Walter Synnot (High Sheriff)

According to Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837): "The lands were heathy and barren previously to 1778, when Sir Walter Synnot erected a house and became a resident landlord; scarcely a tree or shrub was to be seen, and the agricultural implements were of the rudest kind.

He constructed good roads in the vicinity, planted forest trees to a considerable extent, and by his example and liberal encouragement of every improvement both as to their habitations and system of agriculture, affected a great change in the habits of the peasantry, and in the appearance of the country, which is now in an excellent state of cultivation, yielding abundant produce; the cultivation of green crops has been introduced, and is practised with success."

Ballymoyer House was described in the Parliamentary Gazetter of 1844 as follows: "The mansion built by Sir Walter Synnot and the demesne attached to it is laid out and planted in a tasteful style.

Three mountain streams after debouching from the glens of their upper course, unite in the lawn and form a scene both beautiful and romantic."

These children are featured in the painting by Joseph Wright of Derby, which was formerly at Ballymoyer but is now in the possession of the National Gallery of Victoria.