Finglas of Westpalstown, Co.Dublin
The Finglas family
is rare among the medieval gentry of the Pale
in having a name clearly of Irish origin.
The family take their name from
the area of
Finglas
("fionn ghlas", or "the clear stream"), N Co.Dublin.
[Archer, 1975]
says:
"it may be assumed that its founder first settled at Finglass,
and being like many other of the Anglo-Norman adventurers without
a surname, adopted as such, the name of the Fingallian village.
They later built and occupied a strong castle at
Walmestown (Westpalstown)."
Westpalstown ("West Pale's town")
is in Westpalstown parish,
near
Oldtown, NW Co.Dublin
(see
map).
[Ball, vol.2, 1903] says that Patrick Finglas
and Richard Fitzwilliam
(father of Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam, Kt.)
were cousins.
We start with:
Patrick Finglas,
of
Westpalstown, Co.Dublin.
See
wikipedia.
Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer
1520-1534.
The Finglas family are first mentioned in connection with
Westpalstown in 1532
[Archer, 1975].
Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
("Chief Justice of the King's Bench") 1534-1535.
Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer
1535-1537.
He died 1537.
He had issue:
- Genet Finglas.
She mar Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam, Kt
[born c.1519] and had issue.
Westpalstown on
1829 to 1842 map.
Westpalstown House is now vanished entirely.
The whole site is a featureless field.
The tiny bridge over the river leading to it survives.
Remains of the old church and graveyard of
Westpalstown.
From Google Maps.
Once an important Anglo-Norman outpost,
nothing is now left of either the "town" or the Castle of Westpalstown.
Sources yet to be consulted
