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Silver trowel first presented over 100 years ago is bought back by parish

 

A valuable silver trowel which had been presented to a dignitary at the laying of the foundation stone of a Church of Ireland rectory over 100 years ago, has been discovered for sale on eBay and bought back by the parish.

The silver trowel had been presented to the 7th Earl of Lanesborough at the laying of the foundation stone of the Church of Ireland rectory in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh.

The intriguing tale of the trowel began in January this year when the rector of Galloon Parish, Newtownbutler, the Revd Anita Kerr, received an email from a member of Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, who said that while browsing on eBay, he had came across the presentation trowel which originated from Galloon.

He was keen to see the trowel returned and had contacted her who forwarded the email to Mr Bert Robinson, the Glebe Warden.

Revd Kerr explained; 'Bert was most enthusiastic and our thanks to Bert for researching the history of our Presentation trowel and acting so promptly to see the trowel returned to the parish.

'The Newtownbutler trowel was presented to the Earl of Lanesborough(surname Butler) after laying the foundation stone of the rectory in Newtownbutler on April 11 1914. This solid silver trowel with all the silver hall marks was made by Hilliard and Thomason in 1883 in Birmingham. The handle is either ivory or bone.

'The inscription on the trowel reads: PRESENTED BY THE SELECT VESTRY OF GALLOON PARISH TO MAJOR THE RIGHT HON THE EARL OF LANESBOROUGH ON THE OCCASION OF HIS LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW RECTORY NEWTOWNBUTLER 11 APRIL 1914''

There appears to be a lapse of 29 years between making the trowel and its presentation.

'It was presented to the 7th Earl of Lanesborough who lived in Lanesborough Lodge at Quivy near Belturbet. This house was burned during the 1920s troubles and is now only a ruin. The Lanesborough surname was Butler and they were very prominent in the Cavan and Fermanagh area.

'The 8th Earl who was Major Henry Cavendish Butler lived for some time on Inish Rath Island opposite the New Bridges going to Derrylin,' Revd Kerr said.

Bert recalled: 'As a young boy I remember him reading the lessons in the church in Derrylin on Sundays for Revd Canon Grant.'

His son, Denis Anthony Brian Butler, the 9th Earl died in 1998 with no male issue so the title is now gone.

Revd Kerr continued: 'Bert spoke to some of the church members who showed great interest in retrieving the Newtownbutler trowel. It is part of our history and complements the original plans which we have and also the books of quotations which were contributed to and bought by supporters as a fundraiser at the time of the building of the Rectory.

'The seller was contacted and after some negotiating we were able to make a deal. This presentation trowel was anonymously purchased as a gift to the Parish.'

Revd Kerr has expressed her gratitude to those who contributed to the purchase of the Newtownbutler Presentation Trowel.


The silver trowel