Marquess of Donegall
Encyclopedia
Marquess of Donegall is a title in the Peerage of Ireland
held by the head of the Chichester family, originally from Devon
, England
. Sir John Chichester sat as a Member of Parliament
and was High Sheriff of Devon
in 1557. One of his sons, Sir Arthur Chichester
, was Lord Deputy of Ireland
from 1604 to 1615. In 1613 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Chichester, of Belfast in the County of Antrim. He died childless in 1625 when the barony became extinct. However, already the same year the Chichester title was revived in favour of his younger brother, Edward Chichester
, who was made Baron Chichester, of Belfast in the County of Antrim, and Viscount Chichester, of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim. Both titles are in the Peerage of Ireland. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Viscount. A distinguished soldier, he was created Earl of Donegall in the Peerage of Ireland in 1647 (one year before he succeeded his father), with remainder to the heirs male of his father.
He died without male issue and was succeeded (in the earldom according to the special remainder) by his nephew Arthur Chichester, the second Earl. He was the eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester, second son of the first Viscount. Lord Donegall had previously represented Donegal
in the Irish House of Commons
. His eldest son, the third Earl, was a Major-General in the Spanish Army and fought in the War of the Spanish Succession
. He was killed in action in 1706. His eldest son, the fourth Earl, died childless and was succeeded by his nephew, the fifth Earl. He was the son of the Hon. John Chichester, younger son of the third Earl. Lord Donegall was created Baron Fisherwick, of Fisherwick in the County of Stafford, in the Peerage of Great Britain
in 1790, and one year later he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Belfast and Marquess of Donegall in the Peerage of Ireland.
His grandson, the third Marquess, served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
under Lord John Russell
between 1848 and 1852. In 1841, three years before he succeeded his father in the marquessate, he was created Baron Ennishowen and Carrickfergus, of Ennishowen in the County of Donegal and of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
. Both his sons predeceased him and on his death in 1883 the barony of 1841 became extinct. He was succeeded in his other titles by his younger brother, the fourth Marquess. On the death of his grandson, the sixth Marquess, in 1975, the line of the second Marquess failed. The late Marquess was succeeded by his kinsman the fifth Baron Templemore (see below), who became the seventh Marquess. the titles are held by the latter's son, the eighth Marquess, who succeeded in 2007.
Several other members of the Chichester family have also gained distinction. John Chichester, grandson of Sir John Chichester, brother of the first Baron Chichester and the first Viscount Chichester, was created a Baronet in 1641 (see Chichester Baronets
). John Chichester, second son of the first Viscount and father of the second Earl, represented Dungannon
in the Irish House of Commons
. For the branch of the family founded by John Chichester's younger son and namesake, John Chichester, see Baron O'Neill
and Baron Rathcavan
. Arthur Chichester
, eldest son of Lord Spencer Chichester, second son of the first Marquess, was created Baron Templemore
in 1831. Lord Arthur Chichester
, fourth son of the second Marquess, and Lord John Chichester
, sixth son of the second Marquess, both represented Belfast in Parliament. Robert Chichester
, eldest son of Lord Adolphus Chichester, youngest son of the fourth Marquess, briefly represented Londonderry South in Parliament. His wife Dehra
was also a politician while their daughter Marion Caroline Dehra was the mother of politicians James Chichester-Clark, Baron Moyola, and Sir Robin Chichester-Clark
and of gardening writer and television presenter Penelope Hobhouse
.
The County
in Ireland
from which the title is derived is now spelt Donegal
. Several locations in Belfast are named after the family, including Donegall Square
, Donegall Road
, Donegall Arcade, Chichester Street and Chichester Park.
The heir apparent
is the present holder's son James Chichester, Earl of Belfast (b. 1990)
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
held by the head of the Chichester family, originally from Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Sir John Chichester sat as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
and was High Sheriff of Devon
High Sheriff of Devon
The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...
in 1557. One of his sons, Sir Arthur Chichester
Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester
Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester , known between 1596 and 1613 as Sir Arthur Chichester, was an English administrator and soldier, best known as the Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1604 to 1615.- Early life :...
, was Lord Deputy of Ireland
Lord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
from 1604 to 1615. In 1613 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Chichester, of Belfast in the County of Antrim. He died childless in 1625 when the barony became extinct. However, already the same year the Chichester title was revived in favour of his younger brother, Edward Chichester
Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester
Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester was the younger brother of Arthur Chichester, Baron Chichester. He was knighted in 1616, and after his brother's death in 1625 was in his memory ennobled as Viscount Chichester, of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim, and Baron Chichester, of Belfast in...
, who was made Baron Chichester, of Belfast in the County of Antrim, and Viscount Chichester, of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim. Both titles are in the Peerage of Ireland. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Viscount. A distinguished soldier, he was created Earl of Donegall in the Peerage of Ireland in 1647 (one year before he succeeded his father), with remainder to the heirs male of his father.
He died without male issue and was succeeded (in the earldom according to the special remainder) by his nephew Arthur Chichester, the second Earl. He was the eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester, second son of the first Viscount. Lord Donegall had previously represented Donegal
Donegal (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Donegal County was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800. The county received two seats at Westminster thereafter.-History:...
in the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
. His eldest son, the third Earl, was a Major-General in the Spanish Army and fought in the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
. He was killed in action in 1706. His eldest son, the fourth Earl, died childless and was succeeded by his nephew, the fifth Earl. He was the son of the Hon. John Chichester, younger son of the third Earl. Lord Donegall was created Baron Fisherwick, of Fisherwick in the County of Stafford, in the Peerage of Great Britain
Peerage of Great Britain
The Peerage of Great Britain comprises all extant peerages created in the Kingdom of Great Britain after the Act of Union 1707 but before the Act of Union 1800...
in 1790, and one year later he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Belfast and Marquess of Donegall in the Peerage of Ireland.
His grandson, the third Marquess, served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
The Captain of the Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard is a UK government post usually held by the Government Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords...
under Lord John Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC , known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century....
between 1848 and 1852. In 1841, three years before he succeeded his father in the marquessate, he was created Baron Ennishowen and Carrickfergus, of Ennishowen in the County of Donegal and of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
. Both his sons predeceased him and on his death in 1883 the barony of 1841 became extinct. He was succeeded in his other titles by his younger brother, the fourth Marquess. On the death of his grandson, the sixth Marquess, in 1975, the line of the second Marquess failed. The late Marquess was succeeded by his kinsman the fifth Baron Templemore (see below), who became the seventh Marquess. the titles are held by the latter's son, the eighth Marquess, who succeeded in 2007.
Several other members of the Chichester family have also gained distinction. John Chichester, grandson of Sir John Chichester, brother of the first Baron Chichester and the first Viscount Chichester, was created a Baronet in 1641 (see Chichester Baronets
Chichester Baronets
There have been three Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Chichester, one in the Baronetage of England and two in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. One creation is extant as of 2008....
). John Chichester, second son of the first Viscount and father of the second Earl, represented Dungannon
Dungannon (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Dungannon was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Dungannon was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
in the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
. For the branch of the family founded by John Chichester's younger son and namesake, John Chichester, see Baron O'Neill
Baron O'Neill
Baron O'Neill, of Shane's Castle in the County of Antrim, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1868 for the musical composer The Rev...
and Baron Rathcavan
Baron Rathcavan
Baron Rathcavan, of The Braid in the County of Antrim, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1953 for the Unionist politician Sir Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baronet. He had already been created a Baronet, of Cleggan in the County of Antrim, in 1929...
. Arthur Chichester
Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Templemore
Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Templemore was an Anglo-Irish soldier, politician and courtier.Chichester was born in Westminster, London, the eldest son of Lord Spencer Chichester, second son of Arthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of Donegall. His mother was Lady Anne Harriet Stewart, daughter of John...
, eldest son of Lord Spencer Chichester, second son of the first Marquess, was created Baron Templemore
Baron Templemore
Baron Templemore, of Templemore in the County of Donegal, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, since 1975 a subsidiary title of the marquessate of Donegall. It was created on 10 September 1831 for Arthur Chichester, Member of Parliament for Milborne Port and County Wexford...
in 1831. Lord Arthur Chichester
Lord Arthur Chichester
Lord Arthur Chichester , was an Anglo-Irish Member of Parliament .Chichester was the fourth son of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, and Anna, daughter of Sir Edward May, 2nd Baronet...
, fourth son of the second Marquess, and Lord John Chichester
Lord John Chichester
Lord John Ludford Chichester , was an Anglo-Irish Member of Parliament.Chichester was the sixth son of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, and Anna, daughter of Sir Edward May, 2nd Baronet...
, sixth son of the second Marquess, both represented Belfast in Parliament. Robert Chichester
Robert Chichester
Lt.-Col. Robert Peel Dawson Spencer Chichester DL, JP was an Irish soldier and politician. He was the son of Lord Adolphus John Spencer Churchill Chichester and Mary Dawson of Castledawson Lt.-Col. Robert Peel Dawson Spencer Chichester DL, JP (13 August 1873 – 10 December 1921) was an Irish...
, eldest son of Lord Adolphus Chichester, youngest son of the fourth Marquess, briefly represented Londonderry South in Parliament. His wife Dehra
Dehra Parker
Dame Dehra S. Parker, GBE, PC was the longest serving woman MP in the Northern Ireland House of Commons.-Family life:...
was also a politician while their daughter Marion Caroline Dehra was the mother of politicians James Chichester-Clark, Baron Moyola, and Sir Robin Chichester-Clark
Robin Chichester-Clark
Sir Robert Chichester-Clark was member of parliament for Londonderry in the British House of Commons from 1955 until February 1974, and was the only member representing Northern Ireland to be a British government minister since the Government of Ireland Act 1920.-Early life:Chichester-Clark was...
and of gardening writer and television presenter Penelope Hobhouse
Penelope Hobhouse
Penelope Hobhouse is a garden writer, designer, lecturer and television presenter.-Background:...
.
The County
Counties of Ireland
The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A county...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
from which the title is derived is now spelt Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Several locations in Belfast are named after the family, including Donegall Square
Donegall Square
Donegall Square is a square in the centre of Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. In the centre is Belfast City Hall, the headquarters of Belfast City Council. Each side of the square is named according to its geographical location, ie Donegall Square North, South, East and West. It is named...
, Donegall Road
Donegall Road
The Donegall Road runs from Shaftesbury Square in Belfast city centre to the Falls Road in west Belfast. It is bisected by the Westlink, and the largest part of the road, prior to the Westlink junction, is predominantly unionist...
, Donegall Arcade, Chichester Street and Chichester Park.
Viscounts Chichester (1625)
- Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount ChichesterEdward Chichester, 1st Viscount ChichesterEdward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester was the younger brother of Arthur Chichester, Baron Chichester. He was knighted in 1616, and after his brother's death in 1625 was in his memory ennobled as Viscount Chichester, of Carrickfergus in the County of Antrim, and Baron Chichester, of Belfast in...
(1568–1648) - Arthur Chichester, 2nd Viscount ChichesterArthur Chichester, 1st Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall was an Irish aristocrat and soldier.He was the eldest son of Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester, and made a career as a soldier before being elected to the Irish House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Armagh in 1634 and again in 1640.Having...
(1606–1675) (created Earl of Donegall in 1647)
Earls of Donegal (1647)
- Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall was an Irish aristocrat and soldier.He was the eldest son of Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester, and made a career as a soldier before being elected to the Irish House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Armagh in 1634 and again in 1640.Having...
(1606–1675)- Hon. William Chichester (d. 1660)
- Arthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of Donegall was an Anglo-Irish politician.Chichester was the son of Lieutenant Colonel John Chichester, of Dungannon, County Tyrone, the latter being the younger brother of Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall...
(d. 1678) - Arthur Chichester, 3rd Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 3rd Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 3rd Earl of Donegall was an Irish nobleman and soldier. Having succeeded his father as third Earl of Donegall in 1678, he refused to attend the Irish Parliament called by James II in May 1689, but later sat in the Parliament called by William III in October 1692.Having made a...
(1666–1706) - Arthur Chichester, 4th Earl of Donegall (1695–1757)
- Arthur Chichester, 5th Earl of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of Donegall , known as Arthur Chichester until 1757 and as The Earl of Donegall between 1757 and 1791, was an Irish nobleman and politician.-Background and education:...
(1739–1799) (created Marquess of Donegal in 1791)
Marquesses of Donegall (1791)
- Arthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of DonegallArthur Chichester, 1st Marquess of Donegall , known as Arthur Chichester until 1757 and as The Earl of Donegall between 1757 and 1791, was an Irish nobleman and politician.-Background and education:...
(1739–1799) - George Augustus Chichester, 2nd Marquess of DonegallGeorge Chichester, 2nd Marquess of DonegallGeorge Augustus Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, KP, PC , styled Viscount Chichester until 1799, was an Irish nobleman and politician....
(1769–1844) - George Hamilton Chichester, 3rd Marquess of DonegallGeorge Chichester, 3rd Marquess of DonegallGeorge Hamilton Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall KP, GCH, PC , styled Viscount Chichester until 1799 and Earl of Belfast between 1799 and 1844, was an Anglo-Irish landowner, courtier and politician...
(1797–1883)- George Augustus Chichester, Viscount Chichester (1826–1827)
- Frederick Richard Chichester, Earl of Belfast (1827–1853)
- Edward Chichester, 4th Marquess of DonegallEdward Chichester, 4th Marquess of DonegallEdward Chichester, 4th Marquess of Donegall was born in Great Cumberland Place, London, and was educated at Eton and Trinity College Dublin, graduating BA in 1822. He served as Church of Ireland Dean of Raphoe from 1831 to 1871, and succeeded his elder brother as fourth Marquess of Donegall at the...
(1799–1889) - George Augustus Hamilton Chichester, 5th Marquess of Donegall (1822–1904)
- Edward Arthur Donald St George Hamilton Chichester, 6th Marquess of DonegallEdward Chichester, 6th Marquess of DonegallEdward Arthur Donald St George Hamilton Chichester, 6th Marquess of Donegall succeeded to the title on the death of his father in 1904. His other titles included those of Viscount Chichester and Baron of Belfast, Earl of Donegall, Earl of Belfast, and Baron Fisherwick...
(1903–1975) - Dermot Richard Claud Chichester, 7th Marquess of DonegallDermot Chichester, 7th Marquess of DonegallDermot Richard Claud Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall LVO was an Irish soldier, landowner and member of the House of Lords....
(1916–2007) - Arthur Patrick Chichester, 8th Marquess of Donegall (b. 1952)
The heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
is the present holder's son James Chichester, Earl of Belfast (b. 1990)