria, Australia- May '04
My ancestors worked in the Kilwaughter Castle, Johh Cooke , my Great Great Grand father was a coachman, his sons John was a groomsman, Andrew ( Great Grandfather) was a gardener. Both of them leased land from William Agnew the old Squire. Their Mother, namely Jane Cooke nee Glover was the head chef and died at the age of 95. Her husband 's parents are difficult to trace and if anyone can help I would be most greatful. Have been stuck on this branch of the Tree for a real long time and would love to make contact with anyone who might be able to help.
Please contact this site if you have any info.

marc agnew - Feb '08
my name is agnew my family come from all around this area from what iam told our name was ognimh which i believe to be the irish for agnew i believe iam decended from a one fear flatha ognimh of cairncastle at ballygally head who was a bard, poet,adviser to possibly the oniell family my grandmother talked about a connection with killwauter castle and that they were given land there, i myself show traits of poetry myself i would be greatful if anyone could give me any information regarding the ognimh connection thank you

Ruins of Kilwaughter Castle