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Fire guts County Down ancestral home Mourne Park House fire guts County Down ancestral home
(35 minutes later)
More than 80 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a large ancestral home in Kilkeel, County Down. More than 80 firefighters have been involved in tackling a blaze at a large stately home in Kilkeel, County Down.
They were called to the scene at Mourne Park House on the Newry Road, Kilkeel, shortly before 10:00 BST.They were called to the scene at Mourne Park House on the Newry Road, Kilkeel, shortly before 10:00 BST.
The roof of the main part of the house has collapsed and firefighters are trying to stop the flames spreading to adjoining wings of the building.
The house is the ancestral home of the earls of Kilmorey and is one of Northern Ireland's grandest homes.The house is the ancestral home of the earls of Kilmorey and is one of Northern Ireland's grandest homes.
The 17-bedroom property, which has been extensively damaged by the fire, has been on the housing market for a number of years. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it was too early to say what caused the fire, but it is believed it may have started in the roof.
The ownership of the estate dates back to the middle of the 16th Century when Edward VI granted extensive lands in the Newry and Mourne area to the Marshall General of the Army in Ireland, Sir Nicholas Bagnall. The 17-bedroom property has eight reception rooms and seven bathrooms and has been on the housing market for a number of years.
The ownership of the estate dates back to the middle of the 16th Century, when Edward VI granted extensive lands in the Newry and Mourne area to the Marshall General of the Army in Ireland, Sir Nicholas Bagnall.
Royal guests
The current house was rebuilt in 1806, on the instructions of its then owner, Francis Needham, who later became the first earl of Kilmorey.The current house was rebuilt in 1806, on the instructions of its then owner, Francis Needham, who later became the first earl of Kilmorey.
Needham was also Army officer who later became a politician, but is best remembered for the military defence he mounted in Wicklow during the 1798 Irish rebellion. Needham was an Army officer turned politician, who is best remembered for the military defence he mounted in Wicklow during the 1798 Irish rebellion.
The Kilmorey family's main estate was in Shropshire, England, but they used Mourne Park as their holiday home.The Kilmorey family's main estate was in Shropshire, England, but they used Mourne Park as their holiday home.
They threw lavish parties on the County Down estate, hosting many high-profile politicians and royal guests including Edward VII, who was a frequent visitor to Mourne Park. They threw lavish parties on the County Down estate, hosting royalty and many high-profile politicians.
The royal guests included Edward VII, who was a frequent visitor to Mourne Park.
During World War II, the house was used by British and US regiments before they were deployed to France.During World War II, the house was used by British and US regiments before they were deployed to France.
The last earl to live in the house died in 1961, and ownership of the house has since passed through the female line to the current owners.The last earl to live in the house died in 1961, and ownership of the house has since passed through the female line to the current owners.