Garret Moore, 1st Viscount Moore facts for kids

Garret Moore, 1st Viscount Moore (around 1564 – 1627) was an important Irish politician and nobleman. He was a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, a group of advisors to the King. He played a role in Irish history during a time of change and conflict.

Garret Moore's Family and Early Life

Garret Moore was born around 1564. His father was Sir Edward Moore, a respected knight who owned the lands of the former Mellifont Abbey in County Louth, Ireland. His mother was Elizabeth Clifford. Elizabeth had been married three times before, so Garret had several half-brothers from his mother's previous marriages. These included Edward Brabazon and Sir William Warren.

Starting His Career

After his father's death in 1581, Garret was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1599. This was a great honor. In 1601, he became a Seneschal (a type of local governor) for County Cavan. In 1602, he inherited his father's very large estates. Many of these lands were leased directly from the English Crown. Garret was a good friend of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, a powerful Irish leader. He even hosted important talks at his home, Mellifont, which led to the Treaty of Mellifont in 1603. This treaty helped end the Nine Years' War in Ireland.

Friendship and False Accusations

Even though Garret Moore was friends with the Earl of Tyrone, his loyalty to the King was always strong. However, after Tyrone left Ireland in 1607, Garret faced some serious false accusations. A nobleman named Christopher St Lawrence, 10th Baron Howth, who had a quarrel with Moore, accused him of working against the Crown. Lord Howth pushed these claims so strongly that the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Sir Arthur Chichester, had to place Moore under house arrest.

Garret Moore admitted that Tyrone had visited him at Mellifont just before leaving the country. But he firmly denied any wrongdoing. When Lord Howth was asked to provide proof, he refused. He even made a strange claim that he saw Moore trying to summon a demon! This made people doubt his story. The case was moved to England, and Garret Moore was completely cleared of all suspicion. Lord Howth then accused Chichester and Moore of trying to harm him. The Council, tired of Lord Howth's behavior, ordered him to go home in disgrace. Garret Moore, on the other hand, was assured that the King trusted him completely.

Later Political Life

In 1604, Garret Moore became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, advising the King on important matters. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Dungannon from 1613 to 1615. In 1615, he became the Lord President of Munster, an important role in governing that part of Ireland.

His achievements continued to be recognized. On July 20, 1616, he was given the title of Baron Moore of Mellifont. Then, on February 7, 1621, he received an even higher honor, becoming Viscount Moore of Drogheda. His main home was Mellifont Abbey, which stayed in his family until 1927. Today, it is a historic ruin.

Family and Descendants

Garret Moore married Mary Colley. Her father was Sir Henry Colley, and her grandfather was Sir Thomas Cusack, who was once the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Garret and Mary had twelve children together: three sons and nine daughters.

Their sons included:

• Charles, who became the 2nd Viscount after his father.
• Arthur (died 1635), who married Dorothy King and had children.

Their daughters included:

• Frances, who married Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh.
• Anne, who married Sir Faithful Fortescue, a well-known Royalist commander.
• Eleanor, who married Sir John Denham, a judge. Their son, also named John Denham, became a famous poet.

Garret Moore's grandson, Henry Moore, was later given the title of Earl of Drogheda in 1661.

After Garret Moore passed away in 1627, his wife Mary remarried Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot. Mary died in 1654 and was buried next to Garret in St. Peter's Church in Drogheda.

Images for kids

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  Mellifont Abbey, c.1755