Mount Congreve 5.12

Mount Congreve is an 18th-century Georgian estate and mansion situated near the village of Kilmeaden in County Waterford, Ireland. The architect was John Roberts, a Waterford-based architect who subsequently designed and built most of the 18th-century public buildings in Waterford, including both cathedrals. The House is situated close to the Southern bank of the River Suir approximately 7 kilometres from Waterford City. It overlooks County Kilkenny to the North.Background and historyThe Congreve family originated in Staffordshire which was their principal seat from the 14th century. The first of the family to settle in the Waterford area was the Rev John Congreve (1654-1710). His grandson and heir, John Congreve had Mount Congreve built in 1760 a number of years after holding the position of the High Sheriff of County Waterford.Mount Congreve then remained the residence of 6 successive generations of the Congreve family until the death of Ambrose Congreve at the age of 104 in 2011. The successive holders of the estate from 1760 were as follows: John Congreve married Mary Ussher in 1758 and had Mount Congreve built in 1760. His son, Ambrose Ussher Congreve ( - d1809) married Anne Jenkins. His son, John Congreve (b1801 d1863) married Louisa Harriet Dillon, daughter of Luke Dillon, 2nd Baron Clonbrock. His son, Ambrose Congreve III (b1832 -d1901) married Alice Elizabeth Dillon, daughter of Robert Dillon, 3rd Baron Clonbrock. His son, Major John Congreve (b1872 – d1957) married Lady Helena Blanche Irene Ponsonby, daughter of Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough. His son, Ambrose Christian Congreve (b1907-d2011) married Margaret Gholson Glasgow. Ambrose Christian Congreve died in 2011 and left the estate in trust to the Irish State. The contents of the house including the Mount Congreve Library collection were sold by public auction in May (London by Christie’s) and July (Waterford by Mealy’s) 2012.