Dudley Persse (1625–1699) was an Anglo-Irish landlordA genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Ireland Burke,, B 1912 and Anglican priest.A New History of Ireland by Theodore William Moody, F. X. Martin, Francis John Byrne, Art Cosgrove: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1976
He was a grandson of the Rev. Robert Persse (died 1612), who originated in Northumberland but settled in Ireland in the late 16th century and was buried at Bodenstown, County Kildare. Dudley's father (Henry of Clane) was one of three sons born to Robert Persse. Henry married an Elizabeth (surname unknown) and was dead by 1673, Sybil and Dudley being his only two children.
Dudley Persse was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, matriculating in 1641 and was ordained into the Anglican Church. He served as Dean of Kilmacduagh.Fasti Ecclesiæ Hibernicæ: The Succession of the Prelates, Volume 4" Cotton, H pp202-205: Dublin, Hodges & Smith, 1851 and Archdeacon of Tuam.Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I. (1986). Handbook of British Chronology (Third Edition, revised ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 407. .
He purchased the Spring Garden estate in County Galway, where he lived until he purchased Cregarosta in the same county, between Loughrea and Gort.Castles and Demesnes: Gleanings from Kilconieran and Clostoken, ed. Fr. Cathal Stanley, 2000. ASIN B004B9E4WQ He built a house there, which he named Roxborough in honour of Northumberland and which was thereafter was the seat of the Persse family for 245 years until destroyed by fire in 1922 during the Irish Civil War.The Fields of Athenry: a Journey Through Irish History, James Charles Roy, 2001.
He married Sarah, daughter of John Crofton of Lisnadurn, County Roscommon and had issue:
Henry High Sheriff of County Galway, 1701 William High Sheriff of County Galway, 1711 Catherine, married Major Hugh Galbraith of Capard Alice, married Captain William Colles of Sligo Daughter (name unknown), married a Mr. Nethercott Daughter (name unknown), married Mr. Ormsby of Tubbervaddy Daughter (name unknown), married Mr. Hickman of County Clare Sarah, married John Blakeney of Castle Blakeney
Genealogy Persse founded a dynasty that was to dominate society in Galway and Connacht into the early 20th century. The family was prolific, members including:
William Persse, Irish volunteer (c. 1728 – 1802) Henry Stratford Persse, writer (died 1833) Sarah Persse, suffragist, fl. 1899 Augusta, Lady Gregory, Irish nationalist, landlord, author and dramatist (1852–1932) Hugh Lane, Irish art dealer, collector and gallery director (1875–1915)
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