(261) Aylmer of Lyons, Courtown, Kerdiffstown and Ayesha Castle

Aylmer of Lyons etc.

The Aylmer family were settled at Lyons (Co. Kildare) by the close of the 14th century, and possibly significantly earlier. Richard Aylmer was a Keeper of the Peace for counties Dublin and Kildare in the early 15th century, and my genealogical account below begins with his grandson, Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1501). He had two sons, the elder of whom inherited Lyons and the younger of whom, Sir Gerald Aylmer, was the ancestor of the baronets of Balrath (Meath) and the Barons Aylmer. I have not attempted to trace the Balrath branch as they seem never to have built a country house. This account follows the descent of the Lyons estate, ultimately sold by Michael Aylmer in 1796 under the pressure of crippling debts, and of the cadet branch which was established at Ballycannon, Cloncurry in the early 17th century and later came to own Courtown Park, Kerdiffstown House and Ayesha Castle.

The Lyons estate descended to Bartholomew's eldest son, Richard Aylmer (c.1479-1513), and then to the latter's son, Richard Aylmer (1509-59), who purchased the Donadea estate (Co. Kildare) in about 1558 and left it to his third son, Sir Gerald Aylmer (1548-1634), 1st bt. [for whom see my post on the Aylmer baronets of Donadea]. The Lyons estate passed to his eldest son, Thomas Aylmer (c.1537-87), and then to the latter's son, Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1597). Bartholomew died young, and his heir, Thomas Aylmer (c.1586-1639) did not come of age until 1607. Thomas was slow to marry and procreate, and at his death left a single daughter, so Lyons passed to his younger brother, George Aylmer (1589-1649). George left a single son, Thomas Aylmer (d. 1682), who intermarried with the branch of the family at Donadea Castle. As Roman Catholics, his sons were supporters of the Jacobite cause and were in arms against William III. George Aylmer (1663-1729) was allowed to keep the Lyons estate under the Treaty of Limerick, but his brother Richard - who went into exile with James II in France - was attainted and did not have licence to return to Ireland until 1705. A third brother, Gerald Aylmer, may be identifiable as the man of that name who was injured and captured during the siege of Derry, and not released until 1691. George Aylmer was succeeded by his son Gerald Aylmer (c.1690-1729), who was also a Jacobite and who was implicated in the Atterbury plot of 1720-22; he survived his father by only a few weeks, and left as heir his infant sons George Aylmer (d. 1732) and Michael Aylmer (1728-1808), whose spendthrift ways caused the break-up of the estate and ultimately the sale of Lyons itself.

John Aylmer (d. 1632) was the youngest son of Thomas Aylmer (d. 1587) of Lyons, and seems to have been bequeathed the small estate of Ballycannon at Cloncurry by his father. There seems never to have been a house of any consequence at Ballycannon, and the family were at best borderline gentry, sustained in gentility chiefly by their connections with the Aylmers of Lyons, Balrath and Donadea, until the mid 18th century. Charles Aylmer (c.1715-72) then acquired the Grange alias Grangemore estate. His son, Michael Aylmer (c.1750-c.1810), had a much higher status and served as High Sheriff of Kildare and Colonel of the county militia. He bought Courtown Park in about 1792, but his house there was burned down in 1798 during the rebellion of that year. His son, John Aylmer (1783/4-1857) rebuilt Courtown Park in about 1815, and left the estate at his death to his son Michael Henry Aylmer (1831-85). Michael married the daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House (Kildare) in 1853, and as a result of that marriage Kerdiffstown also came into the family in 1889. Michael's eldest son, Maj. John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924) inherited Courtown, and the next surviving son, Hans Hendrick-Aylmer (1856-1917) got Kerdiffstown. Courtown passed in 1924 to Major Aylmer's son, Maj. John Wyndham Aylmer (1889-1953), who sold it in 1947. Kerdiffstown passed in 1917 to Hans Hendrick-Aylmer's youngest brother, Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933), and then to his son, Col. Richard Michael Aylmer (1887-1975), who sold it in 1938. After the Second World War, however, Col. Aylmer bought Ayesha Castle at Killiney (Co. Dublin) as a replacement family home, and his son, Justin Aylmer (b. 1940) lived there until he sold it in 1997.

Lyons, Co. Kildare

There are fragmentary remains of a small tower house called Newcastle Lyons Castle which may be the original home of the Aylmer family, but if so it is not clear when it was abandoned, or what the later house of the family at Lyons was like. In the 18th century Michael Aylmer became indebted to Nicholas Lawless, 1st Baron Cloncurry, and in 1796 he sold the estate to him. Lord Cloncurry at once built a new house here in 1797, to the design of Oliver Grace: a three-storey block with a curved bow to either side of its entrance front, joined to two-storey wings by curving single-storey links. 

Lyons House: the entrance front, built in 1797-99 and remodelled by Richard Morrison in 1802-05. Image: aj vosse

The 2nd Baron Cloncurry, who was a friend of some of the leading United Irishmen, was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1799, but after his release in 1801 he brought in Richard Morrison to carry out improvements and alterations to his father's house in 1802-05. Lord Cloncurry, who decamped to Italy while his house was remodelled, fancied himself as an amateur architect, and had decided views about the improvements, which he expressed in letters to his agent. Morrison had not only to accommodate his employer's ideas but also the columns, chimneypieces and statuary which Lord Cloncurry collected in Italy for the house. His acquisitions included four antique columns of red Egyptian granite from the Golden House of Nero and the Baths of Titus, which had been reused at the Palazzo Farnese in Rome and which at Lyons became columns of a single-storey portico between the bows on the entrance front. In addition to constructing the portico, Richard Morrison faced the ground floor of the main block and wings with rusticated ashlar, and replaced the curved links to the pavilions with straight colonnaded ones, a similar change to the one he carried out at Carton (Kildare). The seven-bay garden front was left quite plain.

Lyons House: the drawing room

Inside, Morrison deepened the hall and dining room by removing - against his better judgement - the axial corridor which ran across the house behind them. The corridor wall supported the weight of the walls above, and large settlement cracks in the hall and dining room ceilings resulted. The hall was given a frieze of ox-skulls and tripods based on the Temple of Fortuna Virilis in Rome; doorcases with fluted entablatures and overdoor panels with classical reliefs; and a pair of freestanding antique marble Corinthian columns were set against one wall. The walls of the dining room and music room were painted with romantic landscapes, including views of Irish waterfalls, and other enchanting decoration by Gaspare Gabrielli, an artist brought by Lord Cloncurry from Rome. The bow-ended dining room was also given a wall-painting of Dublin Bay; and was adorned with reliefs of the story of Daedalus.

At some point in the 19th century a vast formal garden was laid out in front of the flat garden facade of the house, with many statues and urns and an antique column supporting a statue of Venus halfway along the the broad central walk leading from the house to what is the largest artificial lake in Ireland. Beyond the lake rises the wooded Hill of Lyons. 

Descent: Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1501); to son, Richard Aylmer (c.1479-1553?), to son, Richard Aylmer (1509-59); to son, Thomas Aylmer (c.1541-87); to son, Bartholomew Aylmer (d. c.1597); to son, Thomas Aylmer (c.1586-1639); to brother, George Aylmer (d. 1649); to son, Thomas Aylmer (d. 1682); to son, George Aylmer (1663-1729); to son, Gerald Aylmer (c.1690-1729); to son, George Aylmer (d. 1732); to brother, Michael Aylmer (1728-1808), who sold 1796 to Sir Nicholas Lawless (1735-99), 1st Baron Cloncurry; to son, Valentine Browne Lawless (1773-1853), 2nd Baron Cloncurry; to son, Edward Lawless (1816-69), 3rd Baron Cloncurry; to son, Valentine Lawless (1840-1928), 4th Baron Cloncurry; to brother, Frederick Lawless (1847-1929), 5th Baron Cloncurry; to niece, Hon. Kathleen Emily Marie Lawless (1888-1957); bequeathed to cousin, G. Mark Winn (of Aldby Park, Yorks), who sold 1962 to University College, Dublin; sold 1996 to Dr. Tony Ryan (1936-2007); sold by his executors 2016 to his son, Shane Ryan (b. c.1972).

Courtown Park, Kilcock, Co. Kildare

Courtown Park: the house in 2015.

The house is approached by a beech avenue, half a mile long. It is now a plain two-storey house of c.1815, built by John Aylmer to replace an earlier house here, which was burned and looted in 1798 during the ownership of his father, Michael Aylmer, who had been unable to rebuild it because he received insufficient compensation from the state. It has a five-bay front with strip pilasters. The house was much enlarged by Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen in 1906 for Major J.A. Aylmer, who added a wing at right-angles to the original block to form a new entrance front, with a three-sided bow and an open porch, at one side of a pedimented projection. The new wing contains, among other rooms, a hall with a massive oak staircase.

Descent: sold c.1792 to Michael Aylmer (1750-1828?); to son, John Aylmer (1783/4-1857); to son, Michael Henry Aylmer (1831-85); to son, Maj. John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924); to son, Maj. John Wyndham Aylmer (1889-1953), who sold 1947 to George Drummond... occupied in the 1950s by the American film producer, John Huston and his daughter Anjelica;... Mr. & Mrs. John O'Brien (fl. c.1980); sold 1981 to Brendon O'Mahoney; sold 2015 to Luke Comer.

Kerdiffstown House, Johnstown, Co. Kildare

Kerdiffstown House. Image: Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

A three-storey seven by three bay 18th century stone house with rusticated brick surrounds to the windows, originally belonging to the Hendricks family. The full-height canted bow now occupying the central three bays of the main front and containing the entrance door is probably a later addition as it is of brick, whereas the wall behind is of stone. One of the three bay end elevations has round-headed fanlighted windows on the ground floor, recessed in blind arches filled in with brick. The house by marriage to the Aylmers in 1853 and was sold by Col. R.M. Aylmer in 1938. It subsequently became a convent, and was renovated for this purpose in 1940, when a severely plain apse-ended classical chapel was built; rather later, c.1950, some unsightly additions were made including a modern porch and a two-storey accommodation block. The present horrible plastic windows are a more recent erosion of the historic fabric, probably perpetrated c.1990.

Descent: Hans Hendrick (d. 1889); to grandson, Hans Hendrick Aylmer (later Hendrick-Aylmer) (1856-1917); to brother, Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933); to son, Col. Richard Michael Aylmer (1887-1975), who sold 1938 to Dominican order for use as a Convent.... sold to Cement Roadstone Ltd. (fl. 1980); now a Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holiday Centre.

Ayesha Castle, Co. Dublin

Ayesha Castle and Killiney Bay.

A romantic 19th century castle of ashlar with a round tower and various turrets by the side of Killiney Bay, built in 1841 for Robert Warren of Killiney Castle, probably to the designs of his nephew, Sandham Symes (1807-94). He named it Victoria Castle, in commemoration of the queen's accession to the throne a few years earlier. The house was gutted by fire in 1928, but afterwards restored for Sir Thomas Power, who changed its name to Ayesha Castle, taking the name from the goddess who rose from the flames in Rider Haggard’s novel, She. It was bought by Col. R.M. Aylmer in 1947, and in 1997 the Aylmer family sold it to the renowned Celtic singer, Enya, who renamed it as Manderley Castle, after the fictional house that is a central character in Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Descent: Robert Warren (1787-1869); sold to Rev. Humphrey Lloyd (1800-81), Provost of Trinity College, Dublin; to nephew, Clifford Bartholomew Lloyd (1845-1915); to son, Wilmot Humphrey Clifford Lloyd (1879-1948); sold after fire to Sir Thomas Talbot Power (1863-1930), 6th bt., who restored the castle; leased after his death to Hon. David Plunket and John Chalk Barrett (d. 1947); sold after his death to Col. Richard Michael Aylmer (1887-); to sons Justin (b. 1940) and Dennis (b. 1942), who sold 1997 to the Irish singer, Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin (b. 1961), better known as 'Enya'.

Aylmer family of Lyons

Aylmer, Bartholomew (d. 1501). Elder son of Richard Aylmer (c.1419-55) of Lyons and his wife Margaret Bathe, born before 1448. He married Margaret (d. 1514), seventh daughter of Sir Christopher Chevers of Ballyhaly and Ballycullen (Wexford) and Macetown (Meath), and had issue four sons and four daughters, including:
(1) Richard Aylmer (c.1479-1513) (q.v.);
(2) Sir Gerald Aylmer (d. 1560), of Dollardstown (Meath); Chief Justice of Ireland, 1535-59; married and had issue (from whom descended the Aylmer baronets of Balrath and the Barons Aylmer); died 1560;
(3) Anne Aylmer (fl. 1506); married, 1506, as his first wife, Sir Thomas Luttrell of Luttrellstown, Lord Chief Justice of Common Pleas; died fairly young.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1455.
He died in December 1501. His widow died 2 September 1514.

Aylmer, Richard (c.1479-1513). Elder son of Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1501) and his wife Margaret, seventh daughter of Sir Christopher Chevers of Ballyhaly and Ballycullen (Wexford) and Macetown (Meath), born about 1479. He married, before 1502, Genet, daughter and heiress of Alderman Thomas Tew of Dublin and had issue, possibly among others:
(1) Richard Aylmer (1509-59) (q.v.).
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1501.
He died in 1513; an inquisition post mortem was held 11 April 1513. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Richard (1509-59). Only recorded son of Richard Aylmer (c.1479-1513) and his wife Genet, daughter and heiress of Alderman Thomas Tew of Dublin, born 1509. Appointed Chief Sergeant of Co. Kildare, 1535 and confirmed 1537. In 1538 he was involved in a skirmish with the O'Tooles and held captive until he paid a ransom. High Sheriff of Kildare, 1543. In 1551 he was among those pardoned for causing the death of Donoke O’Dempsie and two others. He married, c.1535, Eleanor (d. c.1593), daughter of Sir George Fleming, kt. and had issue:
(1) Thomas Aylmer (c.1537-87) (q.v.);
(2) George Aylmer (d. 1582), of Cloncurry (Kildare) and Trim (Meath); married, c.1572, Mary (d. 1586), elder daughter of Sir Patrick Hussey, Baron of Galtrim, and had issue three sons; died 26 December 1582;
(3) Sir Gerald Aylmer (1548-1634), kt. and 1st bt. [for whom see my previous post on the Aylmer baronets of Donadea Castle];
(4) Edward Aylmer (d. 1598); married Katherine, daughter of Richard Fitzgerald of Alloone (Kildare); died 14 January 1597/8;
(5) Catherine Aylmer; married Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald of Alloon;
(6) Anne Aylmer; married James Aylmer of Dollardstown;
(7) Mary/Margaret Aylmer (d. 1603); married James Hussey (d. 1603), Baron of Galtrim, and had issue two sons;
(8) Elizabeth/Elinor Aylmer (fl. 1592); married Edward Cusack of Lesmullen.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1513, and acquired the Cloncurry and Donadea estates in 1558.
He died between January and July 1559 and was buried at Lyons. His widow married 2nd, Nicholas Hussey, Baron of Galtrim, and died about 1593; she also was buried at Lyons.

Aylmer, Thomas (c.1537-87). Eldest son of Richard Aylmer (1509-59) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of Sir George Fleming, kt., born about 1541. He had livery of his father's estate, 20 July 1562. He was appointed as Commissioner to levy food for the army, 1563, and widely employed on such commissions in the 1560s and 1570s, and he was probably Clerk of the Peace for Co. Kildare for many years until February 1586/7. He married, c.1555, Alison (d. 1623), daughter of Thomas Cusack of Cussingtown, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and had issue:
(1) Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1597) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Aylmer (d. after 1602), of Hartwell; married and had issue four sons; died after 1602;
(3) John Aylmer (d. 1632) [for whom see below, Aylmer family of Ballycannon, Courtown and Kerdiffstown]
(4) Catherine Aylmer (fl. 1618); married 1st, James de Bathe, and 2nd, Sir Patrick Fox (d. 1618), kt., by whom she had issue two sons and two daughters; died after 1618;
(5) Rose Aylmer;
(6) Mary Aylmer;
(7) Margaret Aylmer; married Theobald Tuite (d. 1632) of Monelea (Westmeath) and had issue one son;
(8) Eleanor Aylmer (d. 1597); married Travers Piphoe; died 5 December 1597;
(9) Alison Aylmer.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1559.
He died 14/15 March 1586/7. His widow died in December 1623.

Aylmer, Bartholomew (d. 1597). Eldest son of Thomas Aylmer (c.1537-87) and his wife Alison, daughter of Thomas Cusack of Cussingtown, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He is recorded to have received a grant of arms in 1555, but this is probably an error for 1565. High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1597. He married Cicely (d. 1610), daughter of Robert Piphoe of Hollywood, and had issue, possibly among others:
(1) Thomas Aylmer (c.1586-1639) (q.v.);
(2) George Aylmer (1589-1648/9) (q.v.);
(3) Richard Aylmer (c.1590-c.1612), born about 1590; married and had issue one son; died before April 1612, when wardship of his son was granted to Sir Gerald Aylmer of Donadea;
(4) James Aylmer (c.1593-1669), born about 1593; inherited lands in Co. Kildare but was probably one of those dispossessed by Parliament and transplanted to Connaught, where he was given lands at Carrickbrien; married Mary, daughter of Sir Valentine Browne of Ross (Kerry) and had surviving issue two sons and one daughter; died 16 January 1668/9; will proved 23 January 1668/9;
(5) Anthony Aylmer (c.1595-c.1663) of Cockranstown (Kildare), born about 1595; outlawed for high treason after the rebellion of 1641; died intestate shortly before 1664;
(6) A daughter (fl. 1668); married [forename unknown] Nugent;
(7) A daughter; married [forename unknown] Talbot.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1587.
He died 5 December 1597 and was buried at Lyons. His widow died 20 April 1610.

Aylmer, Thomas (c.1586-1639). Elder recorded son of Bartholomew Aylmer (d. 1597) and his wife Cicely, daughter of Robert Piphoe of Hollywood, born about 1586. After his father's death he was made a ward of William Udall, who was ordered to bring him up in the Protestant religion, although he apparently reverted to Catholicism later. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He married, c.1627/8 (settlement 16 February), Mabel (d. c.1654), daughter of Sir Patrick Barnewall, 1st bt., of Turvey (Co. Dublin), and had issue:
(1) Ellen or Catherine Aylmer; married Richard Fagan of Feltrim, son of Christopher Fagan.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in c.1597 and came of age in 1607. At his death he was succeeded by his brother George.
He died 3 November 1639 and was buried at Lyons. His wife made her will 11 December 1654 and probably died soon afterwards.

Aylmer, George (1589-1649). Younger recorded son of Bartholomew Aylmer (d. c.1597) and his wife Cicely, daughter of Robert Piphoe of Hollywood, born 1589. He did not take up arms during the rebellion of the 1640s but was suspected of support for the rebels, and imprisoned at Dublin Castle from February 1642 to August 1643. He married Margaret, daughter of Meyler Fay of Herbertstown (Kildare) and widow of Robert Bathe of Lea (Co. Leix), and had issue:
(1) Thomas Aylmer (d. 1681/2) (q.v.);
(2) Mabel Aylmer (fl. 1655); married Walter White of Pitchfordstown (Kildare) and had issue one son and one daughter;
(3) Mary Aylmer (d. 1687); married Patrick Weldon (d. 1684) of Knockagh (Meath) and had issue one son; died 13 August 1687 and was buried at Knockagh, 2 September 1687;
(4) Cicely Aylmer (d. 1684); married 1st, Dr Robert Talbot MD of Dublin and 2nd, Gerard Dillon, but had no issue; died 9 October 1684 and was buried at St James, Dublin, 11 October 1684;
(5) Margaret Aylmer; married Walter Nangle of Kildalkey (fl. 1687).
He inherited the Lyons estate from his brother Thomas in about 1639, but Lyons Castle was burnt by the Earl of Ormonde in 1642 and much of his property was confiscated under Cromwellian rule, leaving him only Corkranstown.
He died in March 1648/9. His widow was living in 1660.

Aylmer, Thomas (d. 1682). Only recorded son of George Aylmer (1589-1648/9). He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Andrew Aylmer, 2nd bt., of Donadea Castle, and had issue four sons and seven daughters, including:
(1) George Aylmer (1663-1730) (q.v.);
(2) Gerald Aylmer (c.1664-1730?); an ardent Jacobite, possibly to be identified with the 'Gerald Aylmer' who served in King James' army at the Siege of Derry but was taken prisoner by the besieged in a sally, called the Battle of Windmill Hill, along with Lord Netterville and many others, in which about 200 were killed, and Netterville and Aylmer were badly wounded; they were then treated with kindness, and the respect due to their rank, being confined in a private house, and eventually exchanged in 1691; subsequently attainted for Jacobitism and sent into exile, where he may have entered French service on the Rhine; his will, made at Strasbourg in 1698, was proved in Ireland in 1730;
(3) Richard Aylmer (c.1666-1761); went into exile in France with King James II, 1690, but had licence to return to Ireland, 1705; he lived subsequently at Chapelizod; died 19 September 1761, when he was widely reported to have been 105 years old;
(4) Andrew Aylmer (fl. 1697); had licence to travel to Holland, 1697;
(5) Margaret Aylmer; married Col. Richard Eustace of Cradockstown (Kildare);
(6) Elizabeth Aylmer; a nun in France;
(7) Cicely Aylmer; died unmarried;
(8) Catherine Aylmer; a nun in France;
(9) Mary Aylmer; married, 1702, William Eustace (d. 1746) of Cradockstown (Kildare) and had issue three sons and one daughter;
(10) A daughter; married Edward Sherlock, councillor at law.
He inherited Corkranstown from his father in 1649 but was later evicted from this and transplanted to Connaught, where he was given land. He recovered the Lyons estate and Corkranstown after the Restoration.
He died 17 March 1681/2 and was buried at Lyons, 21 March 1681/2; his will was proved, 11 May 1682. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, George (1663-1730). Eldest son of Thomas Aylmer (d. 1682) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Andrew Aylmer, 2nd bt., of Donadea Castle, born 1663. He took the Jacobite side in the wars of 1688-90 and was a Capt. and later Lt-Col. in King James' Guards, but after the defeat of the Jacobite armies he was allowed to retain his estates under the Treaty of Limerick. MP for Co. Kildare in the 'Patriot Parliament' of 1689. He married, 1685/1689, Mary (1665-1703), eldest daughter of Sir Valentine Browne, 3rd bt. (who was created 1st Viscount Kenmare in the Jacobite peerage by King James II in 1689), and had issue three sons and three daughters, including:
(1) Thomas Aylmer (c.1686-1709); died unmarried, in the lifetime of his father;
(2) Gerald Aylmer (c.1690-1729) (q.v.);
(3) Valentine Aylmer (c.1692-1737); died unmarried, 1737 and was buried at Lyons; will proved, 1738;
(4) Jane Aylmer (d. 1777); married, c.1718, Pierce Bryan (1682-1762) of Jenkinstown, and had issue four sons and three daughters; died 1777;
(5) Elizabeth Aylmer (d. 1740); died unmarried, 3 May 1740; will proved 1744;
(6) Cicely Aylmer (d. c.1752?); probably died unmarried; possibly to be identified with Cecily Aylmer of St John's Abbey, Naas, whose will was dated 1752.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1681/2, but probably lived at Corkranstown.
He died 21 January 1729/30 and was buried at Lyons. His wife died in 1703.

Aylmer, Gerald (c.1690-1730). Son of George Aylmer (1663-1730) and his wife Mary, eldest daughter of Sir Valentine Browne, 3rd bt. (1st Viscount Kenmare in the Jacobite peerage), born about 1688. He was an active Jacobite, and was suspected of involvement in the Atterbury plot of 1720-22, although his involvement was never proved. He married, c.1724, Mary (d. 1778), daughter and co-heiress of Michael Moore of Drogheda (Louth), and had issue:
(1) George Aylmer (c.1726-32), born about 1726; inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1730 and was placed under the guardianship of Luke Gardiner, but died in 1732 before coming of age;
(2) Mary Aylmer;
(3) Michael Aylmer (c.1728-1808) (q.v.);
(4) Alice Aylmer (b. 1729), born after her father's death.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his father in 1730 but died shortly afterwards.
He died about seven weeks after his father, 10 March 1729/30; his will was proved 18 March 1729/30. His widow died in London in September 1778.

Aylmer, Michael (c.1728-1808). Younger son of Gerald Aylmer (c.1690-1730) and his wife Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Michael Moore of Drogheda (Louth). He was placed in the guardianship of William Alcock of Waterford and later of William Vesey, Master in Chancery. His mother reportedly took him away from the care of his (Protestant) guardians and brought him to London, with the intention that he would be brought up in France in the Roman Catholic religion, but his guardians pursued them to London, where they were brought before the courts, 1736. Whatever his eventual upbringing, the remained a Roman Catholic in religion. He lived beyond his means, and fell into debt, which led inexorably to the sale of his estates from 1758 onwards. Captain of Clare Rangers, 1779. He married 1st, 8 June 1756, Honora, daughter of Matthew Hore, of Shandon (Waterford) and Agbrahane (Galway); 2nd, 18 October 1756 at St George, Hanover Square, London, Margaret, only child of George Mathew of Thomastown; and 3rd, September 1770, Mary (c.1748-94), daughter of the Hon. Thomas de Burgh, and had issue:
(2.1) George Aylmer; died young;
(2.2) Gerald Aylmer; died young;
(2.3) Mary Aylmer (d. 1806); married, 24 August 1783 at Lyons, as his second wife, Sir Valentine Browne (1754-1812), 7th bt. and 1st Earl of Kenmare, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 16 October 1806;
(2.4) Margaret Aylmer (d. 1804?); married, 1783/8, Robert ffrench (c.1762-1811) of Rahasane (Galway) and had issue one son and three daughters; said to have died in 1804;
(3.1) Frances Aylmer (c.1770-1852), born about 1770; married, 1791 (settlement 21 December), Roger Sheehy Keatinge (d. 1828) and had issue one daughter; died 25 October 1852;
(3.2) Thomas Aylmer (b. 1772), baptised at St Mary's R.C. Church, Dublin, 13 September 1772; died young;
(3.3) (Fitz)Gerald Aylmer (1773-1837) (q.v.);
(3.4) Michael Aylmer (c.1775-1830), born about 1775; an officer in the infantry (Capt., 1796; Brevet Major); died unmarried, 15 April 1830.
He inherited the Lyons estate from his elder brother in 1732 and sold it to Sir Nicholas Lawless, 1st Baron Cloncurry in December 1796.
He died in Brussels (Belgium), 6 August 1808. His first wife died about 18 June 1756, ten days after their marriage. His second wife died before September 1770. His third wife died in 1794 and was buried at Lyons.

Aylmer, (Fitz)Gerald (1773-1837). Only surviving son of Michael Aylmer (c.1728-1808) and his third wife, Mary, daughter of the Hon. Thomas de Burgh, baptised at St Mary's R.C. Church, 10 December 1773. He married, 1 May 1811, also at St Mary's, Dublin, Catherine (b. c.1782), eldest daughter of Patrick Lambert of Carnagh (Wexford), and had issue:
(1) Michael Valentine Aylmer (1812-77), born 8 March and baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 16 March 1812; an officer in the Kilkenny militia (ensign, 1846); married 1st, June 1836, Emma, youngest daughter of John Adami of Soho, London, and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 26 April 1841, Marianne, daughter and heir of William Conolly of Dublin and widow of William Kirwan of Wellpark, Dublin, and had issue three sons and five daughters; died at Sandford (Co. Dublin), 1 August 1877;
(2) Mary Anne Aylmer (1813-93), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 25 March 1813; died unmarried in Dublin, 14 December 1893; will proved 24 April 1894 (estate £1,054);
(3) Margaret Aylmer (1814-81), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 3 May 1814; married, 2 July 1850, Ambrose Nugent (c.1818-86) of Killasona (Longford); died Oct-Dec 1881;
(4) Frances Aylmer (1815-91); died unmarried in Dublin, 10 September 1891; will proved 5 May 1893 (effects £1,085);
(5) Mary Teresa Georgina Aylmer (b. 1816), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 16 August 1816; perhaps died young;
(6) Jane Eliza Aylmer (1818-49), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 18 August 1818; died unmarried, 18 February 1849;
(7) Henry Lambert Aylmer (1820-97), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 11 April 1820; married, 28 Feb. 1842, Esmé, only daughter of Bryan Brady of Stonefield (Meath), and had issue; died 20 July 1897; administration of goods granted 18 May 1900 (effects £104);
(8) Letitia Aylmer (1821-86), baptised at St Mary's RC Church, Dublin, 2 January 1822; married, 9 October 1844, Charles Barnewall (d. 1873) of Meadstown (Meath) and had issue four sons and ten daughters; died 3 March 1886.

He lived at Derry House, Rathcabbin (Tipperary).

He died 9 January 1837. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer family of Ballycannon, Courtown and Kerdiffstown

Aylmer, John (d. 1632). Youngest son of Thomas Aylmer (c.1541-87) of Lyons and his wife Alison, daughter of Thomas Cusack of Cussingtown, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He married, 1605, Eleanor Hussey of Moyle Hussey and had issue:
(1) Matthew Aylmer (b. 1606) (q.v.);
(2) George Aylmer (c.1608-after 1624); born about 1608; died unmarried after 1624;
(3) Robert Aylmer (c.1610-after 1624); born about 1610; married Katherine, daughter of Piers Power of Monalargie and had issue one son; died after 1624;
(4) Bartholomew Aylmer (c.1613-before 1681); born about 1613; died before 1681;
(5) Richard Aylmer;
(6) Ellice Aylmer (d. 1684); married Gerald Dillon of Killynin (Westmeath); died 28 September 1684;
(7) Cicely Aylmer;
(8) Alison Aylmer.
He probably inherited Ballycannon, Cloncurry from his father in 1587.
He died 26 or 27 June 1632. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Matthew (b. 1606). Eldest son of John Aylmer (d. 1632) of Ballycannon and his wife Eleanor Hussey of Moyle Hussey, born 1606. He participated in the rebellion of 1641. He married, 20 February 1624, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wogan of Rathcoffey (Kildare) and had issue:
(1) John Aylmer (1626-1702) (q.v.).
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1632.
His date of death is unknown. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (1626-1702). Only recorded son of Matthew Aylmer (b. 1606) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wogan of Rathcoffey (Kildare), born 1626. He was perhaps the first member of this branch of the family to conform to the Protestant religion. He married and had issue:
(1) Col. John Aylmer (c.1652-1705) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Aylmer (c.1654-c.1717), born about 1654; married Bridget [surname unknown] and had issue two sons and four daughters; died about 1717;
(3) Matthew Aylmer (b. c.1656); born about 1656;
(4) Thomas Aylmer (b. c.1658); born about 1658;
(5) Alice Aylmer; married, 1707, William Humphreys of Hollywood (Wicklow).
He inherited Ballycannon from his father.
He died in 1702.

Aylmer, Col. John (c.1652-1705). Eldest son of John Aylmer (1626-1702) and his wife, born about 1652. An officer in the Army from c.1682 (Capt. by 1687; Col. by 1690). High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1680-85; MP for Naas, 1692-93; Sovereign (i.e. Mayor) of Naas, 1694; Deputy Governor of Co. Kildare, 1699. He married, 1678 (settlement 16 November), Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bear Court (Berks), and had issue:
(1) John Aylmer (d. 1708) (q.v.);
(2) Thomas Aylmer (b. c.1682), born about 1682; became a Roman Catholic and was cut out of his father's will on that account; died in France;
(3) Charles Aylmer (d. 1754) (q.v.);
(4) Andrew Aylmer (b. c.1687), born about 1687; died without issue;
(5) James Aylmer (b. c.1690), born about 1690; died without male issue;
(6) Matthew Aylmer (b. c.1693), born about 1693; married and had issue;
(7) Dorothy Aylmer; married [forename unknown] Greville;
(8) Elizabeth Aylmer;
(9) Cecily Aylmer;
(10) Lydia Aylmer;
(11) Alice Aylmer;
(12) Anne Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1702.
He died in 1705, leaving a will dated 22 March 1704/5 which was proved later that year. His widow married 2nd, George Aylmer; her date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (d. 1708). Eldest son of Col. John Aylmer (d. 1705) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bear Court (Berks), born about 1680. He married, 1705, Mary, daughter of Thomas Whyte of Pitchfordstown (Kildare) and had issue:
(1) Martha Aylmer (b. 1706);
(1) John Aylmer (1707-12), born 1707; inherited the Ballycannon estate from his father in 1708, but died young, 26 July 1712.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in about 1705. After his death it passed to his only son and then to his brother Charles Aylmer (d. 1754).
He died 15 September 1708. His widow married 2nd, Francis Glascock of Dublin; her date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Charles (c.1685-1754). Third son of Col. John Aylmer (d. after 1705) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bearecourt, born about 1685. High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1725. He married [forename unknown], daughter of Col. Gerard Crosbie, and had issue:
(1) Charles Aylmer (c.1715-c.1772) (q.v.);
(2) John Aylmer (c.1718-before 1754), born about 1718; predeceased his father;
(3) Mary Aylmer (fl. 1776); married, 24 December 1759 at St Michael, Dublin, John Bury (d. 1804?) of Dublin, notary public, and of Downings (Kildare), and had issue four sons and three daughters.
He inherited Ballycannon from his nephew in 1712.
He died 5/6 May 1754. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Charles (c.1715-c.1772). Elder son of Charles Aylmer (c.1685-1754) of Ballycannon and his wife, born about 1715. He married, 11 September 1749, Eleanor (d. 1781), daughter of James Tyrrell of Clonard (Kildare), and had issue:
(1) Michael Aylmer (c.1750-c.1810) (q.v.);
(2) Charles Aylmer (d. 1776); died unmarried, March 1776;
(3) Richard Aylmer (c.1752-79); married, September 1772, Elizabeth (k/a Betty), daughter of Admiral Richard Norris, and had issue two sons and three daughters; will proved in Dublin, 17 November 1779 and in the PCC, 23 February 1780;
(4) Bridget Aylmer; married, 9 October 1775, Thomas Cannon of Moyglare (Meath);
(5) Elizabeth Aylmer; married, about September 1778 at Grangemore, Thomas Coates of Knockin Abbey (Kildare);
(6) Anne Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1754 and acquired Grangemore (Kildare).
He died between 1770 and 1772; his will was proved in 1772. His widow died in 1781.

Aylmer, Michael (c.1750-c.1810). Eldest son of Charles Aylmer (c.1715-c.1772) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of James Tyrell of Clonard (Kildare), born about 1750. JP for Kildare from 1776; High Sheriff of Kildare, 1783, 1796 and 1804; Colonel of Kildare militia, 1795-1803; Revenue Collector in Kildare, c.1806-09. He married, 6 May 1777 at St Bride, Dublin, Frances Amelia, only daughter of Richard Hornidge DL of Tulfarris (Wicklow), and had issue:
(1) Emily Aylmer (c.1779-1811), born about 1779; married, 1799, as his second wife, Whitney Upton Gledstanes (d. 1807) of Fardross, Clogher (Tyrone) and had issue one son and one daughter;
(2) John Aylmer (1783/4-1857) (q.v.);
(3) Richard Aylmer (b. 1788), born 1788; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1804; BA 1808); died unmarried;
(4) Eliza Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father c.1772, and acquired Courtown (Kildare) in about 1792, but the house there was looted and burned by the United Irishmen in 1798; after that he lived at The Shrubbery, Kilcock (conveniently close to the town police barracks!).
He died about 1810. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (1783/4-1857). Elder son of Michael Aylmer (c.1750-c.1810) and his wife Frances Amelia, only daughter of Richard Hornidge of Tulfarris (Wicklow), born 1783/4. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1799; BA 1803) and Kings Inn, Dublin (admitted 1807). High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1819. He married 1st, March 1813, his cousin Martha (d. before 1828), second daughter of Maj. Richard Hornidge of Tulfarris (Wicklow), and 2nd, 29 December 1828 at Donadea, Margaret Susan (1799-1891), only daughter of Sir Fenton Aylmer, 7th bt., of Donadea Castle, and had issue:
(1.1) Isabella Aylmer (1814-24), born 1814; died young, 1824;
(2.1) Jane Grace Aylmer (c.1830-96); died unmarried, 28 March 1896; administration of goods granted 8 June 1896 (estate £5,059);
(2.2) Michael Henry Aylmer (1831-85) (q.v.);
(2.3) Frances Aylmer (b. c.1832); died unmarried;
(2.4) Margaret Aylmer (1834-1905), born 9 March 1834; married, 17 July 1856 at St Mark, Dublin, Charles Michael Wright (later Bury) (1830-1909) of Downings (Kildare) and had issue nine sons and four daughters; died 8 November 1905;
(2.5) Emily Aylmer (1835-1922), born 8 November 1835; married, 8 November 1859, Thomas Octavius Baldwin Chapman (c.1823-89) and had issue eight sons and five daughters; died 11 May 1922;
(2.6) Elizabeth Aylmer (c.1837-1900), born about 1837; died unmarried, 8 June 1900; will proved 9 August 1900 (estate in Ireland, £5,730) and sealed in London, 24 August 1900 (estate in England, £3,975);
(2.7) Cecilia Aylmer (c.1839-1918), born about 1839; died unmarried, 22 September 1918; will proved in Dublin, 2 December 1918, and sealed in London, 18 January 1919 (estate in England, £1,575);
(2.8) Lucy Harriet Aylmer (c.1842-1922), born about 1842; married, 20 June 1863 at British Chaplaincy in Rome (Italy), Edward Louis Hack (c.1831-89), builder of the first railways in Italy, and had issue one daughter; died 31 January 1922.
He inherited Courtown Park from his father and built a new house there c.1815.
He died 5 March 1857 and was buried at Cloncurry (Kildare); his will was proved 28 March 1857. His first wife died before 1828. His widow died aged 92, 26 December 1891; her will was proved in Dublin, 18 March 1892 (estate in Ireland, £14,279) and sealed in London, 11 April 1892 (estate in England £4,584).

Aylmer, Michael Henry (1831-85). Only son of John Aylmer (1783/4-1857) of Courtown Park and his second wife, Margaret Susan (1799-1892), only daughter of Sir Fenton Aylmer, 7th bt., of Donadea Castle, born 30 May 1831. JP for Co. Kildare. A noted horseman and rider to hounds. He married, 5 February 1853 at Naas (Kildare), Charlotte Margaret (d. 1893), daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), and had issue:
(1) John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924) (q.v.);
(2) Florence Mary Aylmer (1854-1907), born about 25 November 1854; married 1st, 21 March 1882 at St Ann, Dublin, Lt-Col. Walter Joseph Borrowes (1834-93), youngest son of Sir Erasmus Dixon Borrowes, 8th bt., and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 1895, William R.N. Gore; died 3 August 1907; administration of her goods granted 29 October 1907 (estate £632);
(3) Hans Hendrick Aylmer (later Hendrick-Aylmer) (1856-1917) (q.v.);
(4) Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933) (q.v.).
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1857, and Kerdiffstown in right of his wife.
He died in Dublin, 4 April 1885; his will was proved 9 April 1885 (effects £1,480). His widow died 4 November 1893; her will was proved in Dublin, 25 January 1894 (effects in Ireland, £5,631) and sealed in London, 7 February 1894 (estate in England, £2,056).

Aylmer, Maj. John Algernon (1853-1924). Eldest son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 22 December 1853. Educated at Liverpool Collegiate Institution and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1872; BA 1876; rowing blue, 1874).  An officer in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Lt., 1875; Capt., 1882; Maj., 1891), who served in Egypt, 1882. JP and DL for Co. Kildare; High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1896-97. He married, 12 April 1886 at Clearwell (Glos), Blanche (1855-95), third daughter of John Eveleigh Wyndham of Stock Dennis (Somerset) and widow of Capt. George Montgomery, and had issue:
(1) Stella Wyndham Aylmer (1887-1973), born Jan-Mar 1887; County Organizer for Women's Voluntary Service; appointed MBE, 1946; married, 3 March 1909, Lt-Col. John Maurice Colchester-Wemyss OBE JP (1880-1946), younger son of Maynard Willoughby Colchester-Wemyss of Westbury Court (Glos), and had issue one son; died 27 May 1973;
(2) John Wyndham Aylmer (1889-1953) (q.v.).
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1885.
He died 24 August 1924; his will was proved in London, 13 March 1925 (estate in England, £12,515) and in Dublin, 1 September 1925 (estate in Ireland, £5,662). His wife died 8 March 1895; administration of her goods was granted 14 June 1895 (effects £1,205).

Aylmer, Maj. John Wyndham (1889-1953). Only son of John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924) and his wife Blanche, third daughter of John Eveleigh Wyndham of Stock Dennis (Somerset) and widow of Capt. George Montgomery, born 9 March 1889. Educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in 4th Dragoon Guards (Lt., 1910; Capt., 1915; Maj., 1923; retired 1924), who served in First World War (mentioned in despatches three times). Master of Kildare Hunt, 1925-26. He married, 8 August 1918 at Holy Trinity, Sloane St., London, Edith Margaret (1892-1964), youngest daughter of Wilfred Hans Loder DL JP of High Beeches, Handcross (Sussex), and had issue:
(1) Maj. Michael Eustace Wyndham Aylmer (1919-86), born 20 July 1919; educated at Eton and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; an officer in 16th/5th Lancers (2nd Lt., 1939; Lt., 1941; Capt., 1946; Maj., 1952; retired, 1953) who served in Second World War; member of the London Stock Exchange; died 3 December 1986; will proved 20 May 1987 (estate £230,081);
(2) Blanche Mary Aylmer (1920-64), born 3 September 1920; served in Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Second World War; married, 6 May 1944, Christopher Francis Wintour of Sowbury House, Chieveley (Berks), son of Ulick Fitzgerald Wintour of Cap d'Antibes (France), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 16 February 1964; administration of goods granted 12 November 1964 (estate £8,919);
(3) Col. (John) Anthony Aylmer (1925-2022) of Nunwell House, Brading (IoW), born 7 October 1925; educated at Wellington College; an officer in the Irish Guards (Lt., 1947; Capt., 1952; Maj., 1959; Lt-Col., 1966; Col., 1972; retired 1980), who served in Second World War, Palestine 1948-49 and Aden 1966-67; took part in the Coronation Procession, 1953; Military Assistant to Lord Mountbatten, 1964-65; Deputy Chairman, Exercises Branch of Operations Division, SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), 1973; President of the Irish Wolfhound Club, 1970-72; purchased Nunwell House from the Oglander family, 1982; DL for Isle of Wight, 1994; married, 16 September 1961, Shaunagh Christine (1934-2010), second daughter of Richard Smythe Guinness of Lodge Park, Straffan (Kildare) and had issue one son and two daughters; died 25 January 2022.
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1924 but sold it in 1947 and lived subsequently at The Park, Charleville (Co. Cork).
He died in London, 22 March 1953; his will was proved 9 December 1953 (estate in England, £7,320). His widow died 29 October 1964; her will was proved 24 February 1965 (estate £6,409).

Hendrick-Aylmer, Hans Hendrick (1856-1917). Second son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 23 May 1856. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1877) Kings Inn, Dublin and Middle Temple (admitted, 1878; called to bar, 1880). Barrister-at-law. JP for Co. Kildare; High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1894. A keen amateur tennis player, he competed in the Irish national championships in 1880; Treasurer of the Kildare Archaeological Society. He took the additional name and arms of Hendrick by Royal Licence in 1889. He married, 8 May 1886 at Christ Church, Dublin, Florence (c.1861-1940), third daughter of Alexander Edwards of Ballyhire (Wexford), and had issue:
(1) Charles Percy Hendrick-Aylmer (1887-1906), born Jul-Sep 1887; educated at Wellington College; died unmarried of peritonitis, 1 December 1906;
(2) Muriel Charlotte Hendrick-Aylmer (1889-1970), born 16 May 1889; married, 5 November 1915, Brig. John Penrose MC (1886-1964) of West Hoe House, Bishops Waltham (Hants), son of Rev. John Penrose of Chippenham (Wilts) and had issue three sons; died 19 November 1970; will proved 30 April 1971 (estate £14,062);
(3) Violet Lucy Hendrick-Aylmer (1891-1979), born 13 September 1891; married, 31 December 1925, Capt. Philip Sylvester Alexander (1883-1952) of Kilmorna, Lismore (Waterford), only son of Col. the Hon. Walter Philip Alexander, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 19 December 1979; will proved in London, 28 May 1981 (estate in England £4,512);
(4) Gerald Hans Hendrick-Aylmer (1897-1917), born Jul-Sep 1897; educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; an officer in Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Lt., 1915), who served in First World War and was killed in action, 16 April 1917; he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais (France).
He inherited Kerdiffstown House from his grandfather, Hans Hendrick, in 1889.
He died 13 November 1917 and was buried at Maudlins Cemetery, Naas (Kildare), where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in Dublin, 14 February 1918. His widow died 8 April 1940 and was also buried at Maudlins Cemetery; her will was proved in London, 7 August 1940 (estate in England, £2,478).

Aylmer, Algernon Ambrose Michael (1857-1933). Youngest son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 23 June 1857. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1879). An officer in the Dublin City Militia (Lt., 1875; resigned 1878). A keen amateur tennis player, he competed in the Irish national championships in 1880. He married, 10 June 1886, Frances Sophia (c.1861-1937), youngest daughter of Meade Caulfield Dennis of Fort Granite (Wexford) and had issue:
(1) Col. Richard Michael Aylmer (1887-1975) (q.v.);
(2) Theodora Margaret Aylmer (1892-1971), born 21 February 1892; married, 15 June 1915, Maj. Roger Ferdinand Mainguy DSO (1882-1959), son of Maj.-Gen. Ferdinand Beckwith Mainguy of Les Roquettes (Guernsey); lived at Morristown, Kill (Co. Kildare); died 2 December 1971; will proved in London, 30 October 1978 (estate in England £16,267).
He lived at Rathmore (Kildare) until he inherited Kerdiffstown House from his elder brother in 1917.
He died 6 February 1933; his will was proved in London, 10 May 1933 (estate in England, £9,674); in Dublin, 12 July 1933 (estate in Ireland, £20,911) and in Belfast, 19 July 1933 (estate in Northern Ireland £1,392). His widow died 20 January 1937; her will was proved in England, 25 March 1937 (estate £571).

Aylmer, Col. Richard Michael (1887-1975). Only son of Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933) and his wife Frances Sophia, youngest daughter of Meade Caulfield Dennis of Fort Granite (Wexford), born 5 October 1887. Educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in Royal Army Service Corps 1908-38 and 1949-45; served in First World War (wounded, mentioned in despatches three times) and Second World War (mentioned in despatches); seconded to Egyptian Army, 1920-23. He married, 26 January 1939, Mona (1909-99), elder daughter of Capt. Conn Alexander of Bognor Regis (Sussex), and had issue:
(1) Justin Michael Aylmer (b. 1940), born 3 January 1940; educated at Wellington College; employed in Investment Division of Lloyds Bank Ltd from 1974 but later retrained as an actor at the Focus Theatre, Dublin; member of the Council of the Irish Lawn Tennis Assoc., 1973; married, 1981, Bridget Frances Georgina (b. 1954), daughter of Canon George Alfred Salter, and had issue two sons;
(2) Dennis Fenton Aylmer (b. 1942) of Valley House, Enniskerry (Wicklow), born 21 May 1942; educated at Wellington College; company director; converted to Unitarianism c.1965; trustee of the Unitarian Church of Ireland, 2001-date; married, 1976, Dorothy Margaret (d. 2012), daughter of Thomas Anthony Fleming, and had issue two sons.
He inherited Kerdiffstown House from his father in 1933 but sold it in 1938. In 1947 he bought Ayesha Castle (Co. Dublin), which was sold by his sons in 1997.
He died at Ayesha Castle, 26 January 1975, and was buried at Maudlins Cemetery, Naas (Kildare); his will was proved 31 October 1975 (estate in England, £13,452). His widow died aged 90, 22 August 1999, and was also buried at Maudlins Cemetery, where their grave is marked by a monument; her will was proved in London, 20 March 2000.

Sources

Burke's Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 42-43; F.J. Aylmer, The Aylmers of Ireland, 1931; M. Bence-Jones, A guide to Irish country houses, 2nd edn., 1990, pp. 93, 164, 196-97; Irish Architectural Archive, The architecture of Richard Morrison and William Vitruvius Morrison, 1989, pp. 120-22.

Location of archives

Hendrick and Aylmer families of Kerdiffstown and Ayesha Castle: family and estate papers, 18th-19th cents. [Private Collection; enquiries to National Library of Ireland]

Coat of arms

Argent, a cross sable between four Cornish choughs proper.

Can you help?

Here are a few notes about information and images which would help to improve the account above. If you can help with any of these or with other additions or corrections, please use the contact form in the sidebar to get in touch.

• As always with early Irish families, the genealogical sources are sadly deficient and sometimes contradictory. If anyone can improve on my descent of the family with information from deeds, wills, or other sources, I should be very pleased to hear from them.
• If anyone can supply portraits of members of this family whose names appear in bold above, I should be very pleased to receive them for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements.

This post was first published 13 May 2017 and was updated 6-7 June 2017, 7 February 2020, 12 July 2022 and 15 September 2024. I am grateful to Brendan Grimes and Stephen Paull for corrections to this article.