Somerville House backdrop for contents auction by Usher

Works by Eileen Gray and Vanessa Bell feature in online sale

Usher of Kells brings to the market the contents of Somerville House, Kentstown, in their final auction of the year, which takes place on Monday 1st December. The last time an auction was held in the house was over 30 years ago for the previous owners, the late Oliver Usher conducted the sale, according to Robert Usher. It is an important sale of the house's contents, along with some select items from other valued clients. Viewing will take place at the house itself, a fabulous setting, and the quality of the furniture, artwork, collectibles, and unique antique items is a testament to it, Robert adds.

The sale includes a notable collection of Georgian and Victorian furniture, Irish silver, high-quality carpets and rugs, mirrors, clocks, a large selection of garden furniture and statuary, wines, chandeliers, notable sculpture and artwork Vanessa Bell, John Behan, Marc Aldine, Norman Teeling, Patrick Reel, a Paul Henry signed postcard, a George IV three pod mahogany dining table, Regency demilune mahogany hunt social table, club fenders, and many other additional items of interest, including a desk lamp by Eileen Gray.

The auction will be on view at the house. Viewing times are Friday 28th November, 12pm-5pm, Saturday 29th: 12pm-5pm, Sunday 30th: 12pm-5pm and Monday 1st December, 12pm-4pm. Bidding is from 6pm on Monday evening.

Somerville House at Balrath, near Kentstown, was erected for Sir James Somerville in the early eighteenth century. The Somervilles originally settled in Fermanagh at the time of the Ulster Plantation. Thomas Somerville purchased 1066 acres in Meath from the Forfeited Estates Court after the Battle of the Boyne.

In 1729 James Somerville became MP for Dublin City, a position he held until his death in 1748. In 1736 he was appointed Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Shortly before his death James Somerville was made Baron of Somerville, Co Meath in 1748.

His grandson, Sir James Quaile Somerville, third baron, erected the church tower and planted the avenue of lime trees.

He was succeeded by his son, Sir Marcus Somerville, MP for Meath in the Irish Parliament in 1800 and in London Parliament 1801-31. From his election of 1826 there is an itemised bill for the entertainment of voters at a Trim inn.

Sir Marcus provided room and board for the voters at the Trim inn and provided raw whiskey, punch, a free shave and haircut.

He had trouble keeping the piper sober to play for his voters, according to historian Noel French.

His son, William Meredyth Somerville, born about 1802 became first Baron Athlumney.

In 1832 William married Lady Maria Henrietta Conyngham, daughter of Henry Conyngham, Marquess of Conyngham and his wife Elizabeth, who had been mistress to George IV. William served as Paid Attaché at Berlin, 1829-32. Educated at Oxford, Sir William was returned to Parliament for Drogheda in 1837, a seat he held until 1852, and served under the Liberal Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, as Chief Secretary of Ireland from 1847 to 1852, during the worst of the Famine. He became MP for Canterbury in 1854 and continued as its MP until 1865.

In 1863 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Athlumney of Somerville and Dollardstown and in 1866 he was created Baron Meredyth of Dollardstown.

The Somerville family held part of the townland of Athlumney which gave them their title. The water spout with the lion’s head at Kentstown was erected by Sir William Somerville.

The water supply is said to come from Trinity Well in the nearby woods. He had only one surviving son, James Herbert Gustavus Meredyth Somerville, born March 1865. He died at Dover in 1873 and was buried in Kentstown churchyard.

In 1876 Lord Athlumney of Somerville held 10,213 acres in County Meath and 274 acres in County Dublin.

James served in the Coldstream Guards and was with Kitchener in Egypt. When James was 53 he married a young Australian, Margery Honor Boan, but died without children 10 years later, 1929.

He was buried in Kentstown Churchyard and with him died the titles Baron Somerville and Baron Athlumney.

Somerville was inherited by Quentin Agnew, nephew by marriage to Sir James Somerville, sixth baronet and second and final Lord Athlumney.

He took the name Somerville in 1950 but later sold the estate. The estate was broken up in the 1950s into six farms.

A former Naval officer Sir Quentin pursued a career as an insurance consultant. His daughter Geraldine Somerville, who was born in Co Meath, is an actress and has starred in the Harry Potter movies as Lily, Harry’s mother, according to Noel French.