Quick Facts
Biography
Randal John Somerled McDonnell, 8th Earl of Antrim (1911–1977) was a diplomat, activist, soldier and administrator from Northern Ireland. He became chairman of the National Trust in 1965.
Life
He was the son of Randall McDonnell, 7th Earl of Antrim and his wife, Margaret Isabel Talbot, daughter of John Gilbert Talbot. He was educated at Eton College and at Christ Church, Oxford, which he left without taking a degree. He succeeded his father in 1932. In 1937 he visited Valencia, during the Spanish Civil War, with Cyril Connolly.
During World War II Antrim was a Royal Navy officer, with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. With the Special Operations Executive and Peter Fleming he served in various theatres.
Antrim was Chairman of the National Trust from 1965 to 1977.
Family
Antrim married the artist Angela Sykes in 1934: she was the daughter of Sir Tatton Benvenuto Mark Sykes, 6th Baronet, and sister of Christopher Sykes. They lived at Glenarm Castle.
They had three sons, one of whom died young, and a daughter Lady Christina who married Joseph Hoare, son of Sir Reginald Hervey Hoare. The elder surviving son Alexander succeeded his father as Earl; the younger son was Hector McDonnell the artist.
