Blayney Townley-Balfour (Belturbet MP) facts for kids
Blayney Townley-Balfour (born May 28, 1769 – died December 22, 1856) was an important Irish politician. He was part of a group called the Protestant Ascendancy, which was a powerful social class in Ireland at the time.
About Blayney Townley-Balfour
Blayney Townley-Balfour came from an Irish branch of a family known as Clan Balfour. His grandfather, who was also named Blayney Townley-Balfour, was a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was like being a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Carlingford.
His Political Career
The younger Blayney Townley-Balfour followed in his grandfather's footsteps. In 1800, he became an MP for Belturbet. Besides being an MP, he held other important jobs. He was a magistrate for both County Louth and County Meath. This meant he helped keep law and order. In 1792, he was the High Sheriff of Louth, a very senior local official. Later, in 1852, he became a deputy Lord Lieutenant of Louth, which was another high-ranking position representing the Crown.
His Home and Projects
Blayney Townley-Balfour owned a large flour mill just outside a town called Slane. He also had a family home called Townley Hall, located between Drogheda and Slane. He hired a famous architect named Francis Johnston to rebuild and improve Townley Hall.
His Family Life
Blayney Townley-Balfour married Lady Florence Cole. She was the daughter of William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen. Together, they had ten children! Their oldest son, also named Blayney Townley-Balfour (born in 1799), became the Governor of the Bahamas from 1833 to 1835.
