Fifth Generation

	Alison, 7th Countess of Rosse. ©Birr Castle Archives.

Alison, Lady Rosse, (née Cooke-Hurle of Startforth Hall, Barnard Castle, County Durham) married William Brendan Parsons in 1966. The couple took over the running of Birr Castle Demesne in 1979, when she became the seventh Countess of Rosse. They have three children, Patrick, Lord Oxmantown (born 1969), Lady Alicia (born 1971) and the Hon Michael Parsons (born 1981).

Lady Rosse, who is a well-known watercolourist, shares her family's passion for gardens and rare plants. She and her husband go plant hunting in Asia. Alison carefully looks after the Messel Family Dress Collection stored at Birr Castle, sharing with her mother-in-law Anne, the 6th Countess of Rosse, a complete understanding of their family and historical value.

Alison has her own style of fashion elegance; on her honeymoon she wore a striking red silk mini-dress. She also patronises Irish designers. From Mary O'Donnell she purchased a white crochet mini coatdress in the late 1960s.