More on this man below…
Availing of the unusually decent weather lately, I walk into the city most days. The route I take brings me over the Blackquiere Bridge in Phibsboro. The brilliant monument to an Irish Volunteer on the bridge demands the attention of those who pass over it, but the very name of the bridge is so unusual and unique it also grabs my attention. A little bit of research revealed that the name of this bridge comes from the Huguenot history of the city, making it just one location in Dublin today where the Huguenot past of the city is reflected in the names of locations.
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France, who fled the country following religious persecution against them in their native country. As noted on the Irish Ancestors section of The Irish Times site:
Small numbers of refugees from this persecution had come to Ireland, mainly via England, from 1620 to 1641, and again with Cromwell in 1649, but it was in 1685, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which had guaranteed them toleration, that the main body of Huguenots began to arrive, mostly from the countryside around the city of La Rochelle in the modern region of Poitou-Charente.
Huguenots would even play a role in one of the defining moments of Irish history, with some fighting alongside King William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Many Huguenots settled in the Liberties area of Dublin, renowned for their weaving abilities, skills they took with them from their native France. Huguenots became a huge part of the fabric of life in the area in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and in 1745 it was a Huguenot, David Digges La Touche, who financed the building of a new weavers’ hall in the Lower Coombe area.
While many Dubliners are familiar with the Huguenot Cemetery on Merrion Row, at least to pass, they may be surprised to hear how many street names and bridges in Dublin point back to this period in history.
The Merrion Row cemetery, which is sadly closed to the public at most times.
Back to the start then, and what of Blaquiere Bridge? The bridge is named in honour of John Blaquiere ( 1732 – 1812), a distinguished British soldier, diplomat and politician of French Huguenot descent. He served as Chief Secretary for Ireland between 1772 and 1777. Blaquiere had been born in London of Huguenot stock, “being fifth son of Jean de Blaquiere who reached to England in 1685, and his wife Marie Elizabeth.” (Source)
My favourite of the Dublin street names that reflects this migrant presence in Dublin is Fumbally Lane, which is quite near to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. I only recently wandered down this lane for the first time, and there is a real sense of history to it. The area was home to a significant brewing and distilling presence historically, and the initials ‘JB’ and ‘1836’ can be seen within a modern development complex today, as a remnant of John Busby’s distillery opened in this lane in the 1830s. It is thought that the origins of the name of the laneway can be found in a French Huguenot family of skinners by the name of Fombella, who leased lane in the vicinity in the 1720s.
Fumbally Lane shown on a map of Dublin.
Maybe the most familiar street with Huguenot connotations is D’Olier Street, in the heart of the city. This street takes its name from Jeremiah D’Olier (1745-1817). A biography of D’Olier from the Royal Dublin Society notes that he was a founder director of the Bank of Ireland and governor of that institution from 1799 to 1801, and a Dublin city sheriff in 1788 and 1790. Dlier served as a commissioner of wide streets, contributing to the laying-out of the city as we know it today. D’Olier Street was named in his honour in 1800, all the more impressive given the fact he lived for 17 years afterwards.
Digges Lane is yet another place-name in Dublin which emerges from this tradition. Home of Marconi House, which houses Newstalk and Today FM among other radio stations, the name Digges Lane shows a connection to the hugely influential La Touche family, influential in the early days of Irish banking history, establishing the La Touche Bank and later central to the very foundation of the Bank of Ireland. A brief history of this family is available to read here, and notes that:
Our story opens with David Digues La Touche des Rompieres, who was born in 1671 near Blois in the Loire Valley, and whose family had embraced the Protestant faith. Following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 some La Touche family members fled to Holland in search of religious freedom. David soon joined them, and his uncle obtained for him a commission in General Caillemotte’s Regiment, in the army of William of Orange. In 1690 David fought in the Battle of the Boyne, but, as General Caillemotte was killed at this battle, the Regiment was disbanded and David served in the Princess Ann of Denmark’s army and in the Liverpool Regiment. He left the army in Galway, where he was billeted on a weaver who sent him to Dublin to buy worsteds.
Of course, the bridge in Phibsboro is not the only one which can claim a connection to this migrant group. Beckett Bridge is another. Among the names a visitor to the cemetery on Merrion Row will spot is that of the Becquett family, and it should be remembered that one of Dublin’s most famous sons is said to have been of mercantile Huguenot descent. The names of those buried within the cemetery can be seen in this Storymap video on the site, recorded with historian Jean-Paul Pitton.
Beckett is not alone among the great Irish writers with regards Huguenot heritage, and Sheridan Le Fanu, the famed writer of mystery and Gothic tales, was much the same. Le Fanu was born in Dublin in 1814, and his father served as a clergyman in the Church of Ireland, becoming chaplain of the Royal Hibernian Military School in Phoenix Park which Le Fanu was a youth. The Phoenix Park and Chapelizod would both appear in his work, and Le Fanu is remembered with Le Fanu Road and Le Fanu Park in Ballyfermot today.
The celebrated writer Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873)
Few people have left as incredible a lasting impact on Dublin physically as the architect James Gandon (1743-1843). Gandon was responsible for the Four Courts, Custom House, Kings Inns and several other impressive architectural projects in the city. The grandson of a French Huguenot refugee, Gandon was born at New Bond Street in London. Buried in Drumcondra today, he lived at Lucan at Cannonbrook House, which overlooks the village of Lucan. The great Gandon has lent his name to a number of estates in Lucan, his adopted home for many years.
James Gandon, who one of Dublin’s most important architects.
This list is by no means complete, and I welcome comments and additions to it. It is fascinating to think that hundreds of years on from the arrival of Huguenot refugees on Irish shores, they and their descendants are still remembered in the place names of our city and country.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
I also heard that the fpur walks within St Stephen’s Green were inspired by the presence of a large Hugenot community in the area at the time it was laid out in the 1670s – I can only recall Beaux Walk (Shelbourne side) and French Walk (Iveagh House side)
Thanks for another great piece. You mentioned St Patrick’s cathedral in relation to Fumbally lane but did you know the Lady chapel at the cathedral was given to the Huguenots in 1666 and they used it as their church for 150 years, it is often referred to as ‘the French chapel’ to this day.
I wonder if the influx of the new blow-ins of the last decade or so will leave such a substantive legacy? (I’m one of that number…)
Cow Parlour might be relevant, and then again, it might not.
http://photopol.com/james_st/cow_parlour.html
Huguenots in Monaghan brought their skills and knowledge to help start what became a thriving Linen Industry in the 1800s. The legacy left includes the formation of small towns such as Ballybay and many impressive buildings,
Great work, Mr Fallon. I should add that the La Touche family also owned land around Delgany and the La Touche hotel in Greystones, which served as the model for “The Majestic” in Farrell’s book, was either built by one of them or named after them, I’m not sure which. It probably won’t survive much longer so get down there and take a gander at that boarded up relic of a gentler time.
That should be Jean-Paul Pittion, I think. Interesting piece.
La Touche bridge is the official name for the bridge at Portobello linking South Richmond Street and Rathmines.
LaTouche and D’Olier were the robber barons of their era similar to today’s Sean Fitz and Fingleton. They advanced in finance and ‘society’ due to the Penal Laws restricting Catholics in business + education and they worked hand in hand with the colonial masters of the day.
LaTouche is honoured by KPMG on Harcourt St and at the IFSC by LaTouche house. The DLR CoCo honour him by not renaming his house in Marley Park. D’Olier Street honours his sidekick…an apt place for the original place for The Irish Thames.
In a few decades we’ll all be travelling to Greystones to view/honour Seanie Fitz’s place. We’ll be sending school tours to pay homage to the wonderful architechture + gardens and it’ll all be funded by the State…..our tax euros at work!!!!!
or you might want to take a look at the La Touche Hotel, if it’s still there.
One of them still lived in Killiney in my day and tried to sell me a left hand drive car (for my first car). I ended up with a Renault R4, conventional right hand drive instead. Kept the French connection though. 🙂
I’m not getting notifications of follow up comments, which I used to. I don’t think I can do anything at my end to fix it. Anyone else with this problem?
A very,very interesting article.
Also.the dean of the anglican cathedral from Killaloc was a hugenot.
They where took over by the Presbyterians and lately integreted in the anglican church.
where would one get more information on irish huguenot families. i am descended from one but was never told very much about it as much of our family emigrated when i was young and the remaining side were vikings 🙂
so to post again- an intriguing piece of history and lovely photos too.i am descended from french huguenots , martyn and have been trying to gather more on this from my relatives. We were never told much about it growing up . it is fascinating to think that over the course of 250 years an identity can change so much – culture, language, religion, place..
You can look up the irish section web site.
Yes, thanks , have done so.
There is Huguenot blood on my mother’s side of the family.Her mothers maiden name was Bonynge(probably not the original French spelling).i would be very interested in finding out about the first Bonynges to arrive in Ireland and whereabouts in France they came from
Chamber Street, between Ardee Street and Weaver’s Square, is shown on some maps as Chambre Street, suggesting a French connection. This was the centre of the Huguenot district in Dublin. One of my ancestors was surname : Jacques / Jaques / Jakes. Some people of this name were huguenot, eg Guideon Jacques who became a freeman of Dublin, but I have failed to establish any Huguenot link in church records, (I am still hopeful).
Anyone familiar with the names Rebbey or Gossler? I think Rebbey was misspelled and originally may have been Rebhe.
in the book “Foxes christian martyr’s of the world” the huguenots are mentioned in the ‘ the massacre at St Bartholomew’ thousands of Huguenots were slaughtered by order of the King of France, fascinating that some fled to Ireland and established a thriving helpful community.
Who is the man in the black and white photo at the beginning of the article? Looks too modern to be any of those discussed?
Samuel Beckett
Very interesting and poignant. My ancestors were Du Perrier from Caen, Brittany. Mark arrived around 1685 in Dublin. His son, Antoine was a field cavalry officer in the army of Queen Anne and died at the Battle of Malplaquet on 11th Sept, 1709. Antoine was survived by his son, John who married Louisa De La Maziere, also from a Huguenot family from Brittany and dropped the Du from the name. I believe members of her family are buried in the Merrion Row Cemetery. The Perriers moved to Cork. One David, married a Catherine Harris, whose family came from Tipperary. One of their sons, David Perrier emigrated to Australia in 1828. He was my great grandfather. Most of this information I have only found out myself in the past 4 years. Searching becomes addictive. I plan to visit Ireland in the very near future and Be, just where they all were, so long ago. Many thanks. Robyn
I loved your message. I only found out 2014 I have family. I’m a Blaquiere. Good luck Robyn
Hi . Very nice to read this short article . My name is George Smullen and I live on the Old Finglas Road in Glasnevin in a house which has been in my family for more than 170 years. My Great Great Granfather George Harborne came hear to live from Marabone Lane in the Libertys. He like his father was a silk weaver and tie maker. We have relations from far flung parts of the world looking to trace their roots. My father and aunt ( both now dead) told me that the Harbornr’s were Huguenot’s. Does anyone have any light to shed on the Harborne’s?
Hi. Any relation to the Harbournes in Moone?
Maeve
I dont know about the Harbournes in Moone. Is this Kildare?
George Smullen.Please reply to my previous comment
hi – my grandfather was a Harbourne and his father was a silk weaver who lived in Weavers Square which is recorded in the 1901 census. I heard that our family were possibly French Huguenots too. Just did a DNA test and 26% of my dna is classified as North Western European with most in England and Wales but the area also covered France. The Huguenots who settled in Weavers Square were from La Rochelle so this would all seem to tie in nicely.
Hi Teresa.Sorry I am only reading this today having given up hope of finding some contacts.Your text looks very intresting and I would love to explore a possible link between us.I have gleaned lately that there were 2 ways to spell Haroborne / Harbourne however I think they might be all the same extended group.With Covid noiw giving more time to explore records I have come accross the will of an ANNE Harbourne.I have also found a Cert Batism For a William Edward Harbourne dated 15 Febuary 1849 from St.Catherns Church. Mums name Ruth ,Dad George.
In my family there has always been a George/ David or Ruth in each generation. Do you think we have a link/ Best Regards George
Please reply to my previous comment thanks
Very interesting! I too am an ancestor (I live in Canada) of Hugenots. My lineage is from the Duclos/DuCloux which was Anglicized and became Dukelow or Ducklow….but whatever the spelling, we are all related! I don’t see the Duclos name on the list in Merrion Row, but I don’t know exactly when the first ones landed in Ireland. They only seem to have been (and still are) in the southwest (Mizen Peninsula) of Cork County. It is said they came from the Metz district of France…always more to search and learn about! Good hunting Blessings to you all!
It is interesting to note that the sign on the stone lintel over the gate into the Hugenot cemetery spells the word Hugenot incorrectly (with a “h” in the middle). I understand that the mason that carved it had been paid by the time the mistake was noticed and refused to redo it.
It is interesting to note that the sign on the stone lintel over the gate into the Huguenot cemetery spells the word Huguenot incorrectly (with a “h” in the middle). I understand that the mason that carved it had been paid by the time the mistake was noticed and refused to redo it.
I’m a Blaquiere with not much knowledge about my ancestors except they were in the British Army and left India in 1947 and my birth father came to London. His name was Clifton Jarvis Blaquiere. His father was Charles Clarence Blaquiere. I can’t work out where Charles Blaquiere was born? His wife was Claressa Augustine (father, peter Augustine) who had come from Malaya. Ruling family is still called Augustine.. She died, He later married a woman surname Berrigan or O’Berrigan who’s father was from Ireland. Charles father was in Calcutta. his name was Frank or Frederick Blaquiere ( he seemed to have both names). I can’t work out where he was born either. Some of their brothers and sisters went to Aus and NZ. If you have any Blaquiere or Berrigan info. We would love to hear it.
I loved this article as it is so revelational. Many people go on and on about being so Irish when actually Ireland (like many other countries) is a product of collaboration between people of many nations, religions and social classes. When nationalism became in vogue it was really a challenge for historians to fit all this diversity into one box.
Very interesting site with interesting stories and histories
HI Theresa, My father was a Harbourne from Moone. Do you know if your Family of Harbourne’s and mine are related?
Hi Jane. This is George Smullen here and my Grandmother was a Harbourne. My Great Grandfather was A Church Organ builder as were his 3 sons , William, Thomas George and Fred. Fred was the only one i met personaly, he was 91 at the time paying his last visit to Ireland. i am in regular contact with Harborne relitives who were Grandchildren of grannys brothers. Indeed I have visited some in New Zealand, and some from canada , England and Belfast have come to visit me here in Dublin. I still have the family hame that my Great Great Grandfather George harbourne ,a silk weaver moved too in 1843. Before the family of Silk weavers lived in Marabowe Lane
Hi Jane.I would love to hear more about your Harbourne family. My Granny Francis Harborne lived in glasnevin and played the Church organ in Dt. Mobhis Co I glasnevin
Very interesting information. My Great Great Grandfather was Richard Strong Sargent md and was buried at the cemetery, having died at 40 years on January 27th 1848 from typhus which he contracted from his patients in the Fever Sheds.
His father Henry Sargent was descended from the Huegenots. Their name was de la Maziere. He became a tailor. I have tried to find Richards name on the tombstones but apparently there is no memorial.
Hi Elaine, My great, great, great, great grandfather was John Perrier who married Louisa de la Maziere in Dublin. John was the son of Antoine du Perrier a cavalry officer, who fought in the army of Queen Anne at Malplaquet, where he was killed on 11/09/1709.
Antoine du Perrier was the son of Marc du Perrier who brought his family of French Huguenots to Dublin around 1685 from Caen, Brittany.
John Perrier died in 1737. His son Anthony, born 1712 became a leading merchant and High sheriff of Dublin. He was knighted and died in 1772.
Louisa’s family also Huguenots from Brittany had members who also fought at Malplaquet.
A plaque on the wall of the Merrion Row cemetery, beside the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin bears the family name, de la Maziere amongst other names of Huguenots buried there. I visited last year, but as the cemetery is closed to the public could only view through the gates. A beautiful place, carpeted in bluebells. So fascinating to know that we may have a far distant relative.
My great grandfather, David Perrier came to Australia from Cork in 1826 at age 21 and began a whole new adventure and family. I like the fact that I discovered his final resting place in a cemetery not far from my home. Best wishes foryour search.
Hi
I live in Belfast and my Huguenot family history is as follows , Frederici and Honorae Ruiger Donnybrook area, issue Louisa 5th July 1812, , Isabella 29th January 1821, Bridget ( Belinda ) also 1821 ?, Martha, 12th July 1823,Maria, 1830, Frances, 14th Feb 1831, Isabella Ruiger moved to Belfast married to Edward McKeating 1847 and was the grandmother of my Grandmother Belinda McKeating,
Regards
J Lavery
I am, like Robyn Robinson, also descended from John Perrier and Louisa de la Maziere via a great granddaughter, Charlotte Perrier, who married into the whiskey distilling Wises of Cork
Hi Nicola, Lovely to find a Perrier descendant! A sample following of info I have found.
“An ancient and noble family of Brittany, traced in the archives of the College Heraldique at Paris, to the tenth century and to the ancient dukes and princes of that Province.
The first of that name in Ireland, expatriated himself at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1685. ” (I think this is our Mark Du Perrier).
“The surname is perhaps a corruption of a poirer, a pear tree and so analogeors to Appletree and Plumtree etc. (Patronymica Brittannica) 1838-1860 by Mark Antony Lower.
Jeanne du Perrier, comtesse de Quintin
Dame du ” ab 1456
Son of Jean du Montfort – Laval, Baron de Quintin, Cotes d’Armor, Brittany.
Best wishes and good luck with your search. Au revoir far distant cousin!
Very interesting to find out recently that Elizabeth I sent some Huguenots to Ireland as they were Protestants and not pesky Catholics (I am one) who were liaising with Catholic Italians, Spanish and French. That is why the Blaquiere Bridge exists