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Papers: List of Papers 2002-04 |
Joseph Derham . Frank Whearity |
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The Hamilton Family of Hampton Hall, Balbriggan. |
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Skerries Historical Society members and friends were treated to an excellent paper by Stephanie Bourke at the meeting on Tuesday, 14th. Sept. Stephanie outlined the Hamilton family history from the early 18th. century. The first Hamilton to reach Balbriggan was Alexander, who was from an Ulster Scots family which had settled in Co. Down in the early 1600s. There were branches of the family in many parts of Ireland - such as Tyrella and Killyleagh, Co. Down, Hamwood, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, and more distant relatives at Sheephill near Blandchardstown. The manor of Holmpatrick (Skerries) was purchased in 1721 by another distant relative, John Hamilton, just 3 years after Alexander began purchasing lands near Balbriggan. . Alexander's son, Baron George, built Hampton Hall, where the family lived until the beginning of the 20th. century. Alexander's son, Baron George, built Hampton Hall, where the family lived until the beginning of the 20th. century. He transformed Balbriggan from a small fishing village to a thriving industrial town over a period of 40 years (1750 - 1790). He was responsible for the construction of the pier and the lighthouse. He also established the cotton factory c. 1780. |
His grandson George Alexander was born in 1801 and died 1871. He was M.P. for Dublin city in the 1830s and again from 1843 - 1856. Eventually he became secretary to the treasury. His life's work was service to his country. When he died it was the beginning of the end of the Hamilton dynasty of Balbriggan. 
The Hamiltons were fair-minded hard working landlords and this was illustraated by the eulogy written after George Alexanders' death and read at the meeting by Brian O'Byrne. John Harte proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the Society. |