Recent Events

The Irish Tree Society

22nd May 2022

Around 35 members of the Irish Tree Society chaired by Thomas Pakenham visited the Finnebrogue gardens on May 22nd.  John McGrath supervises the grounds and led the group around the native and specimen trees. Tracy Hamilton commented, “the gardens looked great and John had gone to enormous trouble in advance clearing paths, strimming and mowing”. Recent plantings include a red oak (Quercus rubra), a tulip tree (liriodendron) and a gingko tree (gingko biloba). The Society presented a wonderful Magnolia Kobus as a token of its appreciation.

Queen’s Green Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee

October 2021

HRH the Duchess of Gloucester planted a tulip tree for the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark the Platinum Jubilee, Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.

Barbershop Quartet (Close Enough)

August 2021

Have you ever wondered what your friends were really up to during lockdown? Part of the answer comes in "That's what Zoom is for", a song by the Barbershop Quartet (Close Enough). Tom Eyre-Maunsell, Tom Rogers, Johnny Shipley and Edward Allen were all choral scholars at Oxford and have remained firm friends ever since. They sang in August to an audience of 100 in the hall in aid of Hope for Youth (NI) and raised considerable funds for the charity. The barbershop style is a four-part harmony without musical accompaniment, or a cappella.

The socially distanced audience was entertained to the George Formby song, "When I'm cleaning Windows", "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady", one of Groucho Marx's signature tunes.

During the evening a cheque was presented to Listening Ear, one of the year's projects for 11-18 year olds supported by Hope for Youth. The chairman spoke of the passion with which the project empowers young people and teaches them the value of non-judgemental listening to others. 

Inch Church fête

Saturday, June 1st  2019

On a fine June day around 400 attended the Inch parish church fête in the garden. There was tea on the lawn, a variety of stalls, plants and flowers, a cake stall, swing boats and other childrens’ activities.

The Rev Stephen Smyth did sterling work on the barbeque. A wonderful collection of local history was on display. Patrick and Patricia Cross had a set of photographs from the 1975 fête held at Finnebrogue with the Rev Donnelly.

Camarilla Ensemble concert

Saturday, May 25th 2019

The award winning wind quintet, the Camarilla Ensemble, held an evening of classical music in the saloon. It was part of their debut tour of Ireland. Winners of the Royal Overseas League Chamber Music Competition, the ensemble comprises flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn.  The concert for 100 guests included classical music inspired by humour and dance with works by Ravel, Mozart, Zemlinsky and Gershwin. The evening was rounded off with drinks and canapés in the hall and the front terrace

Visit of Ulster Architectural Heritage Society

Thursday May 24th  2018

Members of Ulster Architectural Heritage met at Finnebrogue on an idyllic May evening as part of their events series. They enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the house encompassing its history, the various changes that have taken place over the years, the restoration challenges faced, and a fascinating insight into process of bringing the house back to life. Drinks and canapés outside the house in the warm sunshine rounded off a perfect visit.

Visit of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art 

Friday 4th May 2018.

Members of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art from the United States visited the house on their tour of Ulster houses and gardens.

Historic Houses Association Annual General Meeting 

Tuesday July 4th 2017

The AGM for Northern Ireland took place at Finnebrogue with thirty five members of the HHA attending. James Birch, the HHA President gave a very clear outline of strategy and the direction for historic houses while Ben Cowell, the Director General brought everyone up to date with current events. Thanks to Gavin and Sarah Mackie for all their help with the organisation.

Beating Retreat in support of Hope for Youth (NI)

Friday June 23rd 2017.

June weather was kind and 200  friends and supporters of Hope for Youth (NI) gathered at Finnebrogue for a fundraising Beating Retreat.  The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment played a selection of music, both military and classical pieces.  We had a wide range of guests in the audience including the Lord Lieutenants for County Down and Belfast, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Richard Clarke and his predecessor, the Right Reverend Alan Harper, the Colonel of the Regiment and Commanding Officer of the Royal Dragoon Guards, members of the police and the local community.  The programme for the evening included the band playing Scipio by Handel, the Soldiers Chorus from Faust, the Army of the Nile and various cavalry marches. The Pipes and Drums played the Rowan Tree, the Green Hills of Tyrol and the Gael.

A huge thank you  to all our supporters for their most generous donations to the charity

Visit by Lecale & Down Historical Society

Monday June 19th 2017

Mr & Mrs Berkley Farr and Mr Walter Love brought forty members of the society for an evening tour of the House.

Waterloo dinner

Saturday, June 25, 2016. 

120 sat for dinner in the house, with a considerable sum raised for Hope for Youth (NI).  The charity promotes cross community projects for the young of Northern Ireland. The weather was kind, the wine was generously sponsored by Ricketty Bridge from South Africa and the dinner by Yellow Door. Local musicians added to the evening.

Visit by Historic Houses Association

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Historic Houses Association visited Finnebrogue for a tour of the house and lunch. Thirty five members of the HHA were hosted by the owner for a fully subscribed event.