[Illustration: ORMEAU, COUNTY OF DOWN, THE SEAT OF THE MARQUESS OF
DONEGAL.]
In the selection of subjects for illustration in our Journal, there are
none which we deem more worthy of attention, or which give us greater
pleasure to notice, than the mansions of our resident nobility and
gentry; and it is from this feeling chiefly that we have made choice
of Ormeau, the fine seat of the Marquess of Donegal, as eminently
deserving an early place among our topographical notices. Many finer
places may indeed be seen in Ireland, belonging to noblemen, of equal
or even inferior rank; but there are, unfortunately, few of these in
which the presence of their lordly owners is so permanently to be found
cementing the various classes of society together by the legitimate bond
of a common interest, and attracting the respectful attachment of the
occupiers and workers of the soil by the cheering parental encouragement
which it is the duty of a proprietor to bestow.
Ormeau is situated on the east side of the river Lagan, above a mile
south of Belfast.
The mansion, which, as our view of it will show, is an extensive pile
of buildings in the Tudor style of architecture, was originally built
as a cottage residence in the last century, and has since gradually
approximated to its present extent and importance, befitting the rank
of its noble proprietor, by subsequent additions and improvements. It
has now several very noble apartments, and an extensive suite of offices
and bed-rooms; but as an architectural composition, it is defective as a
whole, from the want of some grand and elevated feature to give variety
of form to its general outline, and relieve the monotonous effect of so
extensive a line of buildings of equal or nearly equal height.
The original residence of the family was situated in the town of Belfast,
which may be said to have grown around it, and was a very magnificent
castellated house, erected in the reign of James I. Its site was that
now occupied by the fruit and vegetable markets, and it was surrounded
by extensive gardens which covered the whole of the ground on which
Donegal-place and the Linen Hall now stand. Of this noble mansion,
however, there are no vestiges now remaining. It was burnt in the year
1708, by an accidental fire, caused by the carelessness of a female
servant, on which occasion three daughters of Arthur, the third Earl of
Donegal, perished in the flames; and though a portion of the building
which escaped destruction was afterwards occupied for some years, the
family finally removing to their present residence, its preservation was
no longer necessary.
The demesne surrounding Ormeau is not of great extent, but the grounds
are naturally of great pastoral beauty, commanding the most charming
views of Belfast Lough and adjacent mountains, and have received all the
improvements that could be effected by art, guided by the refined taste
of its accomplished proprietress.
We have only to add, that ready access to this beautiful demesne is
freely given to all respectable strangers--a privilege of which visitors
to the Athens of the North should not fail to avail themselves.