Mariga Guinness
Mariga Guinness | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hermione Maria-Gabrielle von Urach Template:Birth date London, England |
| Died | May 8, 1989 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | Architectural preservationist, social figure |
| Known for | Co-founder of the Irish Georgian Society |
Mariga Guinness (originally named Hermione Maria-Gabrielle von Urach; 21 September 1932 – 8 May 1989) was a prominent architectural preservationist and social figure, recognized as a co-founder of the Irish Georgian Society.
Early years and family background
Born in London on 21 September 1932, Mariga Guinness entered the world as Hermione Maria-Gabrielle von Urach. She was the sole offspring of Prince Albrecht von Urach from the House of Urach, a morganatic line descending from the royal House of Württemberg, and Rosemary Blackadder, a Scottish journalist and artist. From birth, she held the title of princess.
Her childhood involved relocations to Venice and Japan, influenced by her parents’ careers in journalism. Following her mother’s deteriorating mental health, which led to a lobotomy in 1941, Mariga was brought back to Europe and raised by her godmother, Hermione Ramsden, with residences in Surrey and Norway. Her education was overseen by several governesses, supplemented by brief periods at boarding schools. Up until she turned eighteen, she was commonly called Gabrielle.
In 1951, Mariga encountered Desmond Guinness; their marriage took place in Oxford in 1954, connecting her to the distinguished Guinness family. Together they had two children: Patrick (born 1956) and Marina (born 1957).
Life in Ireland
Relocating to Ireland in 1955, the couple initially rented Carton House, located in County Kildare. United by their enthusiasm for Georgian architecture, they acquired Leixlip Castle in 1958 and established the Irish Georgian Society that same year. Their organization championed the restoration and preservation of notable sites such as Mountjoy Square, the entrance to the Dromana estate in County Waterford, Tailors' Hall in Dublin, and Conolly's Folly in County Kildare. In 1967, they purchased Castletown House with intentions to restore it as a headquarters for their society.
Throughout the 1960s, Leixlip Castle served as a hub for architectural conservation activities, with both Guinnesses deeply engaged. By 1969, marital strains emerged; Mariga relocated first to London, then to Glenarm, County Antrim before eventually returning to Leixlip Castle. Their divorce was finalized in 1981. Afterward, she lived in Dublin before leasing Tullynisk House near Birr Castle in County Offaly in 1983. Later years saw her face challenges with loneliness and alcohol dependency. She passed away from a heart attack aboard a car ferry en route from Wales on 8 May 1989 and was interred at Conolly's Folly close to Castletown.
Descendants
Mariga and Desmond were parents to two children: Marina and Patrick. Marina is known as an arts patron who supports Irish musicians such as Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, and Kíla. She has three children: Patrick (with Stewart Copeland of The Police), Violet (with photographer Perry Ogden), and Finbar (with record producer Denny Cordell). Through Patrick, Mariga is the grandmother of fashion model Jasmine Guinness.
Popular culture
A film depicting Guinness’s life entitled Memory of Mariga premiered in the United States at Kentucky’s Elizabethtown Film Festival in 2020. Its Irish debut occurred at the Fastnet Film Festival in 2021.