My ancestors - Orpen - Contents

Richard Orpen, of Killowen, Co.Kerry

Richard Orpen,
born 1652,
of The White House, Killowen townland, just outside Kenmare, Co.Kerry.
He was agent for Sir William Petty, who had a vast estate at Kenmare.
Petty built The White House for his agent Orpen.
Petty died in 1687.
Richard mar before 1688 to Isabella Palmer [dau of Rev. Thomas Palmer].

Siege of The White House, Jan-Feb 1689:
The White House was made into a fort in the uncertain time at the start of the Williamite War in Ireland.
In Jan 1689, the local Protestant families took refuge in The White House, and fortified it. Their leaders were Richard Orpen and his father-in-law Rev. Thomas Palmer.
On 25 Feb 1689, 3,000 Irish soldiers commanded by Phelim McCarthy came and besieged The White House.
Richard Orpen and the other Protestants were forced to surrender.
Richard escaped to England.

He managed to return to Ireland in 1690.
He fought for the Williamite army at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690.
He retired to Killowen.
He died 1716.

Richard and Isabella had issue.
They are ancestors of Sir William Orpen, the painter (born 1878).

The White House, near Kenmare

The White House (in ruins) near Kenmare on 1887 to 1913 map.

Ruin of The White House, near Kenmare.
From The Lawrence Photograph Collection. From here.
See other shot. From here.
Some ruin seems to survive today. See modern satellite view.

References

THE WHITE HOUSE in [Houses of Kerry, p.244].
Palmer in pp.257-262 of [MGH] 2nd series, vol.1.

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