The Blackrock Association
After a number of robberies and felonies in Kilmacud and Stillorgan, the gentlemen in the area gave
notice that would be offering rewards for the apprehension of the perpetrators. They had a pot of
52 guineas and it was signed by the following in July 1777.
George Ribton - Grove Richard Jones
William Beckford John Sheppey - Rockfield
John Jones George Meares
James Ennis - Priory Cottage? Jo Fletcher
William Medcalf Nicholas Proud
Matthew Coleman Ephraim Thwaites
Christopher Deey - Willow Park William Alleybyrne
Jasper Desbrisay - Lakelands Peter Warren - Woodview
Edward Scriven - Kilmacud House John Letouche
Richard Thwaites Peter Letouche
Beather King - Glebe House Richard Bolton - Merville
Philip Tisdall - Stillorgan House
The Blackrock association was formed after a meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen on the
9 Dec 1782. The reason it was formed was for apprehending, prosecuting and convicting all
persons guilty of House-breaking, High-way Robbery, Felony and Trespass, in or about the
Black-Rock, Booterstown, Merrion, Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Newtown, Monkstown, Dunleary,
Bullock, Dalkey, Kabinteely and the county adjoining.
The members each agreed to pay a subscription to the Association and to pay rewards.
William Ogilvie Esq was in the chair and they made the following resolutions.
1 To every person who shall give information of any person or persons concerned in
House-breaking, Highway robbery or Felony in the above district within twelve months
after the fact is committed, is capitally convicted, the sum of twenty Guineas, over and
above all other rewards offered by Government of the County.
2 To every person who shall inform as above, of the person or persons guilty of Theft or
Petty Larceny by cutting, destroying, or carrying away Trees, Hedges or Fences the sum
of five Guineas.
3 Any person giving information that may tend to the Discovery of any burglary, robbery
or Felony will be rewarded in proportion to the utility of his information and his name
concealed if he desires it.
4 Besides the above reward, the Association will pay all expenses attending the
apprehending, securing and prosecuting such offenders as above described.
5 They will likewise reward such constables and their assistants as shall appear to
deserve encouragement by an active discharge of their duty.
6 The Lord Viscount Ranelagh, William Ogilvie, Robert Burne, Esq, John Latouche Esq,
Isaac Espinasse and Mr Justice Beckford are appointed a committee for the first year
to conduct the business of the Association; to any of whom it is required that
information may be given as early as possible, of all Robbery, Felonies &c. committed
in the above district. The committee will attend the Quarter Sessions of the county
and the next general meeting of the Association will be the Monday of the week preceding
the quarter sessions, of which Notice will be given in this paper. (Saunders News Letter).
These resolutions were signed By Order William Beckford.
The meeting had a revolving chair and they met in various taverns in Blackrock. The Lord Mayor
and sheriffs of the city of Dublin agreed to co-operate with the Association.
Meetings held at Blackrock Taverns
Conways, Blackrock 27 Jan 1783 - Christopher Deey was in the Chair.
A further resolution was made to erect a Lock-up House in the Black Rock and the Association
agreed to meet again on the 17 Mar 1783 to dine together at Conway's and that Viscount
Ranelagh would take the chair that day.
Byrnes Arms, Blackrock 9 Dec 1783 - A meeting to elect a new committee.
Jennets Tavern, Blackrock 1 Nov 1787 - Further solutions made.
They offered a reward to anyone who would prosecute to conviction any person guilty of
robbery upon the Black-rock road from Dublin to Dunleary, Bullock, Dalkey, Rochestown,
Cabinteely and Loughlinstown and also from Donnybrook to Loughlinstown.
Nicholas Lawless, Bart was appointed treasurer and Rev Dr Burrowes was appointed
secretary. They further resolved to print notices in the Dublin Chronical, Evening Post, the
Hue and Cry as well as Saunders Newsletter.
McQuignons, Blackrock 23 Sep 1789 they met at 3PM and dined at 4:30pm.
By 1806 they were known as the Rathdown Association, the chair no longer rotated and
W A Minchin was chairman that year.
Committee Members
1782 William Ogilvie - Chairman
Isaac Espinasse
Robert Byrne
John Latouche
1783 Christopher Deey – Chairman
1783 Viscount Ranelagh - Chairman
1782 - 1784 Mr Justice William Beckford - Secretary
1787 Nick Lawless – Treasurer
1787 Rev Dr Burrowes – Secretary
Reported Crimes
1783 Peter Wilson of Mount Druid had his gardens broken into and two fields
of vegetables lifted.
1787 Lady Lisle had her house broken into. Curtains and cushions stolen, the
material pattern was very unusual and was described in detail.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – March 2021
After a number of robberies and felonies in Kilmacud and Stillorgan, the gentlemen in the area gave
notice that would be offering rewards for the apprehension of the perpetrators. They had a pot of
52 guineas and it was signed by the following in July 1777.
George Ribton - Grove Richard Jones
William Beckford John Sheppey - Rockfield
John Jones George Meares
James Ennis - Priory Cottage? Jo Fletcher
William Medcalf Nicholas Proud
Matthew Coleman Ephraim Thwaites
Christopher Deey - Willow Park William Alleybyrne
Jasper Desbrisay - Lakelands Peter Warren - Woodview
Edward Scriven - Kilmacud House John Letouche
Richard Thwaites Peter Letouche
Beather King - Glebe House Richard Bolton - Merville
Philip Tisdall - Stillorgan House
The Blackrock association was formed after a meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen on the
9 Dec 1782. The reason it was formed was for apprehending, prosecuting and convicting all
persons guilty of House-breaking, High-way Robbery, Felony and Trespass, in or about the
Black-Rock, Booterstown, Merrion, Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Newtown, Monkstown, Dunleary,
Bullock, Dalkey, Kabinteely and the county adjoining.
The members each agreed to pay a subscription to the Association and to pay rewards.
William Ogilvie Esq was in the chair and they made the following resolutions.
1 To every person who shall give information of any person or persons concerned in
House-breaking, Highway robbery or Felony in the above district within twelve months
after the fact is committed, is capitally convicted, the sum of twenty Guineas, over and
above all other rewards offered by Government of the County.
2 To every person who shall inform as above, of the person or persons guilty of Theft or
Petty Larceny by cutting, destroying, or carrying away Trees, Hedges or Fences the sum
of five Guineas.
3 Any person giving information that may tend to the Discovery of any burglary, robbery
or Felony will be rewarded in proportion to the utility of his information and his name
concealed if he desires it.
4 Besides the above reward, the Association will pay all expenses attending the
apprehending, securing and prosecuting such offenders as above described.
5 They will likewise reward such constables and their assistants as shall appear to
deserve encouragement by an active discharge of their duty.
6 The Lord Viscount Ranelagh, William Ogilvie, Robert Burne, Esq, John Latouche Esq,
Isaac Espinasse and Mr Justice Beckford are appointed a committee for the first year
to conduct the business of the Association; to any of whom it is required that
information may be given as early as possible, of all Robbery, Felonies &c. committed
in the above district. The committee will attend the Quarter Sessions of the county
and the next general meeting of the Association will be the Monday of the week preceding
the quarter sessions, of which Notice will be given in this paper. (Saunders News Letter).
These resolutions were signed By Order William Beckford.
The meeting had a revolving chair and they met in various taverns in Blackrock. The Lord Mayor
and sheriffs of the city of Dublin agreed to co-operate with the Association.
Meetings held at Blackrock Taverns
Conways, Blackrock 27 Jan 1783 - Christopher Deey was in the Chair.
A further resolution was made to erect a Lock-up House in the Black Rock and the Association
agreed to meet again on the 17 Mar 1783 to dine together at Conway's and that Viscount
Ranelagh would take the chair that day.
Byrnes Arms, Blackrock 9 Dec 1783 - A meeting to elect a new committee.
Jennets Tavern, Blackrock 1 Nov 1787 - Further solutions made.
They offered a reward to anyone who would prosecute to conviction any person guilty of
robbery upon the Black-rock road from Dublin to Dunleary, Bullock, Dalkey, Rochestown,
Cabinteely and Loughlinstown and also from Donnybrook to Loughlinstown.
Nicholas Lawless, Bart was appointed treasurer and Rev Dr Burrowes was appointed
secretary. They further resolved to print notices in the Dublin Chronical, Evening Post, the
Hue and Cry as well as Saunders Newsletter.
McQuignons, Blackrock 23 Sep 1789 they met at 3PM and dined at 4:30pm.
By 1806 they were known as the Rathdown Association, the chair no longer rotated and
W A Minchin was chairman that year.
Committee Members
1782 William Ogilvie - Chairman
Isaac Espinasse
Robert Byrne
John Latouche
1783 Christopher Deey – Chairman
1783 Viscount Ranelagh - Chairman
1782 - 1784 Mr Justice William Beckford - Secretary
1787 Nick Lawless – Treasurer
1787 Rev Dr Burrowes – Secretary
Reported Crimes
1783 Peter Wilson of Mount Druid had his gardens broken into and two fields
of vegetables lifted.
1787 Lady Lisle had her house broken into. Curtains and cushions stolen, the
material pattern was very unusual and was described in detail.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – March 2021