My wife's ancestors - Fitzwilliam - Contents

Ussher

• References:
  • USSHER in [Burkes Irish, 2002]
  • USSHER in [Burkes Irish, 1976]
  • DONNYBROOK in [Ball, vol.2, 1903]

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • Ball Wright's Ussher Memoirs

Arland Ussher (or Uscher),
mar 2ndly and had issue:

1. John Ussher, had issue:
   1. Thomas Ussher, had issue:
      1. Henry Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh,
         born c.1550, educ Magdalene College, Cambridge,
         Archdeacon of Dublin 1580,
         petitioned Elizabeth I with support of Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam to found TCD 1590, obtained warrant 1591,
         Archbishop of Armagh 1595 to 1613,
         mar Mary Smyth,
         he died 1613,
         Mary remarried 1614 to William Fitzwilliam.

      2. Arland Ussher, had issue:
         1. James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh,
            born 4th Jan 1581, parish of St.Nicholas Within, Dublin,
            famously dated the world to 4004 BC,
            Archbishop of Armagh 1625 to 1656,
            Vice-Chancellor of TCD, think it is his portrait in Provost's House,
            acquired the Book of Kells, his library formed the nucleus of TCD Library,
            died 1656, bur Westminster Abbey.
            See print at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

2. Christopher Ussher,
   born c.1465,
   Bailiff of Dublin 1511, Mayor of Dublin 1516 and 1524,
   mar 2ndly, 1524, to Alison Fitzwilliam [heiress of Donnybrook],
   he was, like his brother-in-law, also a supporter of the Earl of Kildare,
   died 30th Jan 1526, age c.60 yrs, having had issue:
   1. John Ussher, born 1524, succ to Donnybrook,
      Mayor of Dublin 1561,
      produced the first book printed in Irish, 1571 - An Irish Alphabet and Catechism (of the Church of Ireland), by John Kearney, this family were Protestant, and were translating religious texts into Irish as part of the Protestant mission to translate scripture into the vernacular so that the individual could read it and interpret it for himself,
      in 16th cent he or his son built Donnybrook Castle [in Donnybrook village, at S entrance to village, where Sisters of Charity now is, opposite rugby ground, a stream ran past it, see [Sweeney, 1991]],
      in 1597 he leased land on the S side of the River Liffey, W of Christchurch, and built a town house, Bridgefoot house, with extensive gardens down to the river,
      had issue:
      1. Sir William Ussher, of Donnybrook Castle, born 1561,
         Constable of Wicklow Castle 1597,
         in 1602 in Bridgefoot house he printed the first Irish version of the New Testament,
         died 1637, age 76 yrs.

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• Donnybrook Castle was rented out by the Usshers after 1700. It features in Jonathan Swift's Journal to Stella. His Stella Johnson stayed there.
• Donnybrook Castle fell into decay and was demolished 1759. The site was bought by the Sisters of Charity 1837.

• There is a modern apartment block called "Donnybrook Castle" further out of town on the dual carriageway.

• Where Bridgefoot house stood is now Bridgefoot St, off Thomas St. Where its gardens once were is now Usher's Quay and Usher's Island (thus now spelt).

• There is a James Ussher Theatre in TCD.