Denis Daly (judge) facts for kids

Denis Daly (around 1638–1721) was an important Irish landowner, a judge, and a member of the King's special advisory group called the Privy Council. He lived during a time of big changes in Ireland and became very successful.

Early Life and Family Roots

Denis Daly was born around 1638. His father was James Daly, and his mother was Anastase Darcy. Anastase was related to Patrick D'Arcy, a well-known Catholic lawyer. Denis started his career working for Patrick D'Arcy as a clerk, which is like an assistant.

His family, the Dalys, had grown quite powerful in County Galway. They started out not very well known in the mid-1500s but became important landowners by the 1640s. Denis belonged to the branch of the family from Carrownakelly (now Carnakelly). The Daly family supported the Stuart kings of England and remained Roman Catholic for a long time, until the early 1700s.

Denis Daly's Public Life and Land Ownership

During the rule of King James II, Denis Daly became a judge in a court called the Court of Common Pleas in Ireland. He also joined the King's Privy Council, a group of trusted advisors. In 1689, he traveled to Munster as a judge to oversee important trials.

After King James II lost his power, Denis Daly was removed from his judge position and faced legal trouble for supporting the King. To get a pardon and protect his large landholdings, he joined the Protestant church in 1709. This decision helped him keep his valuable estates in County Galway.

Denis and his brother Charles, who was also a politician, became very wealthy from their legal work. In the early 1700s, they spent a lot of money buying large estates, including Dunsandle Castle. Denis bought Dunsandle in 1708 for a significant sum.

Denis Daly also supported the local Catholic clergy. He provided a safe place for Dominican friars (religious brothers) from Athenry at Esker, near his castle at Carrownakelly. This monastery is still there today.

In the years that followed, Denis Daly's family continued to be important. His descendants lived at Dunsandle and, for many years, held the position of mayor in the town of Galway. One of his great-great-grandsons even became a nobleman, known as Baron Dunsandle and Clanconel, in the 1800s.

Historians say that Denis Daly's success was key to his family's rise. His ability and ambition helped them gain and keep their estates, showing how important loyalty and good connections were in those times.

Family

Denis Daly married Mary Power. They had four sons and two daughters. One of their daughters, also named Mary, married Peter Browne. Through her, Denis Daly became the grandfather of John Browne, who later became the 1st Earl of Altamont.

See also

• Denis Bowes Daly
• Dominick Daly
• Charles P. Daly