• 2011 • 2010 • 2009 t Original Submissions against the Proposed Development   Archive News Database © Paul J Allen 2011 'As part of the celebrations for National Heritage Week a group of almost 100 people attended an illustrated talk on Hazelwood House. The lecture given by Dr Padraig Deignan, BA, MA, HDE, PIID, entitled Owen Wynne VI of Hazelwood The twilight of an Era, was at Sligo Park Hotel. The event was organised by Hazelwood Action Group to highlight the importance of Hazelwood House. The house was built in 1731 to the design of Richard Cassells. It was his first Palladian Villa in Ireland and was to be the architectural template from which he subsequently designed many other estate houses. The Wynne family who owned the large Hazelwood estate, were pioneers both in agricultural and forestry methods; as well as investing in the first steam sawmill in Ireland. The illustrated presentation took up the story of the Wynne family on the death of John Arthur Wynne and the succession of Owen VI to the Wynne estates in 1865. Under Owen VI the Hazelwood estate witnessed remarkable changes, the culmination  of continuous gradual political a d agrarian reforms which impacted significantly on the Protestant landlord class within his lifetime. He presided over the dismantling of Wynne power with changes in local and national government and although standing out as a popular and improving landlord he had to come to terms with the rise of the Land League and revolutionary agrarian organisations. Tragic family circumstances also played a major part in Owen VI's life. However  in the early part of the twentieth century he continued to improve forestry and farming at Hazelwood and participate in local  political groups, while making Hazelwood a ' popular venue for local sporting events and leaving Sligo a rich historical legacy. The enthusiastic discussion following the presentation generated a great deal of personal active involvement in the history and ongoing events in relation to Hazelwood House.  A large cross section of people with various interests contributed their own detailed knowledge and research on many aspects of the history of the Wynne family and the Hazelwood estate, which added immensely to the event and made it a very informative and enjoyable night demonstrating the great interest in the preservation of Hazelwood, this historic house, for future generations. Story of Historic House Told in Heritage Lecture Further Reports on ‘Heritage Week’ Can be Seen on Our Events’ (Click Above)