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High Sheriff of Down facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The High Sheriff of Down is a very old and important job in County Down, Northern Ireland. Think of them as the King or Queen's special helper for legal matters in the county. They make sure that law and order are kept.

This role also involves some special ceremonies and administrative tasks. The High Sheriff helps carry out important orders from the High Court.

A Look Back: History of the High Sheriff

The idea of a "Sheriff" started a very long time ago, even before the Norman Conquest in 1066. This was during the time of the Saxon people in England. At first, a High Sheriff was chosen by the King or Queen for their whole life.

However, things changed in 1258. A set of rules called the Provisions of Oxford made it so that the High Sheriff would be chosen every year instead of for life. This made the job more fair and open.

In 1908, another big change happened. A new rule made the Lord-Lieutenant the main representative of the King or Queen in a county. This meant the High Sheriff's role became a bit less central. But even with this change, the High Sheriff still has important duties. They are still responsible for keeping law and order in their county.

The job of High Sheriff stopped existing in the counties that became part of the Irish Free State in 1922. But it is still an active and important role in the counties of Northern Ireland today.

High Sheriffs Through the Years

Many people have held the important position of High Sheriff of Down over the centuries. This role has been filled by various individuals who helped maintain law and order in the county. Here are a few examples from different periods:

Early Sheriffs

  • 1326: John Mandeville
  • 1610: Richard West
  • 1620: Nicholas Ward
  • 1656: Bernard Ward (son of Nicholas HS 1620)
  • 1669: William Waring of Waringstown
  • 1690: Bernard Ward (killed in duel, 1690)

18th Century Sheriffs

19th Century Sheriffs

  • 1800: Savage Hall of Narrow Water
  • 1811: William Sharman Crawford of Crawfordsburn
  • 1828: Francis Needham, 2nd Earl of Kilmorey
  • 1834: Earl of Hillsborough
  • 1864: Sir Thomas McClure, 1st Baronet
  • 1871: Francis Charles Needham, 3rd Earl of Kilmorey
  • 1883: Henry Lyle Mulholland, 2nd Baron Dunleath
  • 1899: William James Pirrie

20th Century Sheriffs

  • 1900: William Edward Montgomery of Grey Abbey
  • 1907: John Milne Barbour
  • 1913: Francis Charles Adelbert Henry Needham, 4th Earl of Kilmorey
  • 1929: J. M. Andrews of Maxwell Court, Comber
  • 1931: Charles Henry George Mulholland, 3rd Baron Dunleath of Ballywalter Park
  • 1949: Derek William Charles Keppel, Viscount Bury of Ros-Cuan
  • 1974: General Sir John Anderson of Ballyhossett, Downpatrick
  • 1999: Margaret E. Crawford of Saintfield

21st Century Sheriffs

  • 2000: Daphne Montgomery of Rosemount, Greyabbey, Newtownards
  • 2004: Mary Gordon Haughey, Ballyedmond Castle, Rostrevor
  • 2008: Alan Raymond Gillespie
  • 2014: Simon Brien
  • 2020: Austin Richard Baird of Holywood
  • 2023: Prof William Michael Mawhinney of Lisburn

Images for kids

  • 2ndEarlOfKilmorey

    The 2nd Earl of Kilmorey, who was High Sheriff in 1828.

  • Sirthomasmcclure

    Sir Thomas McClure, 1st Baronet, High Sheriff in 1864.

  • Francis Charles Needham, Vanity Fair, 1876-10-28

    Francis Charles Needham, 3rd Earl of Kilmorey, High Sheriff in 1871. This image was published in Vanity Fair magazine.

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