Maol Eoin, which soon became Malone—the former signifying bald, the latter John. This branch had estates conquered for them out of the territories of the chief of Westmeath by their royal relative of the long head not far from the modern town of Athlone; and there their descendants continue.
From a junior branch of this race, which for some generations had practised the higher branch of law, sprang the subject of our notice. His grandfather, Richard, while yet a student in London, had been sent on a mission to Holland by King William, on the recommendation of his friend, Ruvigny, Earl of Galway; and afterward gained wealth and celebrity at the Irish bar. Four sons pursued the same profession in the same place during the career of the father; so that the family enjoyed a species of monopoly of the courts.[1]
- ↑ The family seat was purchased by this gentleman, of which the following account is given in Brewer’s Beauties of Ireland:—“Baronstown, on the banks of Lough Iron, is the splendid seat of Richard Malone, Esq., inherited by this gentleman from his relative the late Right Honourable Richard Malone Lord Sunderlin, who died without issue. The name of this place is derived from its ancient proprietors, the family of Nangle, Palatine Barons of Navan. The estate was purchased of that family by Richard Malone, Esq., father of the celebrated forensic orator Anthony Malone, and of Edmond, the father of Lord Sunderlin. Baronstown House is a capacious edifice of stone, chiefly built by the late Lord Sunderlin, under whose tasteful direction the demesne was enlarged and enriched with extensive plantations. . . . .
“At Kilbixy, on the Baronstown estate, and in view of Mr. Malone’s mansion, is a small but beautiful church, erected under the auspices of the late Lord Sunderlin. This structure is a very estimable example of the successful imitation in modern times of the florid style of pointed architecture, and will, we trust, remain to a very late posterity a proof of the exquisite taste and magnificence of its noble founder. Kilbixy (locally pronounced Kilbisky) formerly contained a castle, and an Hospital for Lepers, of which last building some remains are still visible.” — Brewer’s Beauties of Ireland.
