John D'Arcy (1785–1839) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John D'Arcy
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| Born | 1785 |
| Died | 1839 (aged 53–54) |
| Known for | Founder of Clifden |
John D'Arcy (born in 1785, died in 1839) was a very important person in the history of Ireland. He is famous for founding the town of Clifden in County Galway. Clifden is often called the "capital" of Connemara, a beautiful area in western Ireland. John D'Arcy also built a large house for himself, called Clifden Castle, near the town he created.
Contents
John D'Arcy's Story
Early Life and Family
John D'Arcy came from a well-known family in County Galway, the D'Arcys of Kiltullagh. They were one of the "Fourteen tribes of Galway," which were important families in the city's history. John D'Arcy was born in 1785.
In 1804, he inherited family lands in Connemara, East Galway, and Mayo from his cousin, Patrick. That same year, on June 4, 1804, he married Frances Blake. They had four sons and two daughters together.
A Vision for Connemara
Even though his family's lands were usually managed from Kiltullagh, John D'Arcy loved sailing and spent a lot of time in Connemara. He had a big dream: to build a new town at Clifden, right by the Owenglin River.
In 1811, D'Arcy was given an important job called High Sheriff of Galway. This role involved keeping law and order. However, he lost this position the next year. He also tried to become a Member of Parliament for County Galway several times but was not successful.
Founding Clifden
The year 1812 is often seen as the start of Clifden. In that year, John D'Arcy received special permission to hold markets and fairs there. This was a big step, changing the small settlement into a proper town.
Sadly, John D'Arcy's first wife, Frances, passed away on June 15, 1815. This was just before he moved into his newly built home, Clifden Castle. In 1820, D'Arcy married Louisa Bagot Sneyd from Dublin. She was twenty-one years old, and they had eight more children.
Clifden Grows
Clifden grew slowly at first. By 1815, there was only one house in the area. But things started to change! By 1821, the town had 290 people living in 46 houses.
In 1822, the government provided money to help people in the area who were struggling. This money helped build a fishing quay, which was important for the town's economy. The 1820s were a time of fast growth for Clifden. By 1831, a count showed that 1,257 people lived in 196 houses. The town now had schools, churches, a brewery, and other businesses.
John D'Arcy died in 1839. He had achieved a lot by building Clifden, but he had also taken on many debts to do so.
His Legacy
John D'Arcy's most important legacy is the town of Clifden itself. It continued to grow and develop even after he passed away.
However, the debts he had built up became a big problem, especially when the Great Famine hit Ireland. Because of this, his son and heir, Hyacinth, went bankrupt. In 1850, the D'Arcy family's lands were sold. Thomas and Charles Eyre bought them for £21,245. Clifden Castle was lived in during the 1800s, but by the 1910s, it had become a ruin.
A monument was built to remember John D'Arcy in the 1840s, soon after his death. It stands on a hill called Cloghaunard, overlooking Clifden, reminding everyone of the man who founded the town.
