Hamilton, James

Year 1798

Reference number: 337Find it on the map

Inscription:

Near this spot lie the remains of James Hamilton, Earl of Clanbrassill, Viscount Limerick, Baron Claneboy, and Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. He was born on the 23rd of August 1730, was married on the 21st of May 1774 to Grace eldest daughter of Thomas Lord Foley, and died on the 6th of February 1798 leaving no issue. His disconsolate widow who inscribes this tablet to his memory, forbears to fill it with superfluous praise or useless lamentations. May they who knew him best, and loved him most, praise him in their future lives, by a remembrance of his example, and an imitation of his virtues.

Bio:

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil, Viscount Limerick, Barron of Clanboye and Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick. Clanbrassil street is named after the Earldom. James Hamilton II was great horticulturist and was more interested in nature and flora. His residence was Dundalk House, on the site of the old Carrol’s building former cigarette factory. The area of Dundalk known as the Demesne was his gardens and lawns. His father James Hamilton was the 1st Earl and was instrumental in the development of the town of Dundalk. Encouraging manufacturing and industrialisation into the town, he was responsible for creating the harbour embankment and provided housing for the linen industry. A number of streets in the town of Dundalk named after the members of the Hamilton family, such as Anne Street. James Hamilton II died without an heir and all his land and estate was inherited by his sister Anne Countess of Roden, who was married to Robert Jocelyn, Earl of Roden.