Sir John Kirwan

Sir John Kirwan, Irish Entrepreneur, founder of the Kirwans of Castle Hackett, County Galway. 1650-1721.

Kirwan was a member of one of The Tribes of Galway. The family were of Gaelic origin, possibly of Conmhaícne descent. They settled in Galway around 1488 under William Ó Ciardhubháin and within a generation had become among the leading merchants of the town. John Óge Kirwan served as Mayor of Galway for the term 1530-1531, followed by Thomas (1534–1535) and Richard (1550–1551), along with numerous bailiffs, sheriffs, and aldermen. In all, eleven Kirwans would be Mayor before the fall of the tribal corporation in 1654.

As a result of the Irish Confederate Wars, almost all of the tribes' property was confiscated. Many were forced to emigrate to the West Indies as indentured servants and in this way the basis of new wealth was accrued in the succeeding generation.

In the late 17th century, Galway experienced a boom in trade with both Europe and the West Indies. Trading in tobacco and sugar, along with slaves, salted goods, hides and tallows. Branches of the family settled in Martinique, St. Croix and Montserrat. During Kirwan's lifetime Ireland - led by the ports of Galway and Cork - was the principal external supply route for provisions to the islands; the annual value of beef exports in 1685 alone was 45,000 pounds.

...
Wikipedia