Charles Henry Coote (1794 - 1864)

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Biography

Sir Charles Henry Coote Coat of Arms

Charles was born in 1794. He was the son of Chidley Coote and Elizabeth Carr. Sir Charles Henry Coote, 9th Baronet, MP (for Queen’s County 1821-47; 1852-59; Colonel Queen’s Militia, 1824-64) son of Chidley Coote and Elizabeth Anne Carr, was born 2 January 1794, married 26 November 1814, Caroline Elizabeth Whaley, and died 8 October 1864 at 5 Connaught Place, London. He was buried under Ballyfin Church,

Ballyfin Church

on the outside wall of which there is, erected by the 11th Baronet, his son, a memorial tablet with the following inscription:^[1][2]

Sir Charles Henry Coote, 9th Bart, Memorial

Ballyfin House

Sir Charles Henry Coote acquired the estate (Ballyfin) by purchase, and spent a large amount in improving the grounds and building the house as it now is, one of the finest mansions in Ireland. It was finished in 1826. We copy the following lines from the Dublin paper Irish Society of 12 November 1892: “Its size, its architecture, its decorations and its natural surroundings combine to make it an ideal place. It is situated in the centre of a magnificent and picturesquely wooden demesne, surrounded in the distance by wooded hills. In the park is a fine lake of which exquisite views are to be had from the windows, while close to the house the eye ranges almost illimitable parterres and pleasure grounds, where rare flowers and shrubs appear to have become indigenous.

Ballyfin, 1794

Ballyfin House, 2019

The mansion is entered by a handsome portico supported by lofty Ionic pillars.

Ballyfin House, 1828

The door leads into the grand hall, superbly decorated, the pavement of Roman mosaic having been made expressly for it and brought over.

Ballyfin Entrance Hall, 2019

The inner hall may be described as a symphony in white and gold. The white stone carving, ivory tinted walls and exquisite carved brass balustrade on the staircase and gallery, unite in making up a most artistic effect, on which the sunshine glinting through the stained glass roof adds an additional charm. In this hall the furniture is all antique Venetian, and the pictures are mostly by famed English and foreign artists. The library, a finely proportioned room, is remarkable for its collection of splendid statuary and inlaid marble tables, as well as for the hundreds of valuable volumes with which its walls are lined. The drawing room is decorated in French style, the general prevailing tone being grey and gold; the walls are hung with pale grey satin brocade. Exquisite old French brocade covers the white and gold furniture. Everywhere some lovely cabinet, carving or picture, charms the visitor. Amongst some wonderful tables is one of mosaic, said to be more beautiful than its rival in the Vatican; round the edge is a wreath of lovely flowers, while the centre is occupied with a group of three doves on the edge of a bowl of water, in which is depicted the most delicate reflection of one of the birds. Much of the furniture of the halls and drawing rooms were made for George IV, when Prince of Wales, and bought by the present owner’s father.”

Sources

1. ↑ De Vlieger, Rev. A. “Historical and Genealogical Records of the Coote Family”, Lausanne: Bridel, 1900, pages 94-98
2. ↑ Added by Des Lynch on 18 October 2019