"In 'Irish Genealogies' (volume three of Keatings 'History of Ireland', I. G. F. edition) we read of the principal families settling in Dublin City and County subsequent to the 12th century invasions. They are given therein as listed below:
. . .Plunkett. . .Cusack. . .Aylmer. . .DeBathe. . . Bellew. . .Finglas. . .Sarsfield. . .Luttrell. . . (and others).
One can see from this list that many settler families will be found in Dublin, including Viking, Welsh, Norman and English ones. It should be remembered however, that over time, Dublin drew its population mainly from the far flung parts of Ireland itself. Indeed, we have the most mixed population of the entire country right here in Dublin. Due to the fact that it became the administrative center for the English government, there was continued settlement from England. Although the area now known as Dublin city was a stronghold for the Vikings and Normans anciently, the settlers became outnumbered by native Irish eventually."
from The Families of County Dublin Ireland, Vol. VII of the Book of Irish Families, great & small by Michael C. O'Laughlin, 1999
From the Norman invasions of 1169 until the final defeat of the Irish in the 17th century the Luttrells and the other English settlers living in the Pale were never free from conflict and danger.
"In 1413 the O'Byrnes defeated the citizens of Dublin and carried off many prisoners. In 1516 the citizens of Dublin routed the O'Tooles of the mountains, slew the chief and sent his head as a present to the mayor. The victory was short lived, for they were defeated on a second incursion into the Irish chieftains territory."
From the "History of the Parish of Clonsilla" (see link above) we see that Sir Thomas Luttrell in a letter refers to the "capture of his relative Aylmer of Lyons, by the O'Tooles, and says that a ransom will have to be paid for his release: and in another he mentions the recent 'ruffling time' with O'Neill, and says that rents will be slowly paid, as the farmers, whose services saved the Pale from utter destruction, are all lying out in camps." |