Celbridge Abbey
  • Bartholomew Van Homrigh was a Dutch merchant amd compatriot of King William of Orange. He bought the manor of Kildrought in 1695 and later built Celbridge Abbey. Van Homrigh became Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1697 and secured from William of Orange the chain of Office still worn by the Lord Mayors of Dublin.

  • Vanessa, daughter of Van Homrigh, had a relationship with Dean Jonathan Swift, author of "Gullivers Travels".  Swift visited Vanessa many times at her home in Celbridge. Their love affair was  stormy and is the subject of much speculation to the present day.

  • Henry Grattan, the famous Parliamentarian, frequently visited his uncle in Celbridge Abbey. Grattan's mother, Mary was born in the Abbey and he says he was richly inspired by the beauty of the walks. It was in Vanessa'a bower that he composed his famous speech "Declaration of Rights" which led to the setting up of Grattan's Parliament in 1782.

Did You Know?

  • The chain of office worn by the Lord Mayor of Dublin was presented by King William of Orange to Van Homrigh who built Celbridge   Abbey and who was Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1697.

  • Jonathon Swift, author of Guilliver's Travels had a love affair with Vanessa Van Homrigh. 

  • The mother of the famous Henry Grattan was born in Celbridge Abbey.
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Jonathan Swift