Sir John Lavery was a world-renowned painter best known for his portraits and wartime depictions. He was born in Belfast on 20th March 1856, but moved to Aghalee when he was orphaned, aged 3. He was first taken in by his uncle Edward Lavery, who lived near Moira; but then went to stay with his cousin Kate Clenaghan on the farm beside Holy Trinity Church. He also attended Soldierstown school. The former farm-house has now been transformed into Clenaghan’s restaurant and bar; for a long time it was known as ‘Winnie’s, named after Kate’s daughter.
In 1918, along with his close friend Winston Churchill, Lavery witnessed and painted the surrender of the German fleet, disguised as a naval officer. He was also asked to paint a portrait of Queen Victoria. In 1930, he was granted the freedom of the City of Belfast.
He married an American, Lady Hazel Lavery, and for many years his portrait of her was used on the Irish £100 banknote.
In 1929, he donated 34 of his paintings to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery (now the Ulster Museum), citing two reasons – ‘one that I was born in Belfast, and the other that they had built a gallery there, but had no paintings to put in it.’
Sir John Lavery maintained contact with his cousins at Soldierstown throughout his auspicious career.
