Risteárd Buidhe Kirwan
Encyclopedia
Risteárd Buidhe Kirwan (1708–1779) was an Irish
soldier
and duellist.
, and his parents were members of the Tribes of Galway
. He was an uncle of the scientist Richard Kirwan
, and a cousin of Richard Martin (M.P.), founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
.
He travelled to France
for his education. He joined the regiment of Dillon of the Irish Brigade
. He became famed as a swordsman and duellist, and for his stature, which measured six feet four inches in height. Among his closest acquaintances were Lord Clare and Maurice de Saxe. He participated in the Battle of Fontenoy
(1745).
His became notorious because of his duelling, and was obliged to leave France. He joined the Austrian service. He retired in 1751 and returned to Ireland. He married Maria Birmingham, a relative of Baron Athenry
, and had issue. He was nicknamed Risteárd Buidhe a' claidhimh (fair Richard of the swords) and Dick.
A watch presented to him by Louis XV, set with diamonds and pearls, was in the possession of the Kirwan family as of 1949.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and duellist.
Biography
Kirwan was a son of Patrick Kirwan of Cregg and Mary Martin of Dangan. Both towns are in County GalwayCounty Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, and his parents were members of the Tribes of Galway
Tribes of Galway
The Tribes of Galway were fourteen merchant families who dominated the political, commercial, and social life of the city of Galway in western Ireland between the mid-13th and late-19th centuries. They were the families of Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Font, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwan,...
. He was an uncle of the scientist Richard Kirwan
Richard Kirwan
Richard Kirwan FRS was an Irish scientist. He is remembered today, if at all, for being one of the last supporters of the theory of phlogiston. Kirwan was active in the fields of chemistry, meteorology, and geology...
, and a cousin of Richard Martin (M.P.), founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit animal welfare organization originally founded in England in 1824 to pass laws protecting carriage horses from abuse. SPCA groups are now found in many nations, where they campaign for animal welfare, assist in cruelty to animals...
.
He travelled to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for his education. He joined the regiment of Dillon of the Irish Brigade
Irish Brigade
Irish Brigade may refer to:* Irish Brigade , the Jacobite brigade in the French army, 1690–1792 * Irish Brigade , pro-Union Civil War brigade of Irish immigrants...
. He became famed as a swordsman and duellist, and for his stature, which measured six feet four inches in height. Among his closest acquaintances were Lord Clare and Maurice de Saxe. He participated in the Battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
(1745).
His became notorious because of his duelling, and was obliged to leave France. He joined the Austrian service. He retired in 1751 and returned to Ireland. He married Maria Birmingham, a relative of Baron Athenry
Baron Athenry
The title of Baron Athenry is one of the oldest titles in the Peerage of Ireland, but the date of its creation is thoroughly uncertain; each of the first four Berminghams listed below is claimed by some writers to be Lord Athenry, but the evidence is disputed...
, and had issue. He was nicknamed Risteárd Buidhe a' claidhimh (fair Richard of the swords) and Dick.
A watch presented to him by Louis XV, set with diamonds and pearls, was in the possession of the Kirwan family as of 1949.
See also
- William Ó CiardhubháinWilliam Ó CiardhubháinWilliam Ó Ciardhubháin, fl. 1488, was an Irish merchant and the founder of one of The Tribes of Galway.Ó Ciardhubháin is said to have been a native of Dunbally castle, near Dunmore, County Galway...
, family founder, fl. 1488 - Francis KirwanFrancis Kirwan-Life:Kirwan was born in the town of Galway to Matthew Kirwan and Juliana Lynch, both members of The Tribes of Galway. He was educated on the continent, returning to Ireland in 1614 to be ordained a priest...
, Bishop of KillalaBishop of KillalaThe Bishop of Killala is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Killala in County Mayo, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:...
, 1589–1661 - Dominick KirwinDominick KirwinDominick Kirwin was an Irish Confederate, fl. 1642–1653?Kirwin was a member of one of The Tribes of Galway, and led the raiding party that seized a ship anchored near Galway early in the morning of 19 March 1642. It was a British naval vessel under the command of a Captain Clarke, and had been sent...
, Irish Confederate, fl. 1642–1653 - Annette KirwanAnnette KirwanAnnette Kirwan, , first wife of Edward Carson, Baron Carson, died 6 April 1913.Kirwan from County Galway, daughter of H. Persse Kirwan, a retired County Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Kirwan was a descendant of William Ó Ciardhubháin and a member of The Tribes of Galway.She had two sons...
, first wife of Edward Carson, Baron CarsonEdward Carson, Baron CarsonEdward Henry Carson, Baron Carson PC, PC , Kt, QC , often known as Sir Edward Carson or Lord Carson, was a barrister, judge and politician from Ireland...
, (died 1913)