Rokeby Hall

30/05/2026

An upcoming book launch this week in Collon Church of Ireland.
This book about eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century politics in Co. Louth provides a different perspective on the lives of the Louth 'Big House' families, such as the Fosters, Fortescues, and Bellews, who were at the forefront of politics in the county.
The book is written by well-known historian A.P.W. Malcomson and the guest speaker for the launch is Lord Bellew.
See details below.

'DEBAUCHERY, ILL BLOOD AND PERJURY' BOOK LAUNCH!

Join us for our first book launch of 2026!

The Trustees of the Ulster Historical Foundation, request the pleasure of your company at the launch of ‘Debauchery, ill blood and perjury’: Louth elections, c. 1700–c. 1835 by A.P.W. Malcomson.

Event Details
• Date: Thursday, 04 June
• Time: 18:30
• Location: Collon Church of Ireland Church, Church Street, Collon, Co. Louth
• Booking: Space is limited so reserving your place is essential.

To RSVP email [email protected], or call +4491812073
Light refreshments will be served.

BOOK LAUNCH - SPECIAL OFFER!

If you plan to attend the launch, order your copy today!

Enter the code DebaucheryLaunchCollect at checkout on our online bookstore to save on postage costs AND to receive an additional £5 off your order: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/shop/products/louth-elections

28/05/2026

We're busy preparing to open Rokeby for house tours again from June 1st. And our new Historic Houses of Ireland member sign is now in place beside our gate sign. These membership badges are a new initiative this year to help promote the organisation, which was established in 2008 to support the preservation and future of historic Irish homes of all sizes.

12/05/2026

Before and after...
Just back from the annual CSHIHE conference in Maynooth to see the final window of this year's window project which was finished yesterday.
Our drawing room originally had three south facing windows, but the centre window was opened to add a door in the 1970s with steps for garden access. We wanted to retain the garden access, so the door has now been replaced with a traditional jib window.
We're very grateful to the Fennell family at Burtown House and Gardens who kindly allowed the team to closely inspect the construction details of their original 1790 jib window - the date was perfect for Rokeby's 1786 build date.
And thanks to Sashwindows.ie for a fantastic job.
We're absolutely thrilled with the result. 🥰
(Next job is painting the railings!!)

06/05/2026

An update on the ongoing window work - three more new windows are now in place in a second room. We're still amazed at how much difference these windows make to the house both inside and out. Having four now on the garden front of the house gives a far better idea of what it will look when we move beyond the current set of six being installed. Still one to go in this phase - that work starts tomorrow.
Sashwindows.ie

30/04/2026

A very exciting day at Rokeby today. Before (this morning), during, and after (this afternoon) photos of work to replace 1950s-windows with traditional sash windows made to reproduce Rokeby's original 1780s windows. These are the first two of six being replaced over the coming days. And hopefully more to follow in the future.
Thanks to all at Sashwindows.ie

18/04/2026

Today saw the release of the 1926 census online by the National Archives of Ireland. The then owners of Rokeby Hall - the Clinton family - were in residence on census day exactly 100 years ago today. See the details here -

The release of Ireland's 1926 census today, one hundred years after it was conducted, adds another glimpse into the history of Rokeby Hall. The 1926 census is

07/04/2026

Blue skies and sunshine above a carpet of daffodils and dandelions.

05/03/2026

150 years ago...

Sarah, Lady Robinson, the wife of Sir John Stephen Robinson, died at Rokeby in November 1875. In February 1876, Sir John was presented with an illuminated address as a mark of sympathy by a delegation of tenants and friends headed by George Harley Kirk, then M.P. for Co. Louth. A report of the event was published in the Dundalk Democrat, as was the text of the address. On 4 March 1876, Sir John published a reply in three local newspapers, the Drogheda Argus, the Drogheda Conservative and the Dundalk Democrat. Each paper again published the full text of the address, followed by Sir John's reply which read

My Dear Friends,- My children and myself feel most gratefully for the sympathy you have so unanimously and feelingly expressed to us at the sad loss we have sustained.
It is a melancholy pleasure to me to find how thoroughly Lady Robinson's kind, loving, and gentle disposition was understood and esteemed by those she had lived amongst for so many years.
I shall carefully preserve your Address, and most fully appreciate the sincerity of the feelings which actuated its presentation.
For your affectionate expressions of regard towards me and mine, pray accept my warmest thanks, and believe me to be, my dear friends, yours most sincerely.
John Stephen Robinson.
Rokeby Hall

150 years later, the address is still carefully preserved at Rokeby. It was very kindly passed to us by the previous owners of the house - the only historic Robinson-era document then in the house.

11/02/2026

A cheerful bloom in an otherwise damp and grey day.

22/01/2026

Unusual view of the hall - while wielding a feather duster atop a ladder.
Supervised by a bored doggo!