Marlay House

David La Touche family

1764 - 1864

Towards the end of the 17th century, Thomas Taylor acquired  the property. He built a house on the estate, which was "The Grange', and he began to farm the land. In 1764 the la was sold by Thomas Taylor (Jr) and was purchased by La Touche the 3rd a member of parliament and the first Governor of the Bank of Ireland.

The La Touche family, whose original name was Digues, is said to be of English descent, having left England in the latter half of the twelfth century. They settled in Paris where they had a large estate called 'La Touche' from which they took their new name. The La Touche family coat of arms contains a pomegranate, the symbol of fertility and abundance.

In Ireland, the family prospered, and the La Touches de doped a wide range of interests. They invested in property urban land around the centre of Dublin and country estates. The became patrons of the arts, and brought to Ireland continental arts and craftsmen to embellish their five town houses and four country homes. ‘Marlay’ situated in Rathfarnham was one of the la Touches country estates. Flemish artist, De Gree and Italian artists such as Bartolozzi, Marioni and Angelia Kaufman were among those favoured by the La Touche family.

David La Touche continued to develop the estate, constructing lakes, waterfalls, bridges and walks. He also extended the original house and renamed it Marlay in 1762, having married Elizabeth Marlay, the daughter of the right rev. George Marlay, Bishop of Dromore. The La Touches were particularly interested in education, and, assisted by their wives they helped to establish and run schools for orphans and poor children. The La Touche family also funded and served on the boards of hospitals, such as the charitable St. James' Street (St. James Hospital) and Dr. Mosses's Hospital (The Rotunda). David Charles La Touche died in August 1877 and by this time the La Touche interest in Marlay had ceased. On the 29th November 1864 the property was auctioned and purchased by Robert Tedcastle.

Robert Tedcastle family

1864 - 1925

Robert Tedcastle was born on the 6th of January 1825 in the south of Scotland. He left his Scottish home as a young man to join his uncle, John Tedcastle, who was already well established in business in Dublin.

He acquired Marlay Demesne from David Charles La Touche in 1864 and he lived there for the rest of his life.

In 1872 Robert Tedcastle & Co., went into the Dublin - Liverpool passenger business. The company owned a fleet of sailing ships and steamers which brought coal into Dublin. Tedcastle was a major shareholder in the City of Dublin Steam Company. He retired in 1905 and sold most of his interest in the firm.

The company ceased all connection with the Tedcastle family in September 1919, when it was taken over by the British and Irish Steam Package Company. A leading citizen of the nineteenth century Dublin, Robert Tedcastle served as Chairman of the Dublin Dock Board and was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the city in November 1889 and for the county of Dublin in May 1891.

Robert Tedcastle was twice married, firstly to Mary Ann Septima (1855-1880). They had two sons, Robert (1858-1895) and Joseph (1862-1908). He later married Margaret Calvert Black (1839-1896). Both wives are buried within the family grave at Whitechurch.

Robert Tedcastle died at Marlay on the 19th May 1919 and is also buried at Whitchurch. During the Tedcastles time at Marlay they sold part of the land surrounding the estate. The adjoining 'Marlay Grange' was built on the site by Honorable Hercules Rowley. A portion of this property was later leased to the 'Grange Golf Club' in July 1910.

His eldest son Robert, a miner, born 1858, married Margaret Jane Hannay of Douglas in 1891. They had three children Robert, Margaret and Axel. The younger son, Joseph, was later married to Elizabeth Graham in 1888 and they had six children, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Josephine, George and William.

Little is known of this side of the family, Robert, Joseph's eldest son was made a partner of the firm, Messrs J.C & A Stewart's in the Edinburgh office in 1909. Josephine was very popular, a keen horse rider and rode with the Rathfarnham Harries. She later died after been thrown from her horse, at the age of twenty-five in 1924 and is buried at Whitchurch.