Passing of Johnny Bellingham marks the end of an era

The recent death of John Stuart (Johnny) Bellingham of Glencara, Rathconrath, Mullingar, marks the end of an era in the area. A well-liked and highly respected member of the community, he passed away on December 10, aged 94 years, in the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, after a short illness.

Deputy Robert Troy, TD, has paid tribute to his long-standing friend, whom he described as a remarkable man, a well-read and well respected academic, yet a man who was grounded in his community and deeply passionate about farming. He was a very good living and charitable person, Deputy Troy said.

He remarked that Johnny was proud of his nephew the Lord Henry Bellingham on being elected an MP and then being elevated to the House of Lords, even if he did not always agree with his politics. He extended his sympathy to Johnny’s wife Fiona and family.

Johnny Bellingham farmed at Glencara and Rathtrim, near Rathconrath, and at Howth, Dublin. He also ran a successful stud and bred several winners. He was involved in the ISPCA, the local church and the Sovereign Order of Malta. From 1997 to 2000 he served as the Sovereign Order of Malta Ambassador to Egypt.

In his youth, Johnny studied at Eton and Cambridge Colleges. He joined the British Army in 1952 and served in Berlin as an interpreter. He went on to study in Paris and became a qualified archaeologist, leading excavations all over the Middle East. He remained in Paris until his father died in 1969, at which point he returned to Westmeath to farm cattle and manage his stud farm.

Johnny bred a number of Group winners including Rathconrath, who won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Glencara, who came second in the Irish Oaks. In the early 1970s he was Joint Master of the Westmeath Hunt.

He was held in high esteem by many in the area who worked for him over the years and will be remembered for his lavish garden parties, to which he invited his employees and neighbours.

In 1988 Johnny married Fiona Nugent, the daughter of Sir Peter Nugent, one of the most respected bloodstock auctioneers of his time.

Johnny was beloved husband of Fiona, adored uncle of the Lord Henry Bellingham and Alison, and great uncle of Jamie, Joshua and William. His funeral is at the Church of The Assumption, Howth, Dublin, at noon on Thursday, December 21. All enquiries to Kirwans, Fairview, Dublin (01 833 4444/info@kirwans.ie).