THE death of Eileen Wren (92), Countess of Mount Charles, of Galtrim House, Co Meath, on November 20th last marked the end of an era.

A former joint-master of the Meath Hounds, she was a passionate horsewoman throughout her long life, immersed in horses, dogs and all aspects of country life. She was also a great supporter of the RNLI throughout her life, enthusiastically collecting for them on their annual flag day.

Born at Heathfield House near Ballina in 1924, her father was a London native Clement Wren Newsam, a descendant of the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren. Known as Kong, her father, who spent much of his youth in New Zealand, moved to Ireland after serving in World War I and married in 1921, the widow of Bertram Bourke of Heathfield, who had been killed in action leaving two young daughters.

Shortly after Eileen’s birth, Heathfield House was taken over by the Land Commission and the family allocated a farm at Beauparc, Co Meath. Her father started the successful Navan Carpets firm. The young Eileen enjoyed a privileged upbringing, while she showed aptitude for art in the Preston School Navan, it was clear that horses were her real passion in life. She spent the later years of World War II in England assisting the war effort in nursing and catering. She was in Berlin in 1945 to witness the smouldering remains of the Reichstag.

A glamorous figure, in 1950, Eileen married the Earl of Mount Charles of Slane Castle and the couple had three sons. Hunt balls, parties and young children brought the castle to life. It even featured as a location in the film Captain Lightfoot starring Rock Hudson where the couple featured as extras.

The marriage ended in the late 1960’s leaving Lady Mount Charles in sole possession of Slane Castle. In July 1970, members of the National Waters Restoration League occupied the house in a protest over what they claimed was a usurping of Boyne fishing rights over a mile and a half at Slane. Tricolours were draped on parapets and the intruders barricaded themselves inside.

Lady Mount Charles was readmitted when she returned from alerting the local Gardaí. A 50-strong force of Gardaí arrived at the castle the next day and evicted the intruders after Lady Mount Charles managed to get a message out to them about how they could get in by wrapping it around a pot of face cream and hurling it out her bedroom window.

In 1970 Lady Mount Charles obtained an English divorce and moved out of Slane to Galtrim House. She enjoyed hunting and breeding horses, one of which, Last Suspect, went on to win the Aintree Grand National. Interestingly, the dam of Last Suspect was 1963 Irish Grand National winner Last Link who was sent home uncovered from stud and was then sent to Above Suspicion who stood locally - the result being a Grand National winner. Another good horse from her stable was The Godfather (by Sicilian Prince) who won the Thyestes Chase in the 1970s, trained by Jim Dreaper. A keen huntswoman, she hunted with the Meath Hounds until the 1980s on a big brave hunter called Pancho and always cut a dash at social events and race meetings she attended.

During her years at Galtrim House, many parties were hosted and her guests including television star Eamonn Andrews, while she was also on terms with the late Taoiseach Charlie Haughey, a keen horseman and hunter.

Lady Mount Charles was especially close to her elder sister, children’s author and noted artist Patita Nicholson, who lived until her death in the gate lodge at Galtrim. She delighted in the success that her eldest son, Henry, made of Slane Castle, successfully hosting some of the biggest concert names in the world.

Active in the Vestry of her local church, she led protests when the church authorities decided to close it in 1990. “If we were to stay open, we wouldn’t want much - just a couple of jolly services a few times a year and the churchyard cared for,” she told reporters. Plans are now well in hand to turn the church into a local cultural centre.

Lady Mount Charles is survived by her sons, Henry, now Marquess Conyngham, Simon and Patrick, grandchildren, great grandchildren and is fondly remembered by many friends.