The year 1826 stands out as a landmark in the history of Co Louth. The Catholic Association had already unfurled its banner in the South and Stuart of Dromara had been returned for Waterford against the whole power of the Beresfords
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A fascinating mystery involves the Ruxton/Fitzherbert intermarriage which is even more confusing than I had outlined above as William Ruxton, the Surgeon General in 1754 purchased Blackcastle (Registry of deeds Dublin) - presumably Letitia’s sons got it back. I'm indebted to Trevor Fitzherbert of Swynnerton (current spelling) for the following narrative. Taken from Co Louth Archaelogical archives
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The Taaffe family came from nearby Smarmore Castle, having arrived from Wales in the early 1300s. Successive generations of Taaffes continued to make Smarmore Castle their main residence in Ireland until the mid-1980s when the property was sold.
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