The rise and demise of the Eustace family

The Portlester Effigy before it was moved to a sheltered location in 2001.

An intriguing representation of the Portlester Effigy in New Abbey graveyard was used to introduce last night's talk on the Eustace family in the Town Hall, writes Brian Byrne.

The moving 3D-type model of the monument was developed by Sean Sourke, currently attached to the Kilcullen Heritage Centre, from 50 photographs he took of the effigy. The monument was moved in 2001 by Kildare County Council from its exposed weathering position in the graveyard to a sheltered wall site.

Using a computer-based process called photogrammetry, Sean's resulting video provided an extraordinary level of detail of the effigy, to a much greater extent than is visible to a person standing in front of the 'altar table' monument to Rowland Eustace of Harristown and his wife Margaret. Rowland, as Baron Portlester, and Margaret founded the Franciscan New Abbey friary in 1486.

The photogrammetric representation was an appropriate precursor to a detailed and fascinating discussion on the rise and fall of the fortunes of the FitzEustace family who came with the Normans and spread across large parts of Ireland and England.

Ger McCarthy (on left above with John Sandall) of the Naas Local History Group has had a particular interest in the part of the family that settled in Kildare and Wicklow, beginning with the establishment of its chief residence at Castlemartin in Kilcullen in the 12th century.

Developing large estates in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, the other early key location locally was their castle in Ballymore Eustace.

Ger outlined how the FitzEustaces consolidated and grew their position through marriage with other significant families over some 300 years. Among these were the Fitzgeralds, the Aylmers of Donadea, and the Butlers of Dunboyne.

He also showed photographs of various houses associated with the family in this part of Ireland, including Craddockstown and Yeomanstown. The connection between the Eustace family and the Dominicans in Kildare was also detailed, including how the crest and motto of Dominican College Newbridge relates to the heraldic motifs of the FitzEustaces.

The family's political decline beginning with its part in a rebellion against England in the late 16th century was explained, with details about how a Spanish/Italian expeditionary force which landed at Smerwick Harbour in Kerry, come to help with the rebels, ended up massacred in Naas. Ger concluded with some thoughts on the 'Eustace Heiresses' and more recent descendants of the family.

Thanking him for the presentation, and those who attended and took part in the discussion, Nessa Dunlea of the Kilcullen 700 Committee noted that a book about the series of talks is being produced.

She also reminded that two events remain in the series, a presentation on Kilcullen and the Liffey on the first Tuesday of November and a review of the Kilcullen 700 Memory Monday meetings in December.

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