The Beresford family connection with the county of Armagh was by and large an
ecclesiastical affiliation. The Beresford’s first came to the shores of Ireland
during the plantations of the seventeenth century and though they would later
be much associated with the Waterford area some members of the family rose to
prominence as Archbishops of Armagh. Their names are recorded within St.Patrick’s
Church of Ireland in Armagh.
This ecclesiastical calling continued to the next generation in the form of Lord
John de la Poer Beresford, nephew of the Most Reverend Lord John George Beresford,
Archbishop of Armagh. Born on April 27th 1814, John de la Poer Beresford was educated
at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, before receiving his MA in 1836. As the
younger son of the Marquess of Waterford, John took up the church as his profession.
He served as Curate of Kilmore from 1841 to 1844 and as Rector of Baronstown from
1844 to 1849 before settling to the charge of St. John’s Church of Ireland at Mullabrack.
Upon the death of his elder brother on March 29th 1859 John was elevated to the
position of 4th Marquess of Waterford. He resigned his ministerial charge but
gave to the parishioners the gift of a Chapel of Ease in the town of Markethill.
The building continues to bear the inscription,
“This tablet is erected by the parishioners of Mullabrack in grateful acknowledgement
of the munificent gift of this Chapel of Ease by their Rector, the Most Honourable
and Reverend John de la Poer, Marquess of Waterford, on his retirement from the
incumbency, 1859″.
Lord John de la Poer Beresford died on November 6th 1866. By his marriage to Christina,
daughter of Colonel Charles Powell Leslie, he left behind issue:
- John Henry de la Poer Beresford. Born May 21st 1844 he became the 5th
Marquess of Waterford. Married first to Florence Grosvenor (1872) and upon her
death to Lady Blanche Elizabeth Adelaide (1874). His son, Henry, became the 6th
Marquess of Waterford. - Charles William de la Poer Beresford. Born February 10th 1846 he became
Baron Beresford and married Mina Gardner in 1878. - William Leslie de la Poer Beresford. Born July 20th 1847 he married Lilian
Warren, widow of the 8th Duke of Marlborough (1895). - Marcus Talbot de la Poer Beresford. Born December 25th 1848 he married
Louisa Katherine Ridley in 1895. - Delaval James de la Poer Beresford. Born January 19th 1862 he died, unmarried,
on December 22nd 1906.
As a third son of the family William Leslie de la Poer Beresford was forced to
seek employment. Adopting the military as his chosen career he became a Captain
with the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers. Posted to Zululand Captain Beresford distinguished
himself in battle. For actions of personal courage and leadership he was awarded
the Victoria Cross. William Beresford went on to become a Lieutenant Colonel in
the army. He died on December 28th 1900. A memorial was erected to his memory
at Clonagam Churchyard in County Waterford.
REFERENCES
Kerr, Rev.WG, Parish of Mullabrack (1953)
McCorry, FX, Journeys in Co.Armagh and Adjoining Districts
(Lurgan, 2000)
McHugh, A Guide to St.John’s Parish Church Mullabrack (Mullabrack, 1985)
