The death has occurred on May 4, 2021 in London of Paddy Rossmore, aged 90. He made a distinguished contribution to Irish life and society.

His full name title was William Warner Westenra, 7th Baron Rossmore of the UK peerage. He was the head of the Westenra family, a name of Dutch origin,  whose main residence was at Rossmore Park outside Monaghan. While the late 19thc. house was demolished, the grounds and woodlands including giant redwoods are a major public recreational amenity managed by Monaghan County Council and Coillte.  

While resident in London he continued to maintain the family’s Irish connection. 

He became interested in drug problems from seeing friends get into difficulties. Inspired by Phoenix House in London he initiated the founding in 1973 of the Coolmine Therapeutic Community which was the first, and for almost a decade, the only voluntary body concerned with the treatment of addicts in Dublin. Its support came from the Eastern Health Board, from a range of other statutory sources and voluntary fundraising, and it continues its respected work.

He was an accomplished photographer. With the encouragement of the Irish Georgian Society he photographed buildings and houses over a number of decades. His beautifully lit black and white images are among the best of Irish county house interiors, and included places where the historic contents have since been dispersed or buildings lost to ruin. A selection of his work was published by the Lilliput press in 2019 edited and with text by Robert O’Byrne. 

In 2020 he donated the main remaining portion of the Rossmore family landholding of 2,300 acres, Sliabh Beagh, straddling the border of counties Monaghan and Tyrone to An Taisce to maintain for posterity for nature protection and amenity. Formerly the family grouse shooting preserve, it is now designated for nature conservation which An Taisce is managing with the support of the local community and the Monaghan County Council administered part of the EU-funded Collaborative Action for Natura Networks CANN programme.   

An Taisce has communicated its condolences to his family. We will continue to remember the name of Paddy Rossmore in the protection and management of Sliabh Beagh and the example he set in public benefaction.