Overview of the House History
Construction of Merville House began in 1795 by John Brown (c.1730-1800), a distinguished banker and merchant from Belfast, who had leased around 24 acres (97,000 m2) of the ancient townland of Drumnadrough from Arthur Chichester 5th Earl of Donegall.
People of Merville House
The house was originally rented to Doctor James Blair (C1756 – 1820 ) in 1801 for £200 a year (Wages: 1333 days (skilled tradesman (In 1800 only the most skilled weavers and an excess of 10 shillings a week.) and sold to him in 1805 for . Dr Blair was originally from Newry (PRONI Reference D971/42/A/1/4). He married Dorothea Shaw Ogilvie, she was originally from the Larne area. James Blair passed away in 1820 and is buried in Newry.
Lieutenant Colonel John Rowan moved into Merville after marrying Dorothea, who was his second wife in 1823. He was an officer in the Antrim Militia and fought against the United Irishmen Rebellion in 1798 in the counties of Wicklow and Waterford. His brother Charles was one of the founding commissioners of the Metropolitan Police and another brother, Sir William Rowan was Britain’s Commander-in-Chief in North America in 1849. The Rowan Family where from mount Davy near Aghohill. During his time at Merville, Rowan refurbished the house with the help of leading Belfast architect Thomas Jackson which included the construction of the gate lodge. Dorothea passed away at Merville on 10th March 1849.
In October 1849 Edward Coey bought Merville for £4500 around £428,400 today. This was towards the end of the famine. (1845 – bleachers earned an average of 8s a week and weavers 7s]) Coey represented St Georges Ward, Belfast as a councillor and was the only Liberal Mayor of Belfast in 1861. He was also knighted around the same time and was granted his coat of arms. Coey also did extensive upgrades of Merville including the window at the head of the grand staircase with his coat of arms.
Merville in World War II and Beyond
When World War II broke out, the Government commandeered Merville from the Robinson family to be used for “movement montrol” of British forces Mary Coey was stationed in Merville House during the war and apparently was always shouting at people bring the dirty boot into the house especially the American that where billeted outside.
From 1952-58 Merville House was the meeting place of the Belfast Rural District Council and then was used as a community facility, eventally the house started to age due to lack of benefactors and had to be closed in 2003 due to health and safety issues
Merville House has undergone a £1.2m renovation and is now an important part of local Newtownabbey community life. Officially re-opened on 27 April 2006 by the prominent Belfast community activist Baroness Blood.
Merville in a Nutshell by James Lynn
Merville conjures up a fascination for many people. With its origins dating back to 1795 in the Georgian Era, it is a place brimming with a phenomenal historical heritage. The wealthy Belfast banker, businessman and shipowner, John Brown (c.1750-1808), who made his name as a partner in the 'Bank of the Four Johns' Belfast banking enterprise, cultivated the estate to serve as his country retreat. In time, Merville became one of the most prestigious addresses on the main road from Belfast to Carrickfergus, particularly during the 19th century. Other residents of Merville include shipowner, James Blair (c.1750-1820), Army Officer and one-time High Sheriff of County Antrim, Lieutenant-Colonel John Rowan (1778-1855), the first and only Liberal Mayor of Belfast and businessman, Sir Edward Coey (1805-87), elected politician, Edward Coey JP (1847-1923), leading food provision retailer, Fred C. Robinson (1872-1934), and Queen's University Belfast academic, Professor James Eadie Todd FRHistS (1885-1949). Due to its strategic location and close proximity to Belfast, Merville was commandeered by the UK Ministry of Defence during the Second World War for use as a military barracks. Local Government authority Belfast Rural District Council was temporarily based in the original mansion, Merville House, during 1952-53. The house was properly restored by Merville Residents' Association in an ambitious multimillion pound scheme between 2000 and 2006 initiated and headed by its chairperson, Patricia Pepper MBE, to be used as a community and cultural venue. It was believed to be the biggest conservation heritage project of its kind to be carried out in Northern Ireland, especially at grassroots level, for many years. The restored Merville House was formally inaugurated by prominent Belfast community leader, Baroness May Blood MBE (1938-2022), in a special ceremony on 27 April 2006.
Merville Garden Village has a uniquely colourful backstory. Master builder, Thomas Arlow McGrath (1896-1988), was the motivating force behind the 'Garden Village' developments in Northern Ireland. To achieve his ambition, he established Ulster Garden Villages Limited on 17 December 1946. His Merville project was built within the period 1947 and 1949. The first houses were officially opened by The Right Honourable William Grant MP (1883-1949), Stormont minister for Health and Local Government, on 26 September 1947. Following Merville, McGrath constructed Abbots Cross, Princes Park, King's Park, Fernagh, Muckamore, and Whitehead Garden Villages. The preeminent British architect and town planner, E. Prentice Mawson FRIBA MTPI (1885-1954), was draftsperson of the Garden Villages. Because of the aesthetics in the architecture and historical significance, Merville Garden Village was given Conservation Area status by the then Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland on 23 June 1995. Merville Garden Village holds the title of being the first location in the Newtownabbey Borough Council jurisdiction to be conferred the protective built heritage classification. Many distinguished people set up home in the Garden Village over the years. Not surprisingly, it remains one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods within the sprawling modern-day borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey.
Arthur Chichester 5th Earl of Donegall