Thomas Marlay

Thomas Marlay (c.1680–1756) was an Irish politician and judge, who ended his career as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He is remembered chiefly for the rebuilding of Celbridge Abbey, and as the grandfather of the statesman Henry Grattan.

He was born at Creevagh Beg, near Ballymahon, County Longford. His mother Elizabeth Morgan was the daughter of Robert Morgan of Cottlestown, County Sligo, and his wife Bridget Blayney of Castleblayney. His father Anthony Marlay was a recent arrival in Ireland from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where Thomas's grandfather Sir John Marlay (1590-1673) had been a leading local politician, who served as both Mayor of Newcastle and its MP; he is chiefly remembered for his spirited defence of the town against the invading Scots army during the English Civil War. Beginning as small tradesmen, the Marlays rose rapidly to become among the wealthiest coal exporters in Newcastle.

George Marlay, Bishop of Dromore 1745-1763, was Thomas's younger brother, and gave his name to Marlay House, which was built by his son-in-law, David La Touche. David was an MP, a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, and 1st Governor of the Bank of Ireland. He married George's daughter, Elizabeth in 1761.

Thomas was educated at the University of Dublin, and unlike many barristers of his time he was a considerable scholar, being awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Laws. He was admitted to the Middle Temple, and was called to the Bar. He rapidly built up a large practice at the Irish Bar, although Elrington Ball states that he was not highly regarded as a lawyer. An anonymous pamphlet from 1730, which took a somewhat jaundiced view of the Irish Bar generally, described him as "a sage refined": whether this tribute to his intellect was ironic or not is unclear.

...
Wikipedia