William Alcock. John's body was waked for a week at the family residence in Wexford town, situated at the present entrance to White's Hotel. John was buried at Tintern, presumably in the family vault following a funeral said to have been the largest ever seen in that part of Ireland. His fiancĂŠ died some years later and her funeral took the form of a torchlit procession at midnight to the Alcock family mansion. John was one of four members of the Colclough family to have been killed in a duel. The estate was inherited by another Caesar Colclough. This Caesar returned from political exile in France after the abdication of Napolean in 1814 and became MP for Wexford. In 1812 John Bernard Trotter, a visitor to the estate, wrote that there 'were some signs of decay in the village', presumably the decay worsened and looking towards improving the estate, Caesar relocated the old village of Tintern to nearby Saltmills, thus establishing the village that exists today. From about 1818 until his death in 1842 Caesar was an absentee landlord, spending most of his time between England and France. It was strongly suspected that Caesars wife, Jane Kirwan, who had come to dominate his every move, was also responsible for his death. It was believed by many that Jane had poisoned her husband and in doing so ended the male line. The Great Lawsuits ensued bringing financial demands and hardships from which Tintern never recovered. One outcome of the court proceedings was the declaration that, through the male line, the Canadian Mary Colclough was the rightful owner of the estate.
The last of the line, Mary's granddaughter Lucie Marie, inherited Tintern in 1912 and continued to live in the old abbey but times had changed, the finances had run dry, and by 1959 the vast majority of the land had been sold to the Land Commission. Having lived in the family residence for 70 years the decision was taken to move to nearby Saltmills, the village founded by her ancestor. In 1983 Lucie Marie Biddulph Colclough, known for her quiet compassion, her music and her interest in her Church, died in Ely House, Wexford. Today the area surrounding Tintern Abbey is a haven for wildlife, an amenity for recreation and a space for quiet contemplation. The woodlands established and bequeathed by the family are managed on behalf of the people of Ireland by Coillte. The restoration of the walled garden is progressing under the management and vision of Hook Tourism. The original layout of the garden has been reinstated as it was in 1838. The recent upgrade of facilities, including tea-rooms, has further enhanced the visitor experience and the abbey is open seven days per week until 02 November from 10.00 to 17.00 with last admissions at 16.15. A small admission fee applies. Visitors holding an OPW heritage card or an annual pass to the nearby Colclough Walled Gardens receive free admission to the abbey. The OPW guides delight in conducting tours of this fascinating site and are waiting to welcome you! http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/ south-east/tinternabbey/ www.heritageireland.ie
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