Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor

File:Bernard Ward.jpg

Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor (18 August 1719 – 20 May 1781),{{cite book | last = Lodge | first = Edmund | title = The Genealogy of the Existing British Peerage | url = https://archive.org/details/genealogyofexist01lodg | publisher = Saunder and Otley | edition = 6th | location = London | year = 1838 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/genealogyofexist01lodg/page/38 38] }} was an Irish politician and peer.

Background

He was the only surviving son of Michael Ward of Castle Ward, County Down, one of the justices of the Court of King's Bench, and his wife Anne Catharina Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton of Bangor and Lady Sophia Mordaunt.

Life and career

Ward entered the Irish House of Commons in 1745, representing County Down, the same constituency his father had represented, until 1770,{{cite web | url = http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm | title = Leigh Rayment - Irish House of Commons 1692-1800 | accessdate = 13 August 2009 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090601105535/http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm | archive-date = 1 June 2009 }} when he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Bangor, of Castle Ward, in the County of Down.{{ London Gazette | issue = 11043 |page=3 | date = 15 May 1770 }} In 1761, he was also elected for Killyleagh and in 1768 for Bangor, however, chose not to sit both times. Ward was further honoured in 1781, when he was created Viscount Bangor, of Castle Ward, in the County of Down.{{ London Gazette | issue = 12146 |page=2 | date = 19 December 1780 }}

Family

In December 1747, he married Lady Ann Magill, daughter of John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley, and his wife Theodosia Bligh, 10th Baroness Clifton (the widow of Robert Magill of Gill Hall), and had by her four sons and four daughters:{{cite book | last = Debrett | first = John | publisher = G. Woodfall | edition = 17th | title = Debrett's Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | volume = II | year = 1828 | location = London | pages = 785 }}

Nicholas Ward, 2nd Viscount Bangor (1750–1827)
John Ward, died young
Hon. Edward Ward (1753–1812)
Hon. Robert Ward (1754–1831)
Hon. Anna Catharine Ward
Hon. Sophia Ward
Hon. Amelia Ward, married Rev. Hugh Montgomery
Hon. Harriet Ward

Ward died, aged 61, at his seat Castle Ward.{{cite web | url = http://thepeerage.com/p7581.htm#i75808 | title = ThePeerage - Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor | accessdate = 13 August 2009 }} He was succeeded in his titles by his oldest son Nicholas, later placed under disability due to insanity.{{cite book | last = Sylvanus | first = Urban | title = The Gentleman's Magazine | location = London | publisher = J. B. Nicholls | year = 1827 | pages = 463 | volume = part II }} Both his third son, Edward, and fourth son, Robert, sat in the Parliament of Ireland.{{cite web | url = http://www.proni.gov.uk/introduction_ward_papers.pdf | title = Public Record Office of Northern Ireland - Ward Papers | accessdate = 13 August 2009 }}

Ward undertook the reconstruction of Castle Ward in the early 1760s, blending elements of both classical and Gothic architectural styles. This design was a reflection of a compromise between the viscount's preference for classical architecture and his wife's affinity for the Gothic style. Additionally, Ward expanded the estate by acquiring adjoining land and transformed it into a more spacious layout, incorporating features like a deer park.