Henry
In the early 18th century, a Presbyterian minister’s son from Co. Antrim who struck it rich in the banking world acquired the former Tyrconnell estates at Straffan on the banks of the River Liffey. A high profile marriage to the Earl of Milltown’s daughter subsequently enabled Hugh Henry’s descendants to enjoy a prominent position in Kildare society during the 18th and 19th century. Among these was Joseph Henry, one of Ireland’s greatest art connoisseurs, and Admiral Hastings Yelverton, sometime First Lord of the Admiralty. An extravagant lifestyle obliged the Henrys to sell Lodge Park to the Bartons in 1831. Lodge Park was sold to the Guinness family in 1948.[1] Meanwhile the Henry family continued to enjoy a fruitful life that would take them from Monte Carlo to the Cold War and later to Kosovo.
[1] Henry: Henry of Lodge Park, Vol II p 388 Kildare Journal; Barton: Volume IV, p 112, (Straffan). Kildare Journal; Henry, Mrs. (W. Sherlock ed.) The Henry Family in Kildare, 386-388. JCKAS Vol. III, No.6 (Jan 1902)
Click HERE for access to the printed book.