Partry History in Co. Mayo

The village of Partry is the location of the 17th Century charming building called Partry House.

This historic building is set on 250 acres of scenic landscape on the shores of Lough Carra.

The grounds of Partry House are open to the public during the summer months and to find out more about this unique and secluded estate, visit our link below:

Partry House was where the Lynch brothers, Thomas and Henry, grew up in the early 19th century. Below is an article which documents the eventful lives of the two Mayo brothers.

From Partry to Persia

Henry Blosse Lynch and his brother Thomas Kerr Lynch of Partry House Ballinrobe, were born in 1807 and 1818 respectively, sons of Major Henry Blosse Lynch. Their father served in the 73rd Regiment and the boys grew up on his 1,500 acre estate north of Ballinrobe.

In 1823 Henry became a midshipman in the Indian Navy and served in the survey of the Persian Gulf where he availed himself of the opportunity to learn Arabic and Persian. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1829 and made interpreter to the Gulf squadron. Five years later he was appointed second-in-command to Col. F.R. Chesney on an expedition to explore the Euphrates route to India.

In 1837 Henry was placed in command of the expedition and ascended the Tigris to Bagdad, a feat of navigation never before accomplished, for which he was made a member of the Order of the Lion and the Sun of Persia. He was joined by his younger brother on the expedition. Thomas went on to establish a steamer service on the Tigris linking Baghdad with India.

Henry was stationed at Beles on the Euphrates and at Baghdad until 1851. Next he commanded a squadron of the Indian Navy during the second Burmese War. He retired in 1856 and settled in Paris. At the end of the Persian War of 1856-7 he was delegated to conduct the peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in March 1857.

In the meantime Thomas travelled extensively throughout Mesopotamia and Persia and was appointed Consul-General for Persia in London. In recognition of their services, Henry was nominated by the Shah to the Highest Order of the Lion and the Sun and Thomas was made a Knight of the Order of the Lion and the Sun. Henry died at his home in Paris in 1873 and Thomas died in London in 1891.

from South Mayo Family Research Centre Journal

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