GUINNESS, Hon Desmond Walter (1931-20 Aug 2020)
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Richard R
Aug 21, 2020, 5:18:50 AM8/21/20
to Peerage News
He was s of 2nd Baron MOYNE (1905-92) and Hon Diana FREEMAN-MITFORD (1910-2003, having m 2nd Sir Oswald Mosley 6th Bt) one of the (in)famous 'Mitford sisters' and d of 2nd Baron REDESDALE (1878-1958 gs of 5th Earl of AIRLIE (1826-81)) and Sydney (1880-1963) d of Thomas Gibson BOWLES MP (1844-1922) and Jessica GORDON (c1852-1887). He m 1st 1954 (div 1981) Marie Gabrielle (1932-1989) d of Albrect Prince von URACH etc (1903-69) etc and his w Rosemary BLACKADDER (1901-75), and had a son and a dau. He m 2nd 1985 Penelope M Z (b 1943 reg Q4 London) d of Graham Maidment CUTHBERTSON (1911-?1965) by his 1940 m (reg Q2 Middx) to Teresa M JUNGMAN (1908-2010).
From the Irish Independent 20 Aug 2020:
Desmond Guinness, co-founder of Irish Georgian Society, dies aged 88
Desmond Guinness, a co- founder of the Irish Georgian Society and a descendent of the Guinness brewing dynasty, has died at the age of 88.
Mr Guinness, who bought Leixlip Castle and lived in it for decades where he hosted rock stars like Mick Jagger, Bob Geldolf and Phil Lynott, was a ‘quiet, unassuming gentleman,’ according to local Leixlip councillor Joe Neville (FG).
Along with hosting rock concerts at the castle , featuring such acts at The Rolling Stones, The Boomtown Rats and Thin Lizzy, Mr Guinness was very much a local hero whose impact on the area went back generations, Mr Neville told Independent.ie.
“He had a local impact going back decades,” he said.
He founded the local Tidy Towns committee back in the 1960s and was very much interested in preserving heritage sites such as Castletown House in Celbridge, Co Kildare, which he bought when it was in a state of decay and restored it before it was bought by the OPW and is now a local landmark, he said.
While he would “happily hang out with Mick Jagger” he would also be a regular at local council meetings and always made sure he gave his custom to local businesses in Leixlip, Mr Neville said.
“He always asked for a window seat at a local restaurant so he could happily sit back and watch the world go by,” he added.
“He was a very gentle, soft and friendly character, very unassuming,” he said.
“He was a gent.”
The Irish Georgian Society, which announced the news of Mr Guinness’s passing on its website this evening, also spoke fondly of him and the legacy he left behind.
Describing him as a “Conservation Hero” the society said:
“We are indebted to his legacy in founding the Irish Georgian Society in 1958, together with the late Mariga Guinness. He boldly championed the cause of Ireland's architectural heritage at a time when it faced great challenges through neglect and the threat of demolition from new development.”
“In spite of hostility in some quarters, through his ardent campaigning, educating and working to save numerous buildings we are surrounded by a rich legacy of historic buildings saved to be celebrated as an integral part of our culture and identity. He has inspired us all and, for the thousands of members and supporters of the Irish Georgian Society at home and abroad, Desmond has truly been a Conservation Hero.”
Mr Guinness was a great-great-great-great grandson of Guinness brewery founder Arthur Guinness, who was born in Celbridge but introduced the world to his famous pint at the Salmon Leap pub in Leixlip.
As an heir to the Guinness brewing fortune, Mr Guinness used his wealth to help establish the Georgian Society in 1958 to save a number of Georgian houses at Kildare Place in Dublin from the wrecker’s ball. His late wife Mariga Guinness co-founded the society.
Catherine Martin, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, also paid tribute to him on Twitter this evening.
“Really sorry to hear news that Desmond Guinness has died, the wonderful public treasure of Castletown House is part of his legacy as is The Irish Georgian Society. My sympathies to his family and friends,” she wrote.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/desmond-guinness-co-founder-of-irish-georgian-society-dies-aged-88-39466611.html
From the Irish Independent 20 Aug 2020:
Desmond Guinness, co-founder of Irish Georgian Society, dies aged 88
Desmond Guinness, a co- founder of the Irish Georgian Society and a descendent of the Guinness brewing dynasty, has died at the age of 88.
Mr Guinness, who bought Leixlip Castle and lived in it for decades where he hosted rock stars like Mick Jagger, Bob Geldolf and Phil Lynott, was a ‘quiet, unassuming gentleman,’ according to local Leixlip councillor Joe Neville (FG).
Along with hosting rock concerts at the castle , featuring such acts at The Rolling Stones, The Boomtown Rats and Thin Lizzy, Mr Guinness was very much a local hero whose impact on the area went back generations, Mr Neville told Independent.ie.
“He had a local impact going back decades,” he said.
He founded the local Tidy Towns committee back in the 1960s and was very much interested in preserving heritage sites such as Castletown House in Celbridge, Co Kildare, which he bought when it was in a state of decay and restored it before it was bought by the OPW and is now a local landmark, he said.
While he would “happily hang out with Mick Jagger” he would also be a regular at local council meetings and always made sure he gave his custom to local businesses in Leixlip, Mr Neville said.
“He always asked for a window seat at a local restaurant so he could happily sit back and watch the world go by,” he added.
“He was a very gentle, soft and friendly character, very unassuming,” he said.
“He was a gent.”
The Irish Georgian Society, which announced the news of Mr Guinness’s passing on its website this evening, also spoke fondly of him and the legacy he left behind.
Describing him as a “Conservation Hero” the society said:
“We are indebted to his legacy in founding the Irish Georgian Society in 1958, together with the late Mariga Guinness. He boldly championed the cause of Ireland's architectural heritage at a time when it faced great challenges through neglect and the threat of demolition from new development.”
“In spite of hostility in some quarters, through his ardent campaigning, educating and working to save numerous buildings we are surrounded by a rich legacy of historic buildings saved to be celebrated as an integral part of our culture and identity. He has inspired us all and, for the thousands of members and supporters of the Irish Georgian Society at home and abroad, Desmond has truly been a Conservation Hero.”
Mr Guinness was a great-great-great-great grandson of Guinness brewery founder Arthur Guinness, who was born in Celbridge but introduced the world to his famous pint at the Salmon Leap pub in Leixlip.
As an heir to the Guinness brewing fortune, Mr Guinness used his wealth to help establish the Georgian Society in 1958 to save a number of Georgian houses at Kildare Place in Dublin from the wrecker’s ball. His late wife Mariga Guinness co-founded the society.
Catherine Martin, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, also paid tribute to him on Twitter this evening.
“Really sorry to hear news that Desmond Guinness has died, the wonderful public treasure of Castletown House is part of his legacy as is The Irish Georgian Society. My sympathies to his family and friends,” she wrote.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/desmond-guinness-co-founder-of-irish-georgian-society-dies-aged-88-39466611.html
Richard R
Aug 22, 2020, 12:58:06 AM8/22/20
to Peerage News
From the Telegraph of 22 Aug 2020: GUINNESS Desmond (Leixlip Castle, Ireland), 8th September 1931 - 20th August 2020. Much loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Co-founder of the Irish Georgian Society. May he rest in peace.
Times obit 22 Aug 2020: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/desmond-guinness-obituary-lw0gtljxj
dpth...@gmail.com
Aug 22, 2020, 8:16:58 AM8/22/20
to Peerage News
The Telegraph announcement is the same as one appearing in The Irish Times, 20 August 2020.
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