The Luttrells During the Reformation

The Rt Hon Sir Thomas Luttrell, the sixteenth-century Chief Justice of Common Pleas, was noted for his grasp of law and his fluency in Gaelic. He also held the position of Solicitor General. He remained loyal to the doctrines of Rome while acknowledging the Act Of Supremacy, whereby Henry VIII appointed himself supreme governor of the Church of England. Thomas Luttrell's religious mores did not prevent him from sharing in the spoils from the dissolution of the monasteries, however; he acquired the lands of St Mary's Abbey at Coolmine. Indeed, as chief baron of the exchequer he was actively involved in the dissolution. When he died in 1554 he was enormously wealthy and the church in Clonsilla had to be extended to make room for his tomb. Such was the extent of his wealth that the Crown borrowed money from his estate.

His son Christopher survived him as heir to Luttrellstown but only lived two years. He was replaced by his brother James, Sheriff of County Dublin, who died in 1557, much to the regret of his tenantry, as he had been a good landlord, treating his tenants well and having a charitable disposition. James Luttrell was married to Genet Sarsfield from Lucan; he was her second husband and she went on to have another three! The couple had a child that died in infancy and the estate went to the third son, Simon, who was a law student but settled down to run the estate.

The Luttrell family still retained their Roman Catholic faith but outwardly must have given some recognition to the established church in order to hold their lands. It should be remembered that, although he broke with Rome, Henry VIII kept very much to the traditional religious practices. Simon's eldest son, Thomas, who inherited the estate, was very active in the cause of the Irish Catholics. He was imprisoned twice for his actions on their behalf during the reign of James I. His great wealth and influence gave him a measure of protection, however, and he was allowed back into favour. During this time, Archbishop Bulkely of the established church complained that `Mass Houses and Popish Schools' in the locality were sponsored by the Luttrells. A Fr Paul Harris from England acted as chaplain to the Luttrell family and said Masses in the area, as did Fr Patrick Gargan

(Excerpt from Candle in the Window by Jim Lacey)